LPs
Australia’s Archer Capital cuts size of fund
Australian GP Archer Capital has cut the size of its fifth fund – which reached a final close of A$1.5 billion ($1.2 billion) in late 2011 – by returning A$300 million in commitments to LPs.
Japan's GPIF names Hiro Mizuno CIO
Coller Capital partner Hiro Mizuno has been named CIO of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). His appointment comes as the fund prepares to boost its exposure to alternative assets.
Asia fundraising: How much is too much?
Ever increasing fund sizes have become a fact of life for some private equity firms in Asia. LPs must distinguish between GPs raising more capital for a valid purpose and GPs doing so simply because they can
Taiwan’s Fubon commits $30m to US-based Athyrium credit fund
Fubon Life, the second-largest insurer in Taiwan, has committed $30 million to Athyrium Capital Management’s healthcare-focused credit fund.
LACERS commits to Baring Asia's sixth fund
Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) has committed up to $25 million to Baring Private Equity Asia’s sixth pan-regional fund.
LPs offer mixed views on GP ownership - AVCJ Forum
Taking a stake in the GP offers benefits to LPs looking to align interests, but not all are willing to do so at the cost of a fund manager's independence.
Taiwan LPs: Hare and tortoise
GPs are watching with interest as Taiwan restructures its labor pension fund system, thinking of potential LP commitments. But insurers remain the most active players in the market, and they want to do more
OTPP hires Mount Kellett executive for Asia relationship investing
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has appointed Dan Kiang as Hong Kong-based director of relationship investing, including the group’s recent commitment to Sinopec Marketing as part of a PE consortium.
Pantheon gets emerging markets mandate from Finland's VER
Pantheon has won a EUR100 million ($124 million) mandate from Valtion Eläkerahasto (VER), the Finnish state pension fund, for investments across Asia and emerging markets.
Asia PE performance: Special measures
Asian private equity has, by some accounts, failed to meet LP expectations in terms of risk-adjusted returns. With GPs under pressure to show they can be company builders, is specialization the inevitable end game?
Chinese pharma company invests $22m in TPG biotech fund
Chinese drug maker Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical, previously a highly successful PE investment for Goldman Sachs, has committed $22 million to TPG Capital’s latest biotech fund.
China Life to boost alternatives exposure
China Life has mandated one of its investment subsidiaries to deploy up to RMB150 billion ($24.5 billion) of insurance funds into alternative asset classes over the next year.
Infrastructure: Building partners
LPs are seeking to boost their exposure to Asian infrastructure through direct investment, either independently or alongside GPs. In a highly varied regional market, there is no one-size-fits-all approach
China’s Baidu, Ping An, Qihoo360 invest in Israeli VC fund
Israeli VC firm Carmel Ventures has reached a $194 million final close on its latest VC fund with participation Chinese tech giants Baidu and Qihoo360 as well as insurer Ping An Group.
TAP, KWAP invest in Malaysian snack maker
Southeast Asia-focused GP Tremendous Asia Partners (TAP) has teamed up with pension fund KWAP to buy a 30% stake in Munchy Group, a Malaysia-based snacks producer.
Texas County & District commits $50m to Baring Asia fund
Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) has committed $50 million to Baring Private Equity Asia’s sixth pan-regional fund, which recently reached a first close of $3.2 billion.
Neuberger Berman Japan, Korea PE commitments top $1b
Japanese and South Korean investors now account for more than $1 billion of the committed capital managed by Neuberger Berman’s private equity division.
Family ties: Asian family offices as LPs
As wealth in Asia has grown, so has the number of family offices. As these investors become more institutionalized, what can they do for private equity and what can private equity do for them?
IFC set to invest as Everstone targets $650m for Fund III
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed investing up to $50 million in India-focused GP Everstone Capital’s third fund, which has a target size of $650 million.
LP interview: Malaysia's KWAP
Malaysian pension fund KWAP is adding North America and European exposure to its Asia-heavy private equity portfolio. It is ramping up commitments from a relatively low base
JD Capital reaches $200m final close on second US dollar fund
Chinese GP JD Capital, formerly known as Jiuding Capital, has achieved its target of a $200 million final close on its second US dollar-denominated fund.
Korea's KIC more than doubles PE exposure in 2013
Korea Investment Corporation’s (KIC) private equity investments more than doubled in size to $2.6 billion over the course of 2013 as total assets increased 27% year-on-year to reach $72 billion.
CalPERS names new CIO
California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has announced Ted Eliopoulos as its new chief investment officer. He currently occupies the role in an interim capacity, having previously served as senior investment officer for real assets.
Hong Kong Jockey Club boosts alternatives investments
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has substantially increased its investments in alternative assets as part of efforts to diversify its holdings and achieve stronger returns.