Australasia
Blumont receives $200m injection to support Discovery Metals investment
Blumont Group has received $200 million in new funding from New York-based investment firm Platinum Partners, half of which will be used to buy convertible bonds in Australian copper miner Discovery Metals, previously a target of Chinese private equity...
Australia’s CPA rejects $2.6b takeover bid from CPPIB, Dexus
The Commonwealth Property Office Fund (CPA) has rejected a A$2.7 billion ($2.6 billion) takeover bid from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Dexus Property Group (DXS) to acquire the trust's Australian office portfolio.
OzForex shares jump on debut following $416m IPO
OzForex Group - an Australian online foreign exchange services provider backed by The Carlyle Group, Accel Partners and Macquarie Group - saw its shares jump nearly 30% on its first day of trading following a A$440 million ($416 million) IPO.
Matrix, Valara invest $150m in New Zealand's Xero
New Zealand-based online accounting software company Xero has raised a NZ$180 million ($150 million) round from existing backers Matrix Capital Management and Valara Ventures. The transaction was priced at $15.10 per share for 9.92 million shares - representing...
Australia’s IFM consolidates private markets platform
Industry Funds Management (IFM) has merged its private equity and private assets groups into one team, creating a new investment platform to be headed by current head of the private assets division, Phillip Bower.
AVCAL names Yasser El-Ansary as CEO
The Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) has chosen Yasser El-Ansary as its new CEO, effective from November 20. The appointment follows last month's resignation of Katherine Woodthorpe after seven years in the role.
Australia’s Ironbridge completes Bravura take-private
Ironbridge Capital has completed the take-private of Australia-based financial services administrator Bravura Solutions after minority shareholders approved a deal that values the company around A$173 million ($158 million).
Blackstone buys Sydney home retail center - report
The Blackstone Group has reportedly bought the Home HQ North Shore shopping center from Charter Hall Retail REIT for A$72.5 million ($68.35 million).
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.
Australia’s Wolseley exits magazine publisher to trade buyer
Wolseley Private Equity has completed its second exit in a month with the sale of Australian magazine publisher nextmedia to Forum Media Group.
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...
Australia’s Ironbridge alters LP secondary exit proposal
Ironbridge Capital’s LPs will not be obliged to commit capital to a new fund as a condition of participation in a vehicle set up by the Australian GP to absorb assets held by its first two funds. AVCJ understands that the proposal has been amended so...
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
PE-backed OzForex plans $413m IPO
OzForex Group - an Australian online foreign exchange services provider backed by The Carlyle Group, Accel Partners and Macquarie Group - plans to raise $440 million in its Australian IPO scheduled for October 11.
Allegro targets $188m for Australasia distress fund
Allegro Funds is raising a A$200 million ($188 million) vehicle that will make turnaround investments in distressed Australian and New Zealand companies.
Gresham PE exits Tasmanian Walking Company
Gresham Private Equity has exited Australian tour firm Tasmanian Walking Company (TWC) to Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey. The financial details were not disclosed.
Billabong drops Altamont for Oaktree, Centerbridge rescue
Australian surfwear company Billabong had accepted a refinancing plan from Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners, walking away from a previous deal with a consortium led by Altamont Capital Partners and replacing top management.
Archer Capital revives interest in NZ's Abano Healthcare
Archer Capital obtained a five-month standstill agreement with shareholders of New Zealand's Abano Healthcare, potentially allowing time for a new takeover bid to come together after its latest effort was rejected earlier this week.
Ironbridge's creative liquidity solution
Stapled secondaries and GP restructurings have become common parlance as Asia's private equity investors grapple with a challenging fundraising environment, even though talk still overshadows action. In each case, new investors come in to replace old,...
PE-backed Australia pub fund targets IPO - report
Australian Pub Fund, which is backed by M.H. Carnegie & Co. and Australian superannuation fund Sunsuper, is said to planning an IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Australia’s Ironbridge offers LPs secondary exit route
Ironbridge Capital has launched a hybrid structure for its latest fundraising, with investors in the Australian GP’s first two funds being given the opportunity to exit their positions or roll over into a new vehicle that will continue to manage the...
New Zealand's Pencarrow acquires Bell Tea & Coffee
Pencarrow Private Equity has bought Bell Tea & Coffee Company (BTCC), New Zealand’s oldest tea enterprise, from supermarket chain Foodstuffs. Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is coming in as a significant co-investor, while BTCC’s senior management...
ADIA buys Australia hotel portfolio
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has bought Tourism Asset Holdings (TAHL), Australia’s largest hotel owner. The deal will see the Middle East sovereign wealth fund assume control of 31 Accor-operated properties in major cities.
Australia's Wolseley targets $279m for Fund III
Wolseley Private Equity is targeting A$300 million ($279 million) for its third fund, which will invest in small to mid-size privately-owned businesses in Australia and New Zealand. The GP expects to see considerable opportunities in this space as founders...