Asia
CPPIB's Asia private equity exposure tops $13b
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) continues to ramp up its exposure to Asian private equity, with called and uncalled commitments rising 27% to C$17.1 billion ($13.3 billion) for the 12 months ended March 2018.
JD.com invests in PE-backed Asia logistics platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com has invested $306 million in e-Shang Redwood (ESR), a private equity-backed pan-Asia logistics operator and fund manager.
Japan's Advantage closes debut Asia fund at $380m
Japanese GP Advantage Partners has closed its first Asia-focused fund with total commitments of $380 million. Investments have already been made in China, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Fund focus: HQ prepares for Asia secondary surge
Having raised $250 million for an Asia secondary fund, HQ Capital remains the only global multi-strategy firm with a vehicle dedicated to the region. It expects a significant uptick in deal flow over the next few years
Permira postpones Asia fundraise
Permira has put plans for a debut Asia fund on hold as it prioritizes managing existing portfolio companies in the region. The firm was talking to investors about raising $1.5 billion.
Deal focus: CVC targets consolidation in online trading
CVC Capital Partners is looking to replicate elements of its successful investment in IG Global with Oanda Global Corporation, an online currency trading platform positioned for substantial growth in Asia
GP profile: Intermediate Capital Group
In recent years Intermediate Capital Group has branched out beyond traditional mezzanine to embrace deal structures that have no sponsor. It sees ample opportunities in Asia’s developed markets
Baring Asia, PAI Partners buy cargo freight manager
Baring Private Equity Asia has teamed up with Europe-focused PAI Partners to acquire World Freight Company International (WFCI), which markets and manages cargo freight capacity for airlines.
Carlyle hires ex-Kingsoft CEO as senior advisor
The Carlyle Group has appointed former Kingsoft CEO Hongjiang Zhang as a senior advisor to its Asian private equity business. The move is intended to deepen the firm’s coverage of the internet and technology space.
ESG: Policy pitfalls
Environmental, social and governance management must be handled properly to leverage its promised performance improvements. Risks around poor execution cut across all aspects of private equity
HQ raises $250m for Asia secondaries fund
HQ Capital has closed an Asia-focused secondaries fund at the hard cap of $250 million as part of an oversubscribed global fundraising drive that has received $674 million in third-party commitments.
Lilly Asia leads $25m round for US-based Avedro
Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) has led a $25 million round for Avedro, a US-based ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical devices company with a view to expanding in Asia.
CVC buys currency trading platform to support Asia expansion
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire currency trading platform Oanda Global Corporation with a view to helping the company further develop its business in Asia.
EV in Asia: Easy riders
Higher scooter and motorcycle use rates in Asia suggest an opening for the region to take the lead in clean mobility. Early investors in electric two-wheelers have outlined the opportunity
CPPIB promotes Kim in Asia leadership reshuffle
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has promoted Suyi Kim to the role of senior managing director and head of Asia Pacific, along with additional changes in the firm’s Asian leadership.
Valuation standards: Counting their blessings
Asian GPs’ portfolio valuation practices remain largely opaque, despite the value of standard frameworks. LP demand will be key to moving the industry in a more transparent direction
PAG targets $4.5b for third Asian fund
PAG Asia Capital is looking to raise $4.5 billion for its third pan-regional fund, reflecting the trend among Asia’s top-tier managers to push for ever larger pools of capital.
LP interview: Hermes GPE
Hermes GPE has fine-tuned its co-investment strategy since establishing a presence in Asia. Iesan Tsai, the group’s regional head, will work with portfolio GPs or fund-less sponsors in pursuit of the right deal
1Q analysis: The inevitable slow start
Traditional buyouts slip into the shade, allowing education and technology to shine; China IPOs and secondary buyouts stay strong in a weak exit market; fundraising suffers an early-year blip
Private equity AGMs: In the spotlight
The quality of a private equity firm’s AGM says a lot about the quality of the firm itself. LPs make their assessments based on informal conversations and observations as much as what happens on stage
Ryan Shelswell to replace Chris Heine as ICG's Asia head
Ryan Shelswell has been named head of Asia Pacific at Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), succeeding Chris Heine, who will retire from the company.
Temasek, Sailing lead $114m round for Impossible Foods
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and China’s Sailing Capital have led a $114 million round for Impossible Foods, a US-based vegetarian food technology company currently expanding into Asia.
Macquarie closes Asia infra fund at $3.3b
Australia’s Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) has achieved a final close for its second Asia-focused infrastructure fund at the hard cap of $3.3 billion.
Victory Park, IFC launch emerging markets fintech fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has committed $25 million to a fund that it will co-manage with US-based Victory Park Capital. The fund will improve access to debt capital for financial technology companies in emerging markets, including Asia....