USA
Coulter, Rubenstein look at PE of the future – AVCJ Forum
Diversification and standardization were the watchwords as James Coulter, founding partner of TPG Capital, and David Rubenstein, co-founder and managing partner of The Carlyle Group, addressed the future of the global private equity industry at the AVCJ...
PE firms close in on Yahoo acquisition
Several prospective buyers of Yahoo have signed confidentiality agreements in order to get a closer look at the company’s finances.
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
China MBOs: The problem with privatizations
With stock prices undervalued, company chairman and private equity investors are eyeing potential privatizations among US-listed Chinese companies. It isn’t as easy as it seems.
Harbin Electric shareholders approve MBO
Harbin Electric’s shareholders have approved a privatization bid for the company put forward by chairman and CEO Tianfu Yang and supported by Abax Global Capital. The deal, which received board backing in June, is expected to close within a week.
Yahoo tipped to sell Asian assets, pay shareholder dividend
Yahoo is likely to close the door to potential private equity suitors by divesting its Asian assets and redistributing the proceeds to shareholders. The redistribution might take the form of a special divided or share buyback.
Mitsui backs US mobile advertising platform
Mitsui & Co. has participated in a $14 million round of fundraising for US-based mobile advertising and media company 4INFO, alongside Vulcan Capital and existing investors Draper Fisher Jurveston, Gannett, Mezzanine Capital and US Venture Partners. Vulcan...
NSR co-founder Rajat Gupta indicted for insider trading
Chairman and Co-Founder of New Silk Route (NSR) Rajat Gupta was indicted for insider trading by a US federal court on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of conspiracy and five counts of securities fraud.
Eaton Vance targets US loans through Australian fund
Eaton Vance Corp. aims to raise $1 billion in the next two to three years for an Australian fund targeting US leveraged loans. It will primarily look to secure capital commitments from Australian pension funds.
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.
Blackstone announces 3Q loss on drop in valuations
The Blackstone Group posted a loss of $341.9 million in the third quarter compared with a $339.3 million profit a year earlier. The disappointing results came as the private equity firm saw an 11% drop in the value of its buyout holdings amid ongoing...
Yahoo founder refuses to rule out sale to Alibaba, private equity
Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang has refused to rule out the possible sale of the company to Alibaba Group’s Jack Ma or to a private equity interests. “There are plenty of options,” he told a conference in Hong Kong Wednesday.
Tsing Capital backs solar panel maker Sunpreme
Tsing Capital has participated in a $50 million round of financing for existing portfolio company Sunpreme, a Silicon Valley-based solar cell manufacturer. The round was led by International Finance Corp. (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, and...
WL Ross struggles to raise new fund
WL Ross & Co. has cut its target for its latest fund to $2-2.5 billion, having raised little more than one tenth of the $4 billion it set out to attract last year, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the situation.
SEC approves Volcker rule as market watchers express concerns
Concerns are being raised that the Volcker rule, which limits bank exposure to asset classes such as a private equity, will be postponed or weakened by lobbyists and that some forms of proprietary trading will be exempted completely. The rule was approved...
Asia Pacific LPs put up nearly 25% of EQT’s $6.5b fund
EQT Partners has raised EUR4.75 billion ($6.5 billion) for its sixth European buyout fund, with Asia Pacific LPs accounting for 23% of commitments, up from just 5% in the firm’s previous vehicle. According to people familiar with the situation, Chinese...
Alibaba, Temasek in talks over Yahoo deal – report
Alibaba Group has held discussions with Temasek Holdings about supporting the purchase of Yahoo’s 40% stake in the Chinese company.
Yahoo examines options for exiting Japanese business – report
Yahoo is close to unloading its 35% stake in Yahoo Japan and it is thought that a sale could happen relatively quickly, potentially simplifying decisions about the US firm’s wider prospects.
Blackstone’s GSO exits Stolle to Japanese strategic buyer
GSO Capital Partners, Blackstone Group’s credit business, will sell Stolle Machinery to Japan’s Toyo Seikan for $775 million. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2011, subject to regulatory approvals.
Asia LPs are raising PE allocations, says Warburg Pincus’ Landy
Joseph Landy, co-president of Warburg Pincus, said that limited partners in Asia are maintaining or increasing their allocations to private equity on a percentage basis, despite the global economic downturn.
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.
Trustbridge receives $30m from Arizona pension fund
Trustbridge Partners has received a $30 million commitment for its fourth fund from the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. An India sidecar fund on JPMorgan’s Asian Infrastructure & Related Resources Opportunity (AIRRO) Fund will get...
South Korea’s Hanwha backs US solar firm OneRoof Energy
South Korea’s Hanwha International has led a $50 million round of financing for residential solar company OneRoof Energy, which works directly with roofers to lease and install residential solar power systems.