LPs
Malaysia rising
It's been a few years since Southeast Asia, spurred by rising interest in Indonesia, emerged as the hottest region for LPs seeking private equity exposure. While the frenzy has eased recently, the region remains an attractive location, especially for...
Massachusetts PRIT has best performing PE portfolio – study
Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund has the best performing private equity portfolio among US pensions, returning 9.1% and 15.4% on a five-year and a 10-year basis, according to a study by the Private Equity Growth Capital Council...
PennSERS commits $50m to Asia Alternatives separate vehicle
Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PennSERS) has committed a further $50 million to Penn Asia Investors, a separate account managed by Asia Alternatives that focuses on opportunistic investments in funds across the region. Last year the...
OPIC calls for proposals from emerging market GPs
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance institution (DFI) backed by the US government, has made a call for proposals from GPs operating in emerging markets, including Asia.
Australia’s Future Fund hikes private equity allocation
Australia’s Future Fund increased its private equity allocation from 6.3% to 7.2% over the 12 months to September 2013 as overall assets grew to A$91.7 billion ($88.5 billion).
LP interview: Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
Jane Rowe, senior vice president at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, explains the attractions of spin-out GPs in Asia and why co-investment is an important – but not the only – consideration in manager selection
On the shoulders of giants: DFIs and first-time funds
Backing from a development finance institution can be the making of a first-time GP in a far-flung jurisdiction. Working with this kind of LP, however, comes with its own set of challenges
Yale trims private equity allocation
The Yale University endowment, feted among institutional investors for pioneering a portfolio management model characterized by a relatively heavy exposure to illiquid assets, has trimmed its private equity allocation for the first time since 2005.
Harvard appoints new private equity head
Harvard Management Company (HMC) - the investment arm of Harvard University - has appointed Lane MacDonald as its new managing director of private equity.
Australia’s IFM changes name, opens Tokyo office
Industry Funds Management has changed its name to IFM Investors. The move comes shortly after the Australia-headquartered group consolidated its private equity and private assets divisions into one team and as it expands its presence in global markets,...
Sovereign assets surpass $5t, Asian groups see fastest growth
Asia-based sovereign wealth funds have seen their assets under management (AUM) increase 19% since 2012, faster than any other region. Sovereign funds globally had an estimated collective AUM of $5.38 trillion as of October this year, up from $4.62 trillion...
Canada’s OPTrust opens Sydney office
Canada’s OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) has opened an office in Sydney, to focus on infrastructure and private equity investment across Asia. This is its second base outside Canada.
Axa spins off private equity unit
Axa Private Equity - now renamed Ardian - has completed its spin-out from the Axa Group in deal which values the unit at EUR510 million ($690 million).
CDC hires UTI Capital's Murugappan for Asia funds team
CDC, the UK development finance institution, has hired Alagappan Murugappan as managing director with its Asia funds team. Murugappan was previously CEO with private equity firm UTI Capital.
Japanese government panel suggests pensions shift to alternatives
A Japanese government-appointed advisory panel has suggested that the country's JPY160 trillion ($1.6 trillion) public pension system - which includes the JPY120 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) - reallocate a portion of its holdings...
Australia's ACSI names Future Fund executive as new CEO
The Australian council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has appointed Gordon Hagart, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk management at Future Fund, as its new CEO. Hagart will take over from Ann Byrne who will retire from the A$100...
Asian LPs deploy more capital in private equity – Preqin
More than 70% of Asian institutional investors have committed to at least one private equity fund so far this year and close to nine in 10 expect to allocate the same or more capital to the asset class in 2014 compared to 2013.
PE managers target diversification through greater transparency
Private equity fund managers are placing greater emphasis on transparency – specifically more frequent and detailed reporting on fund holdings and associated risk factors – as a means by which to differentiate themselves in a challenging fundraising...
Infrastructure fundraising: A beast with two heads
At one end of the market large institutional investors are looking to access Asian infrastructure through separate accounts or independently; at the other, plenty of LPs are still looking to make fund commitments
Forbidden fruit?
There used to be a time when a private equity fund buying the portfolio company of another private equity fund was a serious faux pas. Nowadays, GPs have become less shy about buying from peers, who in many cases might be selling good but un-exited assets...
Ontario Teachers keen for more Asia co-investment
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) expects to become a more active co-investor in Asia, partnering with GPs in the region that offer certain geographic or sector expertise as well as operational capabilities.
ADB to become GP
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to turn GP to enhance its investment capability, with a fund targeting climate change and renewable energy to launch next year.
CalSTRS alters allocation to favor inflation sensitive, illiquid assets
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) will recalibrate the long-term allocation targets of its $170 billion investment portfolio, placing greater emphasis on inflation-sensitive and illiquid assets at the expense of equities and...
RMB fund-of-funds: Patience is a virtue
As some global fund-of-funds struggle to raise funds, their renminbi counterparts are struggling to find a purpose – government-backed vehicles excepted. A more mature LP base should bring more demand