News
AIF invests in Southeast Asian consumer packaging firm
AIF Capital has completed a $40 million investment in Pacific Plas, one of the largest participants in Southeast Asia’s resin distribution and consumer packaging markets. AIF is the first private equity investor in the Singapore-based family-owned company.
Gresham in talks to sell Witchery to Country Road
Australia-listed fashion and homeware retailer Country Road has confirmed it is in talks with Gresham Private Equity about the potential acquisition of clothing brands Witchery and Mimco.
BlackRock to acquire Swiss Re Private Equity Partners
BlackRock is buying Swiss Re Private Equity Partners (SRPEP), the European private equity and infrastructure fund-of-funds arm of Swiss Re. The transaction will allow BlackRock’s existing FoFs group – BlackRock Private Equity Partners - to extend...
Standard Chartered PE acquires 13.5% stake in Trikomsel
Hong Kong-based Standard Chartered Private Equity has acquired a 13.5% stake in Trikomsel Oke, an Indonesian retailer of mobile telecommunications devices.
Micron beats TPG, Hony to acquire Elpida
Micron Technology has beat potential investors including TPG Capital and Hony Capital to acquire Japan’s Elpida Memory for about $2.5 billion, in a move to compete against rivals in South Korea and Taiwan.
CapitaMalls Asia raises $1b for China Development Fund III
CapitaMalls Asia, the shopping malls arm of Temasek-owned CapitaLand, has announced the establishment of its China Development Fund III with a fund size of $1 billion. The vehicle, with a fund life of eight years, will invest in the development of shopping...
Anacacia Fund II reaches $75m first close
Australia’s Anacacia Capital has completed the first close of its Anacacia Fund II at $75 million within weeks of opening, raising 50% more than its original target. Superannuation funds, fund of funds and family offices from Australia and overseas...
Australia's Hastings raises $626m for infrastructure fund
Hastings Funds Management announced that its Utilities Trust of Australia (UTA) has reached a first close on its infrastructure fund with commitments of A$610 million ($626 million). The amount is in line with expectations outlined in January 2012 and...
PE-backed China Yongda returns with scaled down IPO
China Yongda Automobile Services has re-launched its IPO a month after pulling out of the Hong Kong listing due to weak market demand. The company has reduced its price to HK$6.60 per share, down from a range of HK$7.60-10.80, and cut the size of the...
3i to close Hong Kong, Shanghai offices to reduce costs
3i has announced plans to axe more than 160 staff and close six offices, including those in Hong Kong and Shanghai, in a move to bring its capacity down to a more realistic level. The massive job cutting program is expected to reduce 3i’s annual operating...
EB Private Equity abandons David Jones takeover bid
Little-known UK-based investor EB Private Equity has withdrawn its takeover bid for David Jones, Australia’s second-largest department store chain. The group initially submitted an offer of A$1.52 billion ($1.55 billion) in May and later increased it...
CHAMP Ventures closes seventh fund at $483m
Australian GP CHAMP Ventures has closed its latest fund at A$475 million ($483 million) despite a challenging fundraising environment. The vehicle, which launched in August 2010, was oversubscribed, having initially targeted A$450 million.
Beijing creates PE secondaries exchange
China has set up an exchange intended to make it easier for investors to trade their holdings in equity investment funds. Launched on Thursday, the China PE Secondary Market Development Alliance will theoretically facilitate exits from positions in illiquid...
Sprint Capital backs Australian coal miner
Sprint Capital has invested A$36 million ($36.4 million) for a 25% stake in Australian mining company Stanmore Coal. Capital from the Hong Kong-based private equity firm, which specializes in mining and natural resources sector transactions, will go towards...
Herbert Smith, Freehills announce merger
International law firms Herbert Smith and Freehills have announced they will merge to become the largest fully integrated law firm in Asia Pacific.
Abax wins board approval for Fushi Copperweld MBO
Abax Global Capital has finalized a $363.8 million buyout of US-listed Chinese wire manufacturer Fushi Copperweld in alliance with company management. The transaction has taken about 18 months to close and represents Abax’s second successful take-private...
Translink, Vangoo back Chinese mobile ad platform with $12m
Silicon Valley-based Translink Capital and Japan’s Vangoo Investment Partners have led a $12 million Series B round of funding for Chinese mobile-based advertising platforms Adwo.
Opportunities abound in aerospace and defense - study
Private equity investment opportunities abound in Asia Pacific’s aerospace and defense industries, according to analysis by research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.
AVCJ daily bulletin returns July 3
There will be no AVCJ bulletin on Monday July 2 due to a public holiday marking the establishment of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Asian MNCs to accelerate overseas expansion - Towers Watson
Asian multinationals (MNCs) stand poised to accelerate their pace of global expansion through M&A activity in foreign countries, according to a new study.
Troutman Sanders opens Beijing office
Troutman Sanders has opened an office in Beijing, making it the law firm's third base in China since it entered the country in 1997. The office will led by Allen Shyu, formerly of Orrick.
Standard Chartered PE commits $22m to India’s Karaikal Port
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has invested INR1.3 billion ($22.8 million) in Karaikal Port, a unit of Indian infrastructure and real estate company Marg Group. It joins existing PE shareholders IDFC Project Equity, Ascent Capital Advisors and...
Groupon’s China business to merge with Tencent
Group-buying website Groupon is merging its China operations, known as Gaopeng, with a similar site owned by domestic internet company Tencent Holdings. Gaopeng was created in late 2010 as a joint venture between Groupon and Tencent. The Tencent Collaboration...
Sequoia, SAP Ventures back Just Dial after IPO pulled
Sequoia Capital and SAP Ventures have invested INR3.27 billion ($57 million) in Indian listings provider Just Dial after the company’s IPO, scheduled for this month, was delayed until 2013.