Australia
PEP-backed Veda Advantage targets IPO
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is hoping to raise as much as A$340 million ($326 million) through a sale of new shares as it looks to launch the Australian IPO of credit-checking firm Veda Advantage this December.
Startive Ventures-backed Freelancer targets small-cap IPO
Online jobs marketplace Freelancer.com has filed for its initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange with a view to raising A$15 million ($14.43 million). Startive Ventures owns 42% of Freelancer, chief executive Matt Barrie has 50%...
Quadrant to buy APN's share of advertising JV for $67m
Quadrant Private Equity is set to buy joint venture partner APN News & Media's interest outdoor advertising venture APN Outdoor for A$69 million ($66.5 million).
Australia’s Future Fund hikes private equity allocation
Australia’s Future Fund increased its private equity allocation from 6.3% to 7.2% over the 12 months to September 2013 as overall assets grew to A$91.7 billion ($88.5 billion).
Quadrant eyes aged care consolidation
Quadrant Private Equity completed its exit from New Zealand retirement village operator Summerset last week but demographics remain a prominent theme in the firm’s portfolio with the acquisition of Estia Health, an Australian aged-care provider.
Quadrant plans IPO for Australia’s Burson Auto Parts – report
Quadrant Private Equity is reported to be planning an IPO of Burson Auto Parts, two years after acquiring the company.
Australia’s IFM changes name, opens Tokyo office
Industry Funds Management has changed its name to IFM Investors. The move comes shortly after the Australia-headquartered group consolidated its private equity and private assets divisions into one team and as it expands its presence in global markets,...
Quadrant exits Summerset, buys Estia Health
Quadrant Private Equity has fully exited New Zealand retirement village operator Summerset via the public market, generating an estimated return multiple of more than 3.7x. In the same week, it acquired a majority stake in Australian aged-care operator...
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.
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.
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).
Creador to take 20% stake in Malaysia's GHL, back e-pay acquisition
Creador will take a 20% stake in Malaysia-based payment services provider GHL Systems through a private placement of new shares. The capital will in part be used to finance GHL’s proposed acquisition of Australian Securities Exchange-listed e-pay Asia.
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.