LPs
Malaysia’s EPF eyes more PE opportunities
Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) plans to increase its private equity commitments in 2013, with a particular interest in regional co-investment opportunities.
New Jersey commits $500m to Blackstone’s debut Asia real estate fund
New Jersey Division of Investment plans to commit $500 million to The Blackstone Group’s debut Asia real estate fund. The vehicle’s existence was confirmed last December when Tony James, Blackstone’s president, told a conference that it was a “golden...
Pay to play: Australia's fee debate
The debate over private equity fees in Australia is a hotly contested domestic issue, but its long-term implications say much about how the asset class might evolve at a global level
CPPIB prefers India to China as infrastructure play
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) expects to make more progress in Indian infrastructure as opportunities in the sector in China are limited by the availability of cheap finance, which enables local governments to develop projects without foreign...
Neuberger Berman has final close on $1.1b global co-invest fund
Neuberger Berman Group has reached a final close of $1.1 billion on its second global co-investment fund, NB Strategic Co-Investment Partners Fund II (NBCIP II). The original target was $750 million.
Asia has more than one third of global sovereign assets – study
Asia accounts for 39% of the $5.2 trillion in sovereign wealth fund (SWF) assets globally, with China alone holding $1.49 trillion, according to a new study.
Indonesia fundraising: Reality check
Few Indonesia-focused GPs that sprung up in recent years have made headway. It points to a still immature local market and recognition amongst LPs that they can get exposure to the country in other ways
Tougher this time
A number of PE executives - old enough to have seen several cycles – have commented on how difficult the fundraising environment is at present. “I thought my last fundraising [in 2004] was very difficult. Now that I am raising my current fund, the...
Texas County & District, Oregon commit to CDH Fund V
CDH has secured commitments for its fifth fund from both Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) and Oregon Investment Council. The US pension funds have agreed to invest $50 million and $75 million, respectively, in the vehicle, which launched...
New York State Common backs RRJ Capital
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF) has committed $300 million to RRJ Capital, the Hong Kong-based GP set up by Richard Ong, formerly of Goldman Sachs and Hopu Investment Management.
Australia webinar: Consistency matters
Australia's private equity industry has seen robust deal flow in recent years and LPs remain committed to the asset class, albeit to a fewer number of GPs. Industry participants expect this to continue
Washington State to invest $300m in Affinity Fund IV
Affinity Equity Partners has secured a $300 million commitment for its fourth pan-Asia fund from Washington State Investment Board. It is three times the size of the US pension system’s investment in the GP’s previous vehicle.
AVCJ launches iOS app
Those readers who were around 10 years ago are likely to have stark memories of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, the disease that struck fear into Asia's communities and temporarily laid waste to economies. Needless to say, private equity and...
Global access: Australian LPs and international PE
Australia's superannuation industry is still embroiled in a costs debate as funds decide whether a private equity strategy makes economic sense. Those sticking with the asset class are looking to go offshore
NZ Super appoints unlisted mandates manager
New Zealand Superannuation Fund has appointed Chris Jagger as manager with responsibility for unlisted mandates. He was most recently an investment director with Lloyds Development Capital in London and has previously worked at Future Fund, GI Partners,...
Virginia pension fund backs Fortress’ Japan distress vehicle
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has committed to $50 million to Fortress Investment Group’s Japan Opportunity Fund II, a distress-focused vehicle that closed last December at its hard cap of JPY130 billion ($1.65 billion).
Canada’s OMERS targets Australia
Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS), one of Canada’s big three pension funds, plans to increase its exposure to Australia through investments in infrastructure and natural resources.
AVCJ Australia webinar takes place Thursday
The opportunities and challenges facing Australian private equity will be discussed by a panel of industry experts at an AVCJ webinar on February 21. It begins at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. AEST) and will last for approximately 45 minutes. Audience members will...
A platform for private equity
A few weeks ago, I met the head of private equity of one of the largest pension funds in Asia and the world. A very impressive guy with terrific insight of the market, our conversation was great (from my standpoint) until I invited him to attend (and...
New York State Teachers shuffles PE, real estate heads
New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) has appointed John Virtanen as managing director for private equity. He moves over from the system’s property portfolio, which will now be overseen by David Gillan.
SFERS hires New York State Common’s Art Wang
San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS) has appointed Art Wang as managing director for private markets, with responsibility for private equity, real estate and real assets. He joins from New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF) where...
CDH to reach $1b first close on Fund V by February
CDH Investments is expected to reach a first close of $1 billion on its latest fund by Chinese New Year. The Chinese GP has an overall target of $2 billion for CDH Fund V, which launched in September 2012.
PSERS to invest in Morgan Stanley PE Asia’s fourth fund
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has received a commitment of up to $100 million for its fourth fund from Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). The pension system previously invested in global funds launched by Morgan...
BlackRock appoints head of alternatives for North Asia
BlackRock has appointed Jeong Hoon Lee as head of its alternative investment strategy group for North Asia.