Distress
Hahn & Co agrees $380m Hanjin deal
Of the four leading Korean dry bulk carriers, Hanjin Shipping and Hyundai Merchant Marine are raising capital through asset sales and restructurings, while STX Pan Ocean and Korea Line have already filed for bankruptcy.
Hahn & Co to buy Hanjin’s bulk carrier business
Hahn & Co. will pay KRW400 billion ($380 million) for a 76% stake in Hanjin Shipping’s bulk carrier business. This is the South Korean private equity firm’s second foray into the shipping sector following an aborted attempt earlier this year to buy...
Oaktree, China Cinda form distressed assets JV
Oaktree Capital Group has entered into a joint venture with China Cinda Asset Management Corp. that will see the two groups invest in distressed assets in China. Cinda was originally set up to absorb non-performing loans (NPLs) from China’s Big Four...
Oaktree ups stake in New Zealand's MediaWorks
Oaktree Capital has increased its stake in New Zealand broadcaster MediaWorks to 43%, after acquiring a 14.6% stake from Dutch lender Rabobank. The transaction took place the same day lenders completed their recapitalization of MediaWorks, reducing its...
Asia distress: Playing doctor
Asia appears to be destined for a spate of corporate restructurings. Although they are studying a wealth of potential investments, distress specialists say the obvious targets are not always the most accessible
Polaris-backed apparel supplier files for bankruptcy
Fusen-Usagi Corporation,a children's apparel supplier backed by Polaris Capital Group, has filed for bankruptcy at Osaka Regional Court with JPY3 billion ($30 million) in debt.
CIC agrees $1.3b debt-for-equity swap with Bumi Resources
China Investment Corporation (CIC) has agreed a debt-for-equity swap worth $1.3 billion with embattled Indonesian miner Bumi Resources.
Yamaguchi bank launches $30.7m SME restoration fund
Yamaguchi Capital and the Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan have together set up a JPY3 billion ($30.7m) fund - Yamaguchi Business Restoration Fund - to provide capital to distressed small- and medium-sized businesses (SME).
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.
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.
Oaktree raises $700m for emerging markets distress fund - report
Oaktree Capital Management has reportedly raised more than $700 million for its first emerging markets distressed debt fund.
Japan's Dogan closes Kyushu SME fund at $34m
Japanese GP Dogan Advisors has reached a JPY3.3 billion ($34 million) close on its latest regional fund, Kyushu BOLERO (Buyout for local enterprise and reform organization) Fund 2.
Commercial Intelligence targets $150m for Asia, Africa litigation fund
Specialist distressed debt and litigation investor Commercial Intelligence Funds Group (CI) is launching an Asia- and Africa-focused fund with a target of $150 million. A first close is planned for the end of 2013.
PE-backed Australian fashion retailer enters administration
Bleach Group, the Australian parent of fashion brands Insight, Something Else and Ksubi, has been placed into voluntary administration. The company received growth capital investment from US-based Breakwater Investment Management in late 2012.
Q&A: Clearwater Capital Partners' Rob Petty
Clearwater Capital Partners is currently investing is $575 million fourth fund. CEO Rob Petty identifies the opportunities in Asia – offshore, onshore in China and India, and a generous helping of restructuring
Korea’s STX Pan Ocean files for bankruptcy after PE rescue fails
STX Pan Ocean, South Korea’s largest bulk shipping group, has filed for court receivership after attempts to secure a private equity-led restructuring of the beleaguered business failed.
Japan restructuring opportunities on the rise – PE survey
Japan is expected to emerge as a hotspot for restructuring over the next 12 months as domestic industries consolidate and foreign multinationals reassess their activities in a weak and demographically challenged consumer market. South Korea and Japan...
Australia’s Anchorage closes Fund II at $260m hard cap
Australia-based special situations and turnaround specialist Anchorage Capital Partners has reached a first and final close on its second fund at the hard cap of A$250 million ($260 million). The vehicle, which came in oversubscribed, spent less than...
China distress-focused GP Shoreline raises $303m for Fund II
Shoreline Capital, a China-focused special situations investor, has closed its second fund at $303 million. It comes after distress-focused investors in Asia raised a cumulative $2.4 billion in 2012, the highest level seen in six years.
PE-backed Blue Star entities pick up assets from Geon
Blue Star’s Australia and New Zealand entities, which are now run by two separate private equity-backed management groups, have agreed to buy assets from struggling rival printing company Geon.
KKR, Allegro target Australia's ailing Geon
KKR and Allegro Funds have placed Australian commercial printing company Geon Group into administration and are looking to buy parts of the business out of receivership. The pair became creditors last year following the acquisition of a portfolio of distressed...
ADV seeks $500m for Asia special situations fund
ADV Partners, a PE firm set up by former executives from Mount Kellett Capital, is targeting $500 million for its debut Asia-focused special situations fund. The hard cap is $750 million.
China e-commerce: End of the line
Burning through cash and with no public market exit in site, many of China’s e-commerce players are losing the confidence of their investors. New rounds of funding come at depressed valuations – if they come at all
Virginia pension fund backs Fortress’ Japan distress vehicle
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has committed to $50 million to Fortress Investment Group’s Japan Opportunity Fund II, a distress-focused vehicle that closed last December at its hard cap of JPY130 billion ($1.65 billion).