KKR
PE, Itochu-led consortium near $7b Samson acquisition
A KKR-led consortium, that is said to include Japan's Itochu Corp., is nearing the acquisition of Oklahoma-based oil- and natural-gas producer Samson Investment for $7 billion. It will mark one of the world’s most expensive PE buyouts this year if the...
AVCJ Forum Keynotes: Asia becomes even more important
As most of you know, our annual AVCJ Asian Private Equity & Venture Forum took place successfully in Hong Kong last week. The sold-out crowd was treated to, amongst other things, insights from some of the most successful dealmakers in the world and plenty...
From buyouts to asset managers
Emerging Asia is a key consideration as the global buyout firms diversify their product offerings to meet the needs of a changing market
Asia fundraising – more than just a renminbi story
The last few years have not been good for most Asian private equity fundraisers. The global financial crisis made the usual institutional investors shied away from the asset class, forcing funds already in the market to scale back their targets slightly.
Interpark-led consortium buys iMarketKorea for $378m
A consortium led by Interpark, the Korean online shopping mall operator, has agreed to purchase Samsung Group’s procurement arm iMarketKorea in a deal worth more than KRW422 billion ($378.4 million). Private equity firm H&Q and the Korea Venture Business...
KKR seeks $6b for second Asia buyout fund
KKR is targeting $6 billion for its second Asia buyout fund, coming as a host of global private equity firms prepare new regional vehicles.
PE firms lose out in bid for Samsung’s procurement arm
Online shopping mall operator Interpark has been named the preferred bidder for Samsung Group’s procurement arm iMarketKorea, beating private equity bidders including KKR and MBK Partners. The Interpark was previously said to be leading a consortium...
KKR to boost focus on special sits in China
KKR is set to bolster its special-situations capabilities in Hong Kong in anticipation of a downturn in China.
Blackstone targets $3b global energy fund
The Blackstone Group aims to raise up to $3 billion for its first energy fund, according to people familiar with the situation. Tony James, the private equity firm’s president, said in an earnings call that initial commitments stand at $1 billion.
Advantage, Bain, Olympus in second-round bidding for Yayoi
Advantage Partners, Bain Capital and Olympus Capital have reportedly advanced into the second round of bidding for MBK Partners-owned Japanese accounting software developer Yayoi, which is expected to be one of the biggest sales in the market this year.
KKR, MBK bid for Samsung’s procurement arm
KKR and MBK Partners are among the bidders for a majority stake in iMarketKorea, Samsung Group’s procurement arm. Based on Tuesday’s closing share price, the asset is worth KRW372 billion ($326 million).
Asia buyouts struggle as banks clamp down on lending
Buyout deals in Asia are becoming more difficult as banks hold back on lending. Rising capital costs have made lenders wary of the risks tied to mispricing a loan, leaving private equity firms to increase the cash portion of buyouts.
Coffee Day subsidiary Way2Wealth gets $30m from KKR
Indian boutique financial services firm Way2Wealth will receive $30 million from KKR in what is expected to be a structured financing deal rather than a typical private equity placement.
KKR appoints former Singaporean minister as adviser
Former Singaporean politician and minister to the prime minister’s office Lim Hwee Hua has been appointed senior adviser to KKR.
Advantage, KKR, Olympus line up for MBK-owned Yayoi
Advantage Partners, KKR and Olympus Capital are reportedly among the potential bidders for Japanese accounting software developer Yayoi from MBK Partners.
Carlyle, Blackstone heads paint bleak outlook for US economy
The Carlyle Group’s co-founder David Rubenstein and Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone Group, were downbeat in their assessments of the US economy on Wednesday.
Global buyout firms warn of tightening credit markets
Henry Kravis, co-founder of KKR, said that private equity deals are becoming more expensive as debt markets tighten and the cost of capital goes up.
India’s alternative lenders
Non-banking finance companies are becoming increasingly significant in India’s financial sector. Foreign private equity firms are keen to get involved, but how does this fit into their wider strategies?
KKR closes $1b global mezzanine fund
KKR Asset Management (KAM) has made a final close on its more than $1 billion KKR Mezzanine Partners I fund, raised through global investors including insurers, pension plans, family offices and sovereign wealth funds.
PE partnerships – A route into Indonesia
The recently announced TPG-North Star Pacific share swap got me thinking about collaboration between private equity firms. Global PE players have been using local funds to gain access to new markets for some time now, and quite a few have committed capital...
US court widens collusion probe of 2005-2007 mega deals
The mega “club deals” between some of the big global buyout firms during the 2005-2007 boom period have been put under wider scrutiny in a US antitrust lawsuit. The four-year-old case accuses 11 firms, including Blackstone Group and KKR, of colluding...
KKR-backed Seven West Media looks into debt refinancing
Australia’s Seven West Media, which is part-owned by KKR, is assessing bank proposals to refinance up to A$2 billion ($2.1 billion) of debt. Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that several banks have bid to underwrite 3-5 year funding...
Carlyle files for IPO but listing not expected until 1H 2012
The Carlyle Group made its IPO filing on Tuesday but volatility in the global markets means the offering is unlikely to happen until the first half of 2012.
KKR, Sino-Ocean launch $140m real estate fund
KKR has launched a $140 million Chinese real estate fund with property firm Sino-Ocean Holdings to “capitalize on the long-term potential in China’s real estate market.“