LPs
Temasek sees portfolio hit record high of $199b
Temasek Holdings saw its portfolio hit a record high of S$275 billion ($199 billion) for the 12 months ended March, but the Singapore government-controlled investment fund warned that the global economy is still plagued by uncertainties.
Frontier markets: Late to the boom
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar are among the last frontier markets in Asia but well positioned to benefit from accelerating interest in the ASEAN region. Private equity success will require a nimble approach
China's CIC ups alternatives exposure, posts positive return
China Investment Corporation (CIC) increased its alternatives exposure by a few percentage points to 37.24% for the year ended December 2016 as its international portfolio rebounded from a loss in 2015 to post an investment return of 6.22%.
GIC posts weakest return in eight years, warns of uncertainty ahead
GIC Private warned of years of uncertainty ahead as the Singapore sovereign wealth fund announced its weakest investment performance since the global financial crisis.
US LPs & co-investment: Risk appetite
There are various practical reasons - concerning legal, oversight and human reasons - why US pension funds are not as aggressive as their Canadian peers in private equity. A change in mindset would also be helpful
US pension funds & PE: Public service remit
US public pension funds are active investors in private equity, but their asset allocation policies are influenced by stakeholders’ input and limited internal resources, as well as the desire for returns
Japanese LPs: Building consensus
Japanese institutional investors are taking their time with decisions about launching alternative investment programs. Strong support from internal stakeholders is a key consideration
LP interview: Verlinvest
Verlinvest has built strong consumer sector presence in Asia through PE fund commitments and direct deals. Nicholas Cator, an executive director at the family office, says the latter are more important than the former
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...
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.