Europe
State banks launch Sino-French fund
The role of Chinese PE firms in outbound investment is poorly defined: In the absence of clear guidelines, participants must win approval from every single regulator. One way to avoid the red tape is by partnering with a government-backed entity, which...
China investment in Europe surges in second quarter
China’s outbound direct investment reached $24 billion in the second quarter of 2012, up 67% year-on-year, according to a research published by Sino-European private equity firm A Capital. Investment in Europe – which accounts for 48% of total deals...
China, Russia sovereign funds invest in forestry firm
China and Russia’s sovereign wealth funds will invest $200 million for a minority stake in Russia Forest Products. This will be the first investment channeled through the Russia-China Investment Fund, a joint private-equity fund established by China...
MGPA announces first close on Asia real estate fund
MGPA, a private equity real estate investment firm, has held a first close on a EUR500 million ($639 million) Asia property fund targeting German investors. The vehicle has so far received EUR85 million ($109 million) from three German institutions.
CDB forms $189m cross-border fund with France
China Development Bank (CDB) has teamed up French state-owned bank Caisse des Dépôts to create a EUR150 million ($189 million) fund to promote the international expansion of French and Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs). Each party will...
Shandong Heavy invests $922m in PE-backed Kion
Weichai Power, a Chinese automotive and equipment manufacturer owned by Shandong Heavy Industry, will invest EUR738 million ($922 million) in Kion, the German forklift truckmaker backed by KKR and Goldman Sachs. It is the largest Chinese direct investment...
Goldman, KKR in talks with Chinese firm over Kion stake sale
Goldman Sachs and KKR are said to be in talks with Shandong Heavy Industry about selling a 25% stake in German forklift truck manufacturer Kion Group.
Mandarin Capital nears $627m first close for second fund
Sino-European private equity firm Mandarin Capital Partners is nearing a EUR500 million ($627 million) first close for its second fund. The vehicle is expected to reach a final close of EUR1 billion in the second half of 2013.
Australia's QIC to pick up Swedish PE interests - report
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) is reportedly set to buy almost 10% of a EUR1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) portfolio of private equity interests being sold by Swedish insurance group Länsförsäkringar.
Mandarin Capital warned CDB ahead of Suntech fraud scandal
Sino-Italian PE player Mandarin Capital Partners advised China Development Bank (CDB) as early as three years ago that it shouldn't invest in Suntech Power Holdings' southern Italy initiative due to concerns about fraud. The Chinese solar company has...
Hony, GCS named preferred bidders for Dexia unit – report
Hony Capital has teamed up with GCS Capital, a PE firm founded by former investment banker Guocang Huan, to buy the asset management arm Dexia in a deal worth EUR500 million ($615 million). The Franco-Belgian financial group is one of the biggest victims...
Munich Private Equity Partners opens office in Shanghai
Munich Private Equity Partners (MPEP) has opened an office in Shanghai as it looks to increase investment allocations to Asian markets.
BlackRock to acquire Swiss Re Private Equity Partners
BlackRock is buying Swiss Re Private Equity Partners (SRPEP), the European private equity and infrastructure fund-of-funds arm of Swiss Re. The transaction will allow BlackRock’s existing FoFs group – BlackRock Private Equity Partners - to extend...
Fosun forms strategic collaboration with Denmark's Axcel
Fosun International, the investment arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group, has announced a strategic collaboration with Danish private equity fund Axcel, in a move to identify business opportunities in both China and Europe. The agreement is expected...
CVC to cut Formula One stake to 30% after Singapore IPO
CVC Capital Partners will reportedly reduce its shareholding in Formula One to around 30% following the motor racing business’ planned IPO in Singapore, which aims to raise up to $3 billion.
CVC sells $1.6b stake in Formula One ahead of Singapore IPO
CVC Capital has sold a $1.6 billion stake in Formula One Group to BlackRock, Waddell & Reed and Norges Bank Investment Management ahead of its planned IPO in Singapore.
Russia builds PE ties with China
Russia and China’s sovereign wealth funds have joined forces to boost cross-border trade. For Moscow, it is a much-needed opportunity to diversify the economy and attract more foreign investment
Globis leads $3.6m Series A round for quiz developer
Globis, the Japanese venture capital firm, has led a GBP2.3 million ($3.6 million) Series A round of funding for Quipper, a UK quiz applications manufacturer. Benesse, a Japanese education and publishing company, and Atomico, the VC firm led by Skype...
Thailand’s CPF prepares bid for Permira-backed Birds Eye
Thai food manufacturer Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) looks set to join the various private equity houses that have submitted bids for Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo.
Hong Kong’s ADM buys stake in Prista Oil
ADM Capital and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have provided EUR48 million ($62 million) of replacement capital for a 30% stake in Bulgaria’s Prista Oil Group.
Bright Food adds Weetabix to foreign portfolio
China's Bright Food Group through a considerable amount of trial and error before sealing its first overseas acquisition last year, purchasing a 75% stake in Manassen Foods from CHAMP Private Equity for an enterprise valuation of $525 million.
Lion to make 5x money on Weetabix sale to Bright Food
Consumer investor Lion Capital has sold 60% of UK-based cereal company Weetabix to China’s Bright Food Group, in a deal that values the company at GPB1.2 billion ($1.9 billion), including debt. The move comes weeks after the buyer denied reports that...
Belgian, Chinese sovereign funds to launch joint vehicle
China Investment Corporation (CIC) is launching a small fund to help domestic companies make investments in Europe in partnership with Belgian Federal Holding Company and A Capital.
Actis completes full management buyout with $100m deal
The UK government is on course to recoup more than $100 million by exiting its stake in Actis. The private equity firm’s management will buy the government’s 40% holding for GBP8 million ($13 million) in cash and also hand over a portion of the carried...