News
Virginia pension fund backs Fortress’ Japan distress vehicle
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has committed to $50 million to Fortress Investment Group’s Japan Opportunity Fund II, a distress-focused vehicle that closed last December at its hard cap of JPY130 billion ($1.65 billion).
Four in five Asian investors plan real estate fund commitments - survey
Four in five Asian-based investors are expected to invest in private real estate funds in 2013 compared to around 48% and 39% of investors based in North America and Europe respectively, according to new report.
Australia’s AMP Capital invests $100m in US wind energy project
AMP Capital has injected $100 million in Capistrano Wind Partners, a large-scale wind energy project developer in North America, alongside a consortium of infrastructure investors. AMP made the commitment on behalf of a large Australian superannuation...
SEBI approves first Indian social venture fund
The Incube Connect Fund has become the first social venture fund to be approved under the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) new registration regulations.
Zhongpin delays take-private deal, drops go-shop provision
Zhongpin, the NASDAQ-listed Chinese pork producer that is subject to a PE-backed management buyout bid, has amended the deal to allow more time for completion and prevent directors from sourcing competing offers. The valuation of $502 million is unchanged.
Marck Biosciences gets $8.3m from Tata healthcare fund
Tata Capital Healthcare Fund has invested INR450 million ($8.3 million) for a 13% stake in Ahmedabad-based drug maker Marck Biosciences. Previous plans for an IPO have now been shelved.
Canada’s OMERS targets Australia
Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS), one of Canada’s big three pension funds, plans to increase its exposure to Australia through investments in infrastructure and natural resources.
IFC to invest $24m in India’s Ratnakar Bank
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, plans to invest up to INR1.3 billion ($24 million) in India’s Ratnakar Bank. The commitment, which would be structured as a preferential allotment, complies with IFC’s...
Macquarie, SBI to buy majority stake in GMR Jadcherla Expressways
Macquarie SBI Infrastructure Fund (MSIF) has agreed to buy a 74% stake in GMR Jadcherla Expressways from Bangalore-based infrastructure major GMR Group.
Bessemer backs Indian IT services provider Anunta
Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP) has invested in Anunta Technology Management Services, a cloud-based IT services company, as part of Series A investment round. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Brookfield hires Niel Thassim as Head of Asia
Brookfield Asset Management has hired Niel Thassim as head of Asia with its Hong Kong-based private funds group.
Reserve Bank of Australia sells subsidiary to PE-backed Innovia
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is to sell its 50% stake in Securency International, a company which produces polymer-based print material for banknotes, to Innovia Films, a UK packaging manufacturer backed by Arle Capital Partners. Innovia already...
Deutsche Bank raises $614m for global secondaries fund
Deutsche Bank has reached a final close of $614 million on its second global secondaries fund. The vehicle exceeded its target of $500 million, with commitments coming from insurance companies, public and corporate pension plans and family offices.
Australia’s Hastings adds to North America team
Australian infrastructure investor Hastings Funds Management has appointed Irene Mavroyannis as executive director with responsibility for business development in the US and Canada. She will join the existing investment team in New York.
3SBio board agrees to CITIC PE-backed buyout
The board of NASDAQ-listed Chinese biotechnology firm 3SBio has agreed to a privatization bid tabled by Jing Lou, its CEO, and CITIC Private Equity. The deal values the company at $340 million.
Baird's Shanghai-based Zhang promoted to principal
Baird Capital, the private investment arm of Robert W. Baird, has promoted Shanghai-based Yongshan Zhang to principal. Zhang, who was previously vice president, joined Baird in 2008 and works with the company's China growth equity fund.
MVision opens Australia office
Placement agent MVision has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia. The move will allow MVision, which currently has a number of investment manager clients in Australia, to expand its reach into the Asia Pacific private equity market.
Asahi, PE firms set for legal battle over Independent Liquor sale - update
Japanese beverage giant Asahi has taken legal action against private equity firms Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital over its acquisition of New Zealand firm Independent Liquor in 2011 for NZ$1.5 billion ($1.5 billion).
CLSA exits Japan’s Everlife for $285m
CLSA Japan has sold its 100% stake in Japanese direct marketing company Everlife to Korea's LG Household and Health Care for JPY25.8 billion ($285 million).
Blackstone invests in India business park – report
The Blackstone Group has reportedly joined two other companies in purchasing a business park in South India for INR19.6 billion ($367 million).
AVCJ daily bulletin returns February 14
AVCJ's daily bulletin will take a short break for the Lunar New Year holiday. Publication will resume on February 14. The weekly magazine is also on hiatus, with the next issue released on February 19.
Kazakh sovereign fund buys stake in domestic zinc producer
Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, has bought a 29% stake in Kazzinc, a domestic zinc producer controlled by Glencore.
Paine-backed Costa to buy Adelaide Mushrooms
The Costa Group, an Australian fresh produce company backed by global private equity firm Paine & Partners, is to acquire Adelaide Mushrooms. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Unilazer Ventures invests in Valyoo Technologies
Unilazer Ventures has joined IDG Ventures in investing INR530 million ($10 million) in Delhi-based Valyoo Technologies, which owns e-commerce sites LensKart, BagsKart, WatchKart and JewelKart.