Australasia
Foster's accepts SABMiller takeover bid
SABMiller is to acquire Australian brewing giant Foster’s Group for A$9.9 billion ($10.2 billion). The takeover comes three months after Foster's Group rejected an A$9.5 billion bid by the UK label, branding it as too low.
Updated: TPG’s Australia head moves to Singapore
TPG has relocated Ben Gray, head of its Australia operations, to Singapore from Melbourne. He has taken on the role of managing partner and group head for Australia, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. Stephen Peel remains the other managing partner for...
Maarten Ruijs: An enduring interest in Asia
Maarten Ruijs, managing partner & chief investment officer of CVC Asia Pacific, reflects on coping with the global economic downturn and explains why he’s in Asian private equity for the long haul
Private equity and the state
The state, particularly in Asian countries, has always played a big role in the private equity industry. While almost all growing regional economies have helped nurture PE through sovereign wealth funds – fueled by foreign exchange and other cash reserves...
CVC considers US bond issue to cover Nine Entertainment debt
CVC Asia Pacific may service Nine Entertainment’s A$3.5 billion ($3.7 billion) in debt by raising more debt from private investors in the US. It is thought that a “144A” bond issue would raise $500 million to $1 billion that would go toward reducing...
GVK seeks PE investors in Australia coal assets
GVK is in talks with several global financial institutions, including private equity firms, with a view to selling minority stakes in Australian mining assets it recently acquired from Hancock for $1.3 billion. The Indian infrastructure group needs to...
Archer, Ironbridge consider iNova Pharmaceuticals sale
Archer Capital and Ironbridge are looking to sell iNova Pharmaceuticals for A$700-850 million ($714-878 million). The private equity firms have appointed Greenhill Caliburn to advise on the sale process and would like to have a deal in place by the end...
Chinese outbound M&A: Unfamiliar territory
Ever more Chinese firms are engaging in overseas M&A, with varying degrees of success. Prospective sellers must be aware of the risks as well as the opportunities
Buyout firms structure Australia investments through Singapore
Singapore has emerged as the preferred conduit for private equity firms looking to enter and exit investments in Australia from offshore. CHAMP Private Equity and TPG are understood to be among those to have set up Singapore structures in the wake of...
AVCAL releases private equity governance code
The Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) has released a governance code designed to improve transparency in the private equity industry. The code is intended to formalize industry best practice and all AVCAL members will be...
PEP hires banks to advise on Griffin’s Foods sale – report
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has appointed investment banks to advise on the potential sale of Griffin’s Foods, a New Zealand-based snack food business. It is thought the company could be sold for up to $750 million, including debt, Reuters reported,...
KKR-backed Seven West Media looks into debt refinancing
Australia’s Seven West Media, which is part-owned by KKR, is assessing bank proposals to refinance up to A$2 billion ($2.1 billion) of debt. Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that several banks have bid to underwrite 3-5 year funding...
CVC considers refinancing options for Nine Entertainment
CVC Asia Pacific is looking into refinancing options for up to A$3.5 billion ($3.7 billion) in debt on the books of portfolio company Nine Entertainment. Sources told Reuters that – contrary to earlier reports – the private equity firm is not yet...
Japanese outbound M&A: Strategic imperative
Japanese food and beverage companies are on the acquisition trail as they seek to ease dependence on local markets. It’s a tough time for PE buyers, a great time for PE sellers
Whitehaven’s PE backers make partial exit
Three months after Australian miner Whitehaven Coal called off its auction process, the company’s two largest shareholders cut back their interest. First Reserve Corp. and AMCI International on August 31 sold 65 million shares for A$390 million ($416...
Anacacia Capital fund named world’s top performer
A vehicle launched by Australia’s Anacacia Capital has been named the top performing fund globally by Pensions and Investments magazine. Anacacia Partnership I, which closed in 2007, was judged to be the outstanding performer out of funds raised between...
Australia’s private equities continue to outperform public
Private equity in Australia outperformed public markets in the first quarter of 2011, continuing a trend that dates back nearly a year. The Australia Private Equity and Venture Capital Index (APEVC Index), published by Cambridge Associates, delivered...
PE firms sell down Whitehaven Coal stakes
First Reserve Corp., an energy-focused PE investor, and AMCI International have sold A$390 million ($416 million) of shares in Australian miner Whitehaven Coal, prompting a 5% fall in its share price on Wednesday. The partial exits come after Whitehaven...
Affinity in negotiations over Primo Smallgoods
Affinity Equity Partners is reportedly in exclusive negotiations for a controlling stake in Australian meat producer Primo Smallgoods in a deal that could value the company at up to $1 billion.
Bain buys MYOB as markets sink Sage bid
Recent turbulence in the global markets did private equity a favor last week as Bain Capital emerged as the unlikely victor in the auction for Australian accounting software firm MYOB. Bain and KKR had for several weeks been regarded as the frontrunners...
Australia pursues Myer profits offshore
No one expects the ATO to get far in its attack on TPG’s Luxembourg and Cayman entities
Bright Foods anticipates more acquisitions in Australia
China’s Bright Foods is looking to continue its buying spree in Australia following the completion of its acquisition of a 75% stake Manassen Foods. It hopes to use the market as springboard to becoming an international food producer of scale.
ANZ linked to potential acquisitions of Tokyo Star Bank, Aozora Bank
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is reportedly looking to acquire Lone Star-controlled Tokyo Star Bank or Cerberus-owned Aozora Bank.
Australian VC firms back Spinifex Pharmaceuticals
GBS Venture Partners, Brandon Capital Partners, Uniseed Management and UniQuest have participated in the Series B round of financing for Spinifex Pharmaceuticals. The Australian drug development company raised a total of $19 million, $6.5 million more...