Australia
CHAMP, Headland seek to oust Miclyn directors
Headland Capital Partners and CHAMP Private Equity, majority shareholders of Miclyn Express Offshore, are looking to jettison two of the company's independent directors, saying the move would be in the interests of shareholders.
John Brakey quits as head of PE at Australia's MLC
John Brakey has resigned as head of private equity at MLC, National Australia Bank's (NAB) wealth management division. His replacement is Natalie Meyenn, who moves up from her role as chief investment officer at the PE division.
Quadrant-backed Virtus Health jumps 9% on ASX debut
Shares in Virtus Health, an Australian in-vitro fertilization company backed by Quadrant Private Equity, closed up 9% at A$6.20 on its first day of trading on the Australian Securities Exchange. The IPO had been priced at the top end of the indicative...
Regulator blocks Anacacia exit of Rafferty's to Heinz
Anacacia Capital’s sale of baby-food producer Rafferty’s Garden to H.J. Heinz has been blocked by the Australian Competition and Consumer Association (ACCC). The regulator decided that the transaction would give Heinz an unfairly dominant market position....
Australia's QIC enters US retail property market
Australian institutional investment manager QIC has made its first direct investment into the US property market after taking a position in eight regional retail malls worth $2.05 billion. QIC’s global real estate division will put in $435.6 million ($425...
Australia's PEP eyes US debt financing market
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is considering US refinancing options for several of its portfolio companies after a well received debt offering for movie theater chain Hoyts in May. The Australian GP is one of several to opt for US over domestic debt markets,...
Q&A: Pacific Equity Partners' Tony Duthie
As one of Asia’s more mature markets, Australia has a different offering to most in the regional basket. Tony Duthie, managing director at Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), discusses buyouts, leverage and co-investment
TA-owned SpeedCast acquires Australia's Pactel
TA Associates-backed SpeedCast has acquired Pactel International, an Australia-based satellite communications service provider for an undisclosed sum, as part of effort to strengthen its presence in Asia.
Billabong turns to refinancing options as buyout talks falter
Embattled Australian surfwear company Billabong has discarded the possibility of a takeover by two PE-backed suitors and is now looking at asset sales and alternative means of refinancing its debt. The private equity firms involved in the bids – Altamont...
PE firms target SingTel's Australian satellite unit
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) has put its Australian satellite unit up for sale, seeking at least A$2 billion ($1.9 billion), and a string of private equity firms and strategic investors are said to be chasing the asset.
End of an era as KKR sells Seven West
With KKR's exit from Seven West Media, the two investments that arguably defined Australia’s boom market of the mid-2000s have now entered the history books.
Silver lining: Investing in Asia's elderly
An established investment trend in developed markets, private equity players in emerging Asia are considering how they can best meet the needs of the region’s aging population
VC-backed companies lead the way in Australia R&D - study
Venture capital-backed companies in Australia spend an average 200 times more on R&D per employee than other businesses, according to a report by the Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (AVCAL).
PE-owned Australian power producer targets US debt issue – report
Alinta Energy, the Australian power producer controlled by TPG Capital, is said to be planning to raise at least $1 billion through a debt offering in the US. It joins a growing list of private equity-owned companies that are looking outside of Australia...
China's Cathay resumes pursuit of Discovery Metals
Chinese private equity firm Cathay Fortune Corporation (CFC) has made a renewed takeover bid for Australia-listed mining company Discovery Metals. The offer is the latest development in ongoing spat between CFC and Discovery Metals, whose principal asset...
AMCG invests $30m in Chevalier for Moraitis acquisition
Asia Mezzanine Capital Group (AMCG) has invested in $30 million in Chevalier International Holdings, aiding its acquisition of Australia's Moraitis, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler backed by Catalyst Investment Managers. AMCG provided the financing via...
KKR exits Australia's Seven West Media
KKR has exited its stake in Australia’s Seven West Media via the public market, raising around A$265 million ($260 million). The private equity firm invested in what was then Seven Media Group in 2006 at the height of the buyout boom, before merging with...
Quantum seeks to reclaim Intrepid Indonesian mine asset
Quantum Pacific Investment, the third-biggest shareholder in Australia's Intrepid Mines, is looking to recover some of the explorer's stake in a key Indonesian asset as it brings in a new leadership team.
Australia's Quadrant exits Virtus Health, Summerset
Quadrant Private Equity has exited its investment in fertility services provider Virtus Health via a A$339 million ($330 million) IPO, while making another partial exit from retirement village chain Summerset.
Palisade, Northleaf invest in Australian wind farm
Palisade Investment Partners and Northleaf Capital Partners have refinanced and bought a 75% interest in an Australian wind farm from EnergyAustralia, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed CLP Holdings. The seller will realize proceeds of A$228 million ($228...
SCPE invests $75m in Asian gas project developer
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has invested $75 million in Asia Pacific gas specialist Energy World Corporation (EWC) through a corporate exchangeable bond issue. The capital will be used to support liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the...
Gresham-owned mining contractor refinances $485m in debt
Barminco Holdings, an Australian mining contractor owned by Gresham Private Equity, has refinanced its debt through a $485 million senior note offering. The offering was oversubscribed, allowing the company to upsize the Australian dollar value to take...
Bain-owned MYOB completes BankLink bolt-on
Bain Capital-owned accounting software firm MYOB has agreed to buy BankLink, an accounting services provider, from New Zealand-based Media Transfer Services. The private equity firm will contribute NZ$61 million ($50.6 million) in equity funding to support...
Carlyle pursues Rio Tinto's Australia mining asset - report
The Carlyle Group is said to have made an initial bid for Rio Tinto's 80% stake in an Australian copper-gold mine. KKR previously showed an interest in the Northparkes mine in New South Wales but didn't follow up with a bid.