Australasia
NZ Direct Capital closes Fund IV
New Zealand private equity and venture capital investor Direct Capital has announced the close of its Direct Capital IV fund at NZ$325 million ($250 million), well above the fund's NZ$250 million ($175 million) target.
Oz media rebates may help PE investees
Rebates announced by the Australian government for the next two years on the license fees that commercial free-to-air broadcasters pay to the state may prove a lifeline to hard-pressed private equity investors in the sector. Australia’s channels Seven,...
CHAMP's Manassen Foods ready for IPO
Australian buyout firm CHAMP Private Equity is preparing to appoint advisors for a tentative initial public offering of Manassen Foods, a supplier of food brands including Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, Carr's Water Crackers and the Margaret River Dairy Company.
Affinity Loscam IPO gathers speed
Valuation up, trade sale possible
CHAMP's Study Group International mulls IPO
CHAMP Private Equity-owned Australian education services provider Study Group International is reportedly exploring a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in June, and has appointed Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse as joint lead managers.
NAB invests WOW
National Australia Bank Integrated Capital Solutions, NAB’s private equity unit, has invested a substantial, though undisclosed, amount in WOW Sight & Sound, a Queensland-based electronics and AV retailer.
Starfish, Innovation back Australia’s Audinate
Australian VCs Starfish Capital and Innovation Capital have led a A$4 million ($3.6 million) new funding round for their investee Audinate Pty Ltd., a digital networking solutions developer.
PEP powers up control
Greenspark secures 52.4% of Energy Developments
Archer denies Rebel Sport IPO delay
Australian private equity firm Archer Capital denied reports of delays in its planned exit of its majority-owned investee Rebel Sport Ltd., the largest sports goods shop chain in Australia, through a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange by the end...
Private equity now in Oz rugby scrum
The resolution of the hotly-contested licensing of the new fifth Australian Super 15 rugby club known as the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), owned by the Melbourne Rebels consortium, has kicked off speculation that private equity will be a new player to...
PEP, Unitas staying in Independent Liquor
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital-controlled Independent Liquor, New Zealand’s manufacturer/distributor of alcohol beverages, moved to deny reports that it was likely to be acquired by Australia’s largest supermarket chain operator,...
NPS goes shopping in Sydney
South Korea’s National Pension Service has completed its bid for Aurora Place a 44-story office building known as one of the landmarks in Sydney’s central business district, for KRW750 billion ($660 million).
Kotak, Mahindra invest Oz aerospace
Indian private equity player Kotak Private Equity Group, in partnership with local conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. through its recently-formed Mahindra Aerospace Pvt Ltd. unit, has taken majority stakes in two Australian aerospace businesses: parts...
MGPA buys Clerical Medical portfolio
Macquarie-backed private equity real estate investment advisory firm MGPA has paid £52.5 ($85 million) to buy Lands Improvement Holdings plc (LIH) in the UK, from Clerical Medial Investment Group, part of the Lloyds Banking Group.
Future Fund may join CPP IB, OTPP on Transurban
Australian SWF the Future Fund has announced that it is in discussions with North American institutional investors Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan over potentially joining their bid for local toll road operator...
Australia tax office may hit investments
The Australian Tax Office has made a draft determination stating that in some cases profits from the disposal of assets by private equity firms can be classed as taxable income.
Lend Lease Corp plans Oz distressed real estate fund
Australian construction and property management solutions company Lend Lease Corp has unveiled plans for a new A$400 million ($366 million) private equity fund targeting a range of commercial properties, from office buildings to shopping centers, currently...
Asian SWFs get real
Real estate commitments on the up
Australian Catholic Super invests Partners Group, Lexington
The Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund (ACSRF) – which recently changed its name from the Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund – has reportedly made two new private equity commitments of A$50 million ($46.3 million).
Anchorage seeks share in Mitre 10
Sydney-based private equity firm Anchorage Capital is seeking to buy a 40-49% stake in Mitre 10 Australia Ltd., a struggling hardware supply chain with more than 400 outlets across Australia.
CHAMP Ventures invests TSMarine
In the latest in a series of Southeast Asian oil and gas offshore servicing deals, CHAMP Ventures, the specialist mid-market arm of Australia’s CHAMP group, has acquired the Asia Pacific businesses of financially distressed Scottish parent TSMarine...
PEP lifts Energy Developments bid
Leading Australian buyout player Pacific Equity Partners has reportedly increased its bid for Queensland-headquartered Energy Developments Ltd, which has been seeking a buyer since July 2008, to some A$431 million ($395 million), seeking to acquire the...