LPs
Japanese LPs' PE programs slowed by internal resistance - AVCJ Forum
Japanese institutional investors are increasingly interested in private equity, but investment programs are often slow to get off the ground due to an innate aversion to risk among internal stakeholders.
Korea's NPS boosts alternatives allocation to 11.4%
The National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) continued its steady growth in alternatives exposure, with its allocation increasing from 10.7% to 11.4% over the course of 2016 – which equates to additional capital of KRW9 trillion ($7.9 billion) – as total...
Japanese LPs: The end of the beginning
Japan’s GPIF has finally signaled its readiness to invest in alternative assets. Though contributions will likely be slow to come and limited at first, the barest hint of its intentions has wide-ranging ramifications
China's NSSF sees returns plunge in 2016
China’s National Council for Social Security Fund (NSSF), the largest pension fund in the country, saw its investment return decline to 1.73% in 2016 from 15.19% the previous year, largely due to losses on fixed income products.
Asia fundraising: Demand and supply
Capital is pouring into the asset class, globally and in Asia, to the benefit of brand-name buyout managers. Deploying a large fund in Asia means squeezing as much deal flow as possible out of each jurisdiction
PE and Islamic finance: Underlying themes
Encouraging trends in population, social mobility, commodities, technology, and governance standards are converging on Islamic finance. PE plays a small role with strong upside in Asia
Fund focus: Lyfe attracts a diversified following for Fund II
Having been supported by fund-of-funds when raising its first China healthcare vehicle, Lyfe Capital has added pension funds, endowments and family offices to its $420 million second fund
Asia Alternatives gets $100m from Minnesota SBI
Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) has committed to $100 million to Asia Alternatives’ fifth fund-of-funds, having recently increased its exposure to the region through vehicles managed by Warburg Pincus and KKR.
LP interview: Ekuinas
Ekuinas represents a mixed bag, serving as GP and LP and pursuing social and economic objectives. CEO Syed Yasir Arafat Syed Abd Kadir explains how the group is making a difference in Malaysian private equity
IFC proposes $40m commitment to Kedaara's second India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of up to $40 million to the second India-focused fund of Kedaara Capital.
CPPIB's Asia PE portfolio grows 24% to reach $9.9b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) increased its exposure to Asian private equity by almost one quarter over the 12 months ended March 2017. The portfolio reached C$13.4 billion ($9.9 billion) as the pension plan made five direct investments...
Korea's KIC boosts alternatives exposure to $15.1b
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) hiked its alternatives allocation from 12.4% to 13.7% - reaching $15.1 billion - over the course of 2016 as the overall portfolio posted a positive return following an investment loss in 2015.
Highland closes Asia, US healthcare fund at $147m
Highland Capital Management has raised approximately $147 million for an Asia and North America-focused healthcare fund, having received an anchor LP commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS).
Japan fundraising: Middle market momentum
Japan’s buyout space has been thrust into the spotlight following a flurry of fundraising activity by domestic private equity firms. Can the middle market retain its sweet spot status?
LP interview: New Zealand Superannuation Fund
New Zealand Superannuation Fund believes it has turned its far flung location into an advantage, making decisions away from the mainstream investor community and plotting a differentiated course in alternatives
New York State Common backs KKR's third Asian fund
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), the third-largest pension fund in the US, has committed $275 million to KKR’s third Asian fund, which has an institutional hard cap of $8.5 billion.
LPs play the long game on Indonesia - AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors are keen to increase their exposure to Indonesia but the relative immaturity of the local market continues to be a deterrent, LPs told the AVCJ Indonesia Forum.
Adveq agrees sale to Schroders
Adveq, a global fund-of-funds that deploys $100-200 million every year in Asia, has agreed to an acquisition by UK-listed asset manager Schroders.
Neuberger Berman launches onshore China unit
Neuberger Berman has established an onshore investment management business in China that is expected to enable the firm to distribute private fund products to local clients.
Indonesia's GP landscape: Slim pickings
While the number of GPs active in Indonesian venture capital has mushroomed in recent years, there has been no change on the private equity side. The market suffers from talent and perception issues
Japan's GPIF makes call for alternatives managers
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has made its first call for applications from alternatives managers, with a view to backing fund-of-funds across private equity, infrastructure and real estate.
NZ Super joins $172m investment in Kiwibank
New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZ Super) has participated in a NZ$247 million ($172 million) investment in Kiwibank, a banking and finance services provider controlled by New Zealand Post.
Australia's First Super halts PE investments
First Super, an Australian pension fund that represents workers in the timber, pulp and paper and furniture and joinery industries, has suspended its PE investment program over concerns about poor labor practices in portfolio companies.
IFC set to re-up as LeapFrog seeks $800m for Fund III
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed an investment of up to $25 million in LeapFrog Investments’ emerging markets-focused third fund, which is targeting as much as $800 million.