covid-19
Buyouts in 2021: Winners and losers
Asia could prove to be a deal-rich market in 2021, but buyout investors are still figuring out the long-term implications of COVID-19 for companies that cater to changing consumer demands
Singapore's VC-backed GoBear to wind down
GoBear, a Singaporean financial technology start-up that received VC backing as recently as May, will cease operations and begin a phased closure of the business, citing pandemic-related disruption.
SIP brings PE value-add to COVID-19 hit HK social enterprises
Social Impact Partners (SIP), a Hong Kong-based venture philanthropy organization supported by several private equity firms, has been drawing on industry resources to support portfolio organizations that face financial and operational challenges because...
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2021
Industry professionals process the upheavals of 2020 to inform outlooks for a range of markets and investment themes. Realist bullishness abounds
2020 in review: Surprise guest
The coronavirus pandemic has played havoc with Asian private equity, contributing to a resurgence in IPOs, increased bifurcation in fundraising, a rush for healthcare, and a generally staggered revival
Q&A: Hamilton Lane's Collwyn Tan
Collwyn Tan, Hamilton Lane’s co-head of Asia investment and key point person for everything transactional in the region, unpacks the mixed signals of 2020
Investor relations: Talk isn't cheap
The enforced adoption of virtual communications points to longer-term changes in investor relations, from annual general meetings to informal catch-ups. GPs must find ways to stand out
Taiwan & tech tensions: Silicon island
Taiwan’s technology sector must play an awkward balancing game amid US-China tensions. This could be a surprisingly favorable position for opportunistic investment and global diversifications
Aggression pays off in times of crisis - AVCJ Forum
Going on the offensive is the best response to COVID-19 - taking advantage of market uncertainty to make new investments and help portfolio companies complete bolt-on acquisitions - the AVCJ Forum heard.
COVID-19 credit strategies must be flexible – AVCJ Forum
COVID-19 has emphasized the need for patience and mandate flexibility in private credit, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
Asia buyout managers see no shift in return targets - AVCJ Forum
Asia-focused buyout managers do not expect an economic downturn to impact the returns underwritten into investments at the portfolio level as long as leveraged financing remains competitively priced and new paths to liquidity continue to emerge.
Global LPs want more control in China – AVCJ Forum
North American and European LPs see promise in Asia, and China in particular, but remain wary due to a lack of control opportunities, especially in the context of COVID-19.
Virtual AGMs & IR: Close encounters
The technology is available to facilitate informal discussions at virtual AGMs, but do these solutions present an acceptable substitute for physical interaction, and do GPs and LPs want to use them?
COVID-19 amplifies focus on societal issues - AVCJ Forum
Concerns that impact investment would get pushed to the margins in the chaos of COVID-19 have been confounded by a renewed emphasis on social issues created by the pandemic, according to industry participants.
Virtual AGMs & IR: Up in the air
Private equity firms are still finding their feet with annual meetings that no longer take place on the ground. Like it or not, virtual engagement is set to become a larger part of investor relations from now on
Asia consumer & technology: Multifarious merchants
Technology is changing the way consumers interact with retailers both concrete and virtual. Ramping up the sociability factor has become a priority amid increasingly pervasive mechanization
Asia consumer: Sale of the century
The traditionally slow-changing retail sector received an unexpected incentive to smarten up quickly this year. When the dust settles, shopping will never be the same again
Asia e-sports: Pumping up in a timeout
A recent slew of deals targeting e-sports in Asia has coincided with the live events that generate most of the industry's revenue going on hiatus. Investors appear happy to play the long game
Tech, flexibility indispensable in ASEAN logistics
Logistics operators navigating Southeast Asia’s challenging fragmentation against the backdrop of COVID-19 must embrace digital upgrades and flexibility in terms of service offering.
BGH, OTPP sweeten deal for New Zealand's Abano
BGH Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) have improved their take-private offer for New Zealand dentistry chain Abano, reflecting a relatively strong business recovery.
PE & Asian banks: Once-in-a-decade opportunity
GPs like targeting banks during downturns, investing in stronger players at discount valuations and backing them to come out the other side with increased market share. Will it be more of the same with COVID-19?
Coronavirus & infrastructure: Trial by fire
Conservative investors who trust infrastructure for its stability have received a rude awakening with COVID-19. With appetite for the asset class unchanged, it’s time to get smart about risk
Temasek sees portfolio shrink, ups investment pace
Temasek Holdings has deployed a record S$32 billion ($23.3 billion) in the past year – with technology and healthcare the main beneficiaries – even as the impact of COVID-19 saw its overall portfolio shrink in value for the first time since 2016.
COVID-19 flexibility can exacerbate PE gender issues
Working from home has been a mixed experience for women in private equity, with greater flexibility counterbalanced by heightened feelings of isolation in environments that are already dominated by men.
