LPs
CalSTRS alters allocation to favor inflation sensitive, illiquid assets
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) will recalibrate the long-term allocation targets of its $170 billion investment portfolio, placing greater emphasis on inflation-sensitive and illiquid assets at the expense of equities and fixed...
RMB fund-of-funds: Patience is a virtue
As some global fund-of-funds struggle to raise funds, their renminbi counterparts are struggling to find a purpose – government-backed vehicles excepted. A more mature LP base should bring more demand
Malaysia's Ekuinas to back five local PE managers
Ekuinas, a private equity investor backed by the Malaysian government, will make LP commitments to funds raised by five local PE firms. Four of the five – Tael Parnters, RM Capital Partners, Tuas Capital Partners and CMS Opus Private Equity – will receive...
OTPP loses head of Asia fund investments
Alison Nankivell has left her role as head of Asian fund investments at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) for a job with Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Indian insurers win approval to invest in domestic PE, debt funds
Indian insurers have received the green light to invest in domestic private equity and debt funds regulated under the alternative investment fund (AIF) program introduced last year. It follows a decision in March to allow life and general insurance companies...
Korea's KIC to boost alternatives exposure to as much as $10b
Korea Investment Corp. (KIC) is planning to triple its allocation to alternative assets - spending as much as $10 billion in an effort to diversify its portfolio.
China's insurers: Safety first
Chinese insurers have been able to invest in domestic private equity for three years and in overseas private equity for 10 months. Investments are proceeding slowly, but infrastructure is being put in place.
Financial technology: The new normal
Initiatives are in place to make private equity reporting faster, more detailed and completely standardized. Are the guidelines a good fit for the industry in Asia and what are GPs doing to meet them?
CIC returns to profit in 2012 on back of equities boost
China Investment Corp. (CIC) has returned to profit, reporting an annual return of 10.6% on its overseas investments last year thanks to a rally in global equities. The sovereign wealth fund saw a cumulative annualized return of 5.02% for 2012, up from...
Asian GPs under pressure to return capital to investors – AVCJ Forum
Asian fund managers are under pressure to return capital to investors as patience wears thin with promises of returns to come, despite the regional growth story being far from over, industry participants told the AVCJ Singapore Forum. These sentiments...
KKR raises largest-ever pan-Asia private equity fund
KKR has announced a final close of $6 billion on its second pan-Asian fund. Coming in 50% larger than its 2007 vintage predecessor, the fund is the largest regional private equity pool ever accumulated.
Temasek's portfolio expands to $169b with greater focus on energy
Temasek Holdings saw its portfolio grow to S$215 billion ($169 billion) for the year ended March 2013, up 8.6% from the preceding 12 months.
NZ Super allocates $31m to Pioneer Capital
The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has committed NZ$40 million ($31 million) to the second fund of Auckland-based private equity firm Pioneer Capital Partners.
Japan, Canada pension fund consortium makes first investment
A consortium of Canada's Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Scheme (OMERS) and a group of Japanese pension funds led by Mistubishi Corp. has made its first investment in Midland Cogeneration Venture (MCV), a gas power plant in the US. The details...
Fund-of-funds: Bespoke solutions
Reports of the death of fund-of-funds in Asia are greatly exaggerated – but all industry participants are diversifying their product offerings to meet specific client demands. Is it still primarily a scale game?
LP interview: New Zealand Superannuation Fund
New Zealand Superannuation Fund’s private equity program is only five years old but the fund is gearing up to make larger commitments to international managers. CIO Fiona Mackenzie explains the strategy
Korea's Castling gets first LP commitment, targets fund-of-funds
Castling Investment Group, a start-up alternatives investment advisory firm based in South Korea, has received its first external LP commitment – totaling $80 million – from a local museum foundation. The capital will be placed into a separate account...
Q&A: Advantage Partners' Richard Folsom
Advantage Partners has experienced more than its fair share of Japan's highs and lows. Now as the country embarks on a new economic experiment, co-founder and CEO Richard Folsom shares his views on the state of PE
CalPERS CIO Joseph Dear scales back responsibilities
Joseph Dear, chief investment officer at California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), has given up some of his duties at the pension fund as he undergoes treatment for prostate cancer.
LPs require local expertise for Asia co-investment – AVCJ Forum
LPs need a presence in Asia – or, at the very least, an understanding of local markets – if they are to be successful co-investors in the region, industry participants told the AVCJ Europe conference, which took place in London last week.
Korea's NPS to boost alternatives exposure
South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS) will increase its allocation to alternative investments to 11.3% from 8.4% as part of an aggressive plan that will see a substantial drop in the pension fund’s fixed income exposure.
China's Jiuding committed to pre-IPO strategy
China pre-IPO specialist Kunwu Jiuding Capital will not change its strategy despite a slump in listings - and exit multiples - before domestic regulators slammed the door on new share offerings completely towards the end of last year.
Oregon Investment Council backs Morgan Stanley, RRJ funds
Oregon Investment Council (OIC) has committed $75 million to Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia’s (MSPEA) fourth pan-regional fund. The vehicle, which reached a first close of $750 million towards the end of last year after less than six months in the...
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.