Analysis
Korean outbound M&A: Satisfied partners?
Korea’s National Pension Service wants private equity to help local corporates expand overseas. Three years after its inception, the Corporate Partnership Fund has yet to prove it is the answer
China regulation: Circular progress
China’s foreign exchange regulator has issued new rules simplifying the use of offshore special purpose vehicles for investment purposes. It’s good news for VCs but questions remain about implementation
Fundraising: First impressions
A successful introductory meeting doesn’t guarantee LP support but it is an important first step on the road to achieving it. GPs must be informed, engaging and polished – but not too polished
Australia infrastructure: Ideal owners
Australian pension funds are keen to invest in a raft of infrastructure privatizations, with some of the proceeds earmarked for new projects. But more can be done to get long-term capital into greenfield infrastructure
Pension funds in infrastructure: Ideal owners
Australian pension funds are keen to invest in a raft of infrastructure privatizations, with some of the proceeds earmarked for new projects. But more can be done to get long-term capital into greenfield infrastructure
China real estate: Threat or opportunity?
Weaker economic growth and a struggling property market have made real estate fund managers more wary about their China residential exposure. But some still sense opportunity
India infrastructure: Building confidence
Private equity is expected to play a significant role in India's infrastructure development, but regulatory constraints and disappointing returns are a turn-off for investors. Reform is required
China infrastructure: Fringe benefits
Plans to open up Chinese infrastructure projects to the private participation are encouraging but not life-changing for PE investors who are already accustomed to operating in and around the state apparatus
Portfolio: CVC, Headland and The Executive Centre
The Executive Centre has seen four different financial owners as its serviced office business has grown. CVC Capital Partners is the latest custodian tasked with taking the company to the next level
India economics: The Modi effect
The election of Narendra Modi has breathed new hope into India’s beleaguered economy, with private equity investors anticipating much-needed reforms. But the road to recovery is long and likely uneven
Human Resources: Hiring for growth
When building the next Baidu or Facebook, finding the right team is as important as raising the next round of capital, if not more so. Early-stage investors can play an active role in the process.
China logisitcs: Cool customers
Private equity investors see chilled supply chains as a proxy for the greater value Chinese consumers place on food safety and quality. However, for now the industry is still more niche than mass market
India's budget: Roadmap to recovery?
India’s recent Union Budget represents the opening salvo from a government that many in the business community hope will get the country moving again. The private equity industry is watching closely
China M&A funds: Double team
Keen to consolidate their fragmented industries, Chinese companies are partnering up with PE firms to launch M&A funds. But do the GPs have the right skills and are third-party LPs willing to come on board?
Distress fundraising: In credit?
Whether disillusioned by the returns from conventional private equity or seeking to diversify their exposure, LPs are more open to Asia credit strategies. The returns are there, provided you pick the right strategy.
Q2 analysis: Still open for business
The IPO window remains open, especially in Australia; VCs continue to dominate China fundraising, but probably not for much longer; the Philippines stakes its claim as Southeast Asia’s emerging PE star.
Unleashing Malaysia
Malaysia’s underlying macroeconomic fundamentals suggest a strong appeal to private equity but deal flow remains modest. Can more opportunities be unlocked in the mid-market?
Singapore start-ups: Touching greatness
At least four Singapore-headquartered start-ups have four years of operations behind them and are worth at least $100 million. Which businesses have the skill and scale to be the next big thing?
Trade sales in Southeast Asia: Expansion imperative
Companies from within and outside Southeast Asia are scouring the region for M&A opportunities as they seek to capitalize on regional growth. It means a wider variety of trade sale options for PE investors
FATCA compliance: A ticking clock
As of July 1, PE firms were supposed to have taken the first step towards compliance with the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Few in Asia can exist beyond the regulatory web
China-US VC: Beyond borders
Chinese tech companies are interested in making investments in the US, while start-ups are targeting Sino-US or global markets from the outset. How can VC investors make money in this melting pot?
China PE in the US: From theory to practice
Chinese private equity firms’ growing interest in US acquisitions has yet to translate into meaningful deal flow. These relatively new arrivals need time to familiarize themselves with a competitive market
Secondaries: Choice cuts
Secondary fundraising has reached new highs over the past year, signaling greater investor appetite for the asset class. What is driving the demand and who is likely to benefit?
China logistics: Filling the gap
Spurred by a lack of high-quality supply and rising demand from retail customers, private capital is flooding into China’s logistics sector. The fundamentals are strong, but investors and operators must be disciplined