Asia
Japan's Advantage to launch $400m Asia fund
Japanese mid-market GP Advantage Partners is looking to raise a $400 million fund targeting investments opportunities in Asia ex-Japan.
Q&A: ICG's Christopher Heine
Whether it is mezzanine for buyouts or growth financing for family businesses, Christopher Heine, head of Asia Pacific at Intermediate Capital Group, wants to be seen as a partner rather than just another capital provider
Fund restructuring: The waiting game
The message has always been: Look at what’s happening in the US and Europe to get an idea of what is likely to happen in Asia. The follow-up question: Okay, but when? The answer: Soon, but not yet.
LPs positive on Asia, weakening on China - survey
LPs are becoming more positive on Asia Pacific as they see an improved risk-reward profile in several markets, but their outlook on China has worsened compared to three years ago, according to a survey.
KKR Asia head Joe Bae to move back to US
Joe Bae, who moved to Hong Kong 10 years ago to set up KKR’s Asia business, will return to the US in the summer. He will continue to lead the firm’s regional operations as managing partner of KKR Asia.
Baring Asia agrees its largest-ever buyout
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to buy Vistra Group, a leading global provider of company formation, trust, corporate and fund administration services, in what is expected to be its largest-ever deal.
CalPERS, QIC agree $764m Asia infrastructure partnership
Australia-based QIC has teamed up with California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to create a A$1 billion ($764 million) Asia-Pacific focused infrastructure partnership.
US digital payment firm raises $28m for Asia expansion
US-based online payment system developer Ripple Labs is looking to expand in Asia on the back of a $28 million Series A round provided by investors including IDG Capital Partners and AME Cloud Ventures.
PAG targets $3b for second Asia fund
PAG Asia Capital has launched its second pan-regional fund and is looking to raise $3 billion. The GP, which is led by Weijian Shan, formerly of TPG Capital, closed its maiden fund at $2.5 billion in 2012.
TPG, PAG-owned DTZ to buy Cushman & Wakefield for $2b
DTZ, a property services provider owned by TPG Capital, PAG Asia Capital and co-investor Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), has agreed to buy industry peer Cushman & Wakefield for an enterprise value of $2 billion.
CVC adds to Japan team
CVC Capital Partners has boosted its Japan team with two hires from domestic GP Advantage Partners. Atsushi Akaike and Yukinori Sugiyama have joined as partner and senior managing director, respectively.
OPIC seeks fundraising proposals from emerging markets GPs
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance institution (DFI) backed by the US government, has issued a call for proposals from private equity fund managers raising funds for emerging markets.
Bamboo Finance reaches $31m first close on financial inclusion fund
Impact private equity investor Bamboo Finance has reached a $31 million first close on its second financial inclusion-focused fund with commitments from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA-CREF) and AXA-IM.
LPs remain loyal to Asia Alternatives
New York State Common Retirement Fund (NYSCRF) made its first direct China commitment in 2011, investing $100 million in Hony Capital’s fifth fund. Over the preceding years, the LP fashioned a more targeted Asia strategy, complementing its participation...
Two sides of a stock market boom
April is barely 20 days old and the capital generated through share placements and sell-downs by PE investors is already at its third-highest quarterly level in two years. That’s what happens when public markets go into overdrive.
First quarter analysis: Slow start
Slower investment in the first quarter is either an historical norm or a worrying sign; fundraising flies by for the few, the majority still struggle; Asia’s exit bonanza comes to a sudden stop as trade sales weaken
Fund-of-funds: Creatures great and small
Global fund-of-funds are looking to scale up and become more diversified, while many of their smaller counterparts are pursuing niche strategies. Is the model in a state of decline or a state of revolution?
Cultivating Asia carve-outs
Private equity investors agreed or completed nearly 200 buyouts in Asia last year, according to AVCJ Research. Roughly one quarter of these were carve-outs from corporate owners. South Korea, where domestic conglomerates are under pressure to divest non-core...
Asia Alternatives raises $1.8b for funds, separate accounts
Asia Alternatives Management has closed $1.8 billion in new commitments from LPs, comprising $1 billion for co-mingled fund-of-funds and $800 million in separately managed accounts.
Texas County & District re-ups for RRJ Capital's third fund
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) will invest $50 million in RRJ Capital’s third fund, which launched earlier this year and is understood to be targeting at least $4 billion.
Sebastiaan van den Berg leaves HarbourVest
Sebastiaan van den Berg, Asia-based managing director with HarbourVest Partners, has left the firm after 10 years.
Blackstone spins out Asia corporate advisory business
The Blackstone Group has spun out its Hong Kong-based corporate advisory business to Comprador, a new outfit led by Anthony Steains, the former head of Blackstone Advisory Partners Asia (BAPA).
VIDEO: Navis Capital Partners' Rodney Muse
Nothing is off limits now when LPs are conducting due diligence on private equity firms as investors respond to issues such as regulatory change, according to Rodney Muse, co-founder and managing partner of Navis Capital Partners
Baring Asia closes debut real estate fund
Baring Private Equity Asia’s real estate affiliate has closed its debut fund with $365 million in commitments. The first two investments have also been completed in South Korea and the Philippines, respectively.