Industry
CIC doubles alternatives exposure, posts loss for 2011
China Investment Corporation (CIC) doubled its exposure to private equity, direct investments and hedge funds in 2011 but market volatility saw the sovereign wealth fund’s global portfolio retract by 4.3%, contributing to its first-ever annual loss. Net...
China allows insurers to double private equity exposure
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has allowed insurers to invest up to 10% of their total assets in private equity. Investment in the asset class was previously capped at 5%. The move is expected to see $50 billion of fresh capital injected...
Baring PE India could raise $700m fourth fund – report
Baring Private Equity Partners India is reportedly considering the launch of a fourth fund by 2014 that would target $500-700 million. The vehicle’s main focus would be high-growth sectors.
America's Skybridge to launch $500m Asia vehicle
US alternative investment manager SkyBridge Capital is planning to launch an Asia-focused fund next year worth $250-500 million, according to the firm’s founder.
Clearwater reaches final close of $575m on fourth fund
Clearwater Capital Partners has closed its latest Asia credit and special situations fund at $575 million. It is the first time the private equity firm has gone to the market since 2007, when it raised a greater-than-expected $900 million for Clearwater...
VIDEO: Archer Capital's Greg Minton
Australian fund managers need to go offshore to raise capital – but only if they are targeting large funds, says Greg Minton, managing director at Archer Capital. “In fund IV we got about A$740 million from the domestic market and about the same again...
Australia's lower mid-market retains its appeal
Successful fundraises by CHAMP Ventures and Archer Capital Growth Funds suggest that foreign LPs are willing to fill the gap left by Australian institutions. Performance and consistency remain the key factors
The US invasion: Competition rises among Asia PE legal counsel
A host of US law firms are boosting their Asian operations with a view to offering private equity clients a full suite of services, from fund formation to capital markets. Is there enough business to go around?
James Fong joins Mayer Brown JSM as partner
Global law firm Mayer Brown JSM has appointed James Fong as partner in its corporate and securities practice. He joins from Hogan Lovells, where he became a partner in 2010.
New software helps LPs with benchmarking
EFront has launched an LP-focused performance and risk optimization solution that allows users to generate their own custom-weighted benchmarks.
Kerogen Capital raises $1b for debut energy fund
Kerogen Capital has reached a final close in excess of $1 billion for its debut energy-focused fund. Investors include North American foundations and endowments, family offices, fund-of-funds, an affiliate of a Middle East sovereign wealth fund, and investors...
FountainVest reaches first close of $1b on second China fund
FountainVest Partners has reached a first close of just over $1 billion on its second China-focused fund. The vehicle has only been in the market for about four months, but it is already nearing its full target of $1.25 billion. Sources familiar with...
Atlantic-Pacific Capital appoints new CEO
Mark Bourgeois has been appointed CEO and president of Atlantic-Pacific Capital, the global placement agent and advisory firm. He was previously CEO of Credit Suisse’s asset management group in the Americas, with responsibility for funds in which the...
Chinese insurers to outsource investment management
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) will allow insurance companies to outsource their investment management businesses to brokerages and fund houses as part of efforts to diversify investment channels.
Warburg sues Titan Petrochemicals in Hong Kong
Warburg Pincus has sued portfolio company Titan Petrochemicals Group and some of its executives in Hong Kong’s High Court, citing misrepresentation and breaches of contract. This comes as the debt-laden shipping and oil storage firm continues talks with...
Coller closes new secondaries fund above target at $5.5b
Coller Capital has reached a final close of $5.5 billion on its latest global secondaries fund. The new vehicle is larger than its predecessor, which closed in 2007 at $4.8 billion, and above the initial fundraising target of $5 billion. The fund has...
Identifying good GPs is biggest LP challenge in SE Asia - AVCJ Singapore Forum
Finding the right fund manager is the greatest challenge facing LPs investing into Southeast Asia, according to panelists at the AVCJ Forum in Singapore on Thursday. The second greatest challenge is ensuring they remain the right managers.
China Mining United to raise second investment fund
China Mining United Fund (CMUF), a Beijing-based private investment company focuses on mining-related investments, is planning to raise a second fund to target offshore iron-ore and metal companies.
Indonesia caps foreign ownership of local banks at 40%
Foreign ownership of Indonesian banks will be capped at 40%, although exceptions will be made for listed banks with strong financial health and high levels of tier-one capital. On this basis, it appears that DBS Group’s $7.2 billion bid for Bank Danamon...
Saratoga aims for differentiation
When Saratoga Capital was preparing to launch its third fund in July 2011, the elephant in the room was Northstar Pacific Partners. A few months earlier Northstar closed its own third fund at $820 million. Would LPs still be keen on when Saratoga came...
Hony bets on China convertibility experiment
Hony Capital is set to become the first private equity player to enter the Shenzhen-Qianhai new business zone, a pilot project for greater renminbi convertibility. John Zhao, Hony’s CEO, said the company may raise its next renminbi-denominated fund in...
Leopard Capital reaches $20m first close on Haiti fund
Southeast Asia-focused frontier investor Leopard Capital has reached a first close of $20 million on the first dedicated Haiti fund raised since the 2010 earthquake. The final target is $40-75 million.
China secondaries: Fresh start or false start?
China’s PE Secondary Market Development Alliance is meant to facilitate the trading of LP interests in renminbi funds. The absence of local expertise, portfolio transparency and mature LPs are obstacles to this.
Bain closes second Asia fund at $2.3b
A host of leading PE firms is in the market, seeking to raise pan-Asia funds of $2 billion or more. Last week, Bain Capital became the first to cross the finish line. Its second regional fund closed at $2.3 billion, roughly halfway between the initial...