regulation
Australia delays pension fund portfolio disclosure rules
The Australian government has once again postponed the introduction of legislation that could require superannuation funds to disclose not only the identity of the GPs they are backing but also details of the each fund’s holdings.
A heavy hand
In an industry seemingly obsessed with global standards, the Australian government's requirement that superannuation funds publish the full details of their portfolio holdings on a look-through basis was a step away from the norm. The delays in its implementation...
China to open up infrastructure for private investment
China will open up 80 infrastructure projects for private capital, allowing financial investors to play a greater role in what remains a largely state-controlled sector.
China encourages PE to provide rural financing
China is encouraging private equity and venture capital firms to participate in rural financing, as a means of supporting rural development and lifting the economy.
Q&A: China Everbright's Shuang Chen
Hong Kong-listed China Everbright is transforming itself from a brokerage into a multi-platform asset manager. CEO Shuang Chen explains how this will work and the role private equity is expected to play.
Japan regulation: Taxing tactics
Investors are concerned about the potential repercussions for the economy – and their portfolio companies – of Japan’s staged consumer tax hike. Could it really derail the country’s fragile recovery?
China's premier advocates PE-friendly policies
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said pledged government support to develop private equity as a means of promoting healthier capital markets.
China regulation: Big before their time
Domestic Chinese private equity managers are now officially permitted to pursue multiple strategies. But is the industry ready for the ‘mega asset management' model the regulator envisages?
Korea M&A: Regulatory relief
The Korean government’s recently announced M&A stimulation package includes a relaxation of restrictions on domestic private equity firms. But how much change are these reforms likely to bring?
50 China PE firms win licenses from AMAC
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC), a group set up by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has issued licenses to the first batch of 50 private equity firms in China, allowing them to legally offer asset management products.
South Korea looks to ease M&A rules for PE
South Korea is planning to relax restrictions concerning M&A transactions in a bid to encourage investment by private equity and strategic investors.
Hong Kong promises to push forward with PE tax exemption
Hong Kong’s financial secretary, John Tsang, reaffirmed the government’s plans to extend the profits tax exemption for offshore funds to include private equity, promising to “take forward the legislative work as soon as possible.”
China to see PE fundraising rebound in 2014 – PwC
China is expected to see a significant rebound in private equity fundraising this year in response to the domestic IPO markets re-opening, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC). Meanwhile, renminbi-denominated fundraising will prevail as usual.
Australian pension funds: Indecent disclosure?
The Australian government is expected to halt and wind back superannuation fund disclosure requirements that go beyond global norms. Industry participants are hopeful for the best, but mindful of the worst
Kendall Court ends Intrepid’s Indonesia mining nightmare
Kendall Court has acquired Intrepid Mines’ interest in the Tujuh Bukit copper-gold project in Indonesia for $80 million, ending the Australia-listed resources company’s long-running ownership dispute over the asset.
CSRC to restructure, introduce private equity department
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) is undergoing a restructuring that will see the creation of four divisions to oversee fast-moving markets, including private equity.
Chinese insurers approved to commit more to private equity
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has raised the cap on insurers’ exposure to publicly traded companies and private equity to 30% of total assets.
ESG: Nice guys finish last?
Responsible investment has is now a priority for many institutional LPs. GPs might recognize the importance of environmental, social and governance principles in this context, but acting on them can be challenging
Held to account: The Big Four in China
A legal ruling might ban the Big Four accounting firms’ China affiliates from working on US-listed Chinese companies. VCs aren’t worried about IPO prospects, but there are longer-term concerns
Fund admin: In house or out?
Asian private equity is becoming institutionalized, with increasingly sophisticated and international LPs asking GPs to bulk up their back office capabilities. Third-party administrators sense an opportunity
India to allow LBOs for distressed assets
Indian banks will be allowed to support leveraged buyouts of distressed companies by “specialized entities” according to plans released by the Reserve Bank of India. Under a liberalized regulatory regime for asset sales, sector-specific private equity...
US judge imposes suspension on Big Four accounting firms' China units
A US judge has ruled that the China-based units of the Big Four global accounting firms should be suspended from auditing US-listed companies for the next six months. They are accused of failing to disclose information to US regulators investigating Chinese...
China IPOs: Incremental benefits
China’s securities regulator has introduced a registration-based IPO system designed to offer greater transparency. However, this does not mean an end to intervention in public markets processes.
Chinese industry group announces PE registration rules
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC), a group set up by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), has announced rules addressing domestic private equity firms' record management, operational standards and information disclosure.