USA
China's Dalian Wanda buys PE-backed yachtmaker Sunseeker
Dalian Wanda Group has sealed a deal to acquire a 91.81% stake in Britain’s largest luxury yachtmaker Sunseeker – backed by Irish private equity firm FL partners - for GBP320 million ($495 million). The deal is expected to close by mid-August.
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...
Japan's Marubeni scales back deal for PE-owned Gavilon
Marubeni has scaled back its offer for General Atlantic-owned US grain trader Gavilon by $1 billion after cutting the company's energy trading arm out of the deal.
China's LightInTheBox raises $79m through US IPO
VC-backed Chinese online retailer LightInTheBox saw its stock jump 22% on its first day of trading in New York, following an IPO that raised $79 million. It is the first Chinese company to go public in the US this year, and only the second to make the...
Dalian Wanda to buy PE-owned UK yacht maker – report
Dalian Wanda Group is expected to buy Britain’s largest luxury yachtmaker Sunseeker - currently owned by Irish private equity firm FL Partners - for EUR300 million ($400 million).
Australia's QIC enters US retail property market
Australian institutional investment manager QIC has made its first direct investment into the US property market after taking a position in eight regional retail malls worth $2.05 billion. QIC’s global real estate division will put in $435.6 million ($425...
Australia's PEP eyes US debt financing market
Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) is considering US refinancing options for several of its portfolio companies after a well received debt offering for movie theater chain Hoyts in May. The Australian GP is one of several to opt for US over domestic debt markets,...
Former ADB executive named EMPEA CEO
The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) has named Robert W. van Zwieten as its president and CEO, following the departure of founding president Sarah Alexander earlier this year. His appointment is effective immediately.
Banks put up $7b for PE-backed Shuanghui's Smithfield deal – report
Bank of China and Morgan Stanley will provide $7 billion in financing for PE-backed Shuanghui International’s buyout of a US pork producer Smithfield Foods. The proposed deal, which values Smithfield at $7.1 billion including debt.
CDH, Goldman-backed Chinese pork producer bids for Smithfield
Shuanghui International, a Chinese pork producer that counts CDH Investments and Goldman Sachs among its investors, has offered $4.7 billion in cash for US-based Smithfield Foods. The proposed deal, which values Smithfield at $7.1 billion including debt,...
PE-owned Australian power producer targets US debt issue – report
Alinta Energy, the Australian power producer controlled by TPG Capital, is said to be planning to raise at least $1 billion through a debt offering in the US. It joins a growing list of private equity-owned companies that are looking outside of Australia...
Warburg Pincus raises $11.2b for global fund
Warburg Pincus has reached a final close of $11.2 billion on its latest global fund, one of the largest private equity vehicles raised since the global financial crisis. The firm fell short of its $12 billion target – as well as the $15 billion amassed...
Temasek-invested US drug developer targets IPO
Portola Pharmaceuticals, a US-based drug developer whose largest shareholder is Temasek Holdings, plans to raise $127 million through a NASDAQ IPO. The other backers include MPM Capital, Prospect Venture Partners, Brookside Capital, Sutter Hill Ventures,...
Singapore's GIC backs BMC Software take-private
Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) is participating in the $6.9 billion take-private of US enterprise software provider BMC Software, led by Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital. It is the third-largest global PE deal announced so far...
Baring Asia-owned Nord Anglia completes WCL bolt-on
Nord Anglia Education, an international schools operator owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, has completed the bolt-on acquisition of WCL Group for $222 million. The deal strengthens Nord Anglia’s presence in North America and the Middle East, taking...
Spice Global to co-invest with Silicon Valley's Formation 8
Spice Global, the Indian conglomerate controlled by B.K. Modi, has committed an undisclosed amount to US-based venture capital firm Formation 8. The group will also be looking to co-invest with Formation 8 as it targets US start-ups with the potential...
Chinese IPOs in the US: Green shoots
Online retailer LightInTheBox is seeking to become only the third Chinese company to list in the US in more than a year. But has investor sentiment emerged from its long winter?
CITIC, Vector see 3x return on RAE Systems trade sale
CITIC Capital Partners and Vector Capital have exited gas detection equipment manufacturer RAE Systems through a $340 million trade sale to Honeywell. The China-focused GP came in as a co-investor on US-based Vector’s privatization of the company in June...
CalSTRS commits to FountainVest, Bain Asia funds
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) committed $120 million to Asia-focused GPs during the final three quarters of 2012, according to a recent disclosure. The pension system also revealed that its private equity portfolio delivered...
Formation 8 raises $448m, eyes US-Asia VC opportunities
Formation 8, a start-up venture capital firm that targets US businesses with the potential to expand into Asia, has raised $448 million for its debut fund. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, the firm has eight operating professionals based out of offices...
China's Hongye commits $100m to California's Singpoli Capital
China's Hongye International Investment Group has committed a $100 million in private equity to California-based firm Singpoli Capital to develop green energy, biochemistry, media, high-tech and real estate construction projects.
NEPC forms alliance with Singapore's GFIA to boost Asia advisory business
NEPC has entered into a research agreement with a Singapore-based investment consultant GFIA to bolster its coverage of Asia-based managers and investment strategies.
Temasek sets up dedicated LNG investment unit
Temasek Holdings has set up an investment unit dedicated to liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets. The move comes as the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund seeks to increase its energy exposure – as also evidenced through recent PE investments – in recognition...
New Silk Route's Rajat Gupta sues co-founder
Rajat Gupta, the former Goldman Sachs director who was convicted last year of insider trading, is taking legal action against his co-founder of private equity firm New Silk Route (NSR), claiming breach of contract.