News
Japan’s SMFG beats CDB to aircraft-leasing deal
Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and Sumitomo Corp. have agreed to purchase Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) aircraft-leasing business in a deal worth $7.3 billion. SMFG will take around 70% of RBS Aviation Capital, with trading company...
Indian commodity exchange in talks with PE firms
India’s fourth largest exchange, the National Multi-Commodity Exchange of India (NMCE), is in talks with five private equity firms and banks to raise INR300-350 million ($5.9-6.9 million) to comply with minimum capital rules.
Nine Entertainment’s creditors draw up plan to push out CVC
Creditors of Australia’s Nine Entertainment have put together a proposal to convert their debt to equity which would wipe out the majority of current owner CVC Capital Partners’ interest in the firm. Hedge funds Oaktree Capital and Apollo Global Management...
NSR backs Indian educational support services provider
New Silk Route (NSR) Partners has acquired a significant minority stake in Varsity Education Management, an Indian educational support services provider. It is thought that the investment is in the $40-50 million range.
Board rejects rival bid for Malaysia’s QSR
Palm oil producer Kulim Malaysia has rejected an offer for its stake in fast food company QSR Brands. Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (DPMM) offered to pay MYR6.90 per share for Kulim’s holding, slightly higher than a rival bid by CVC Capital Partners...
CHAMP PE in exclusive talks for VIP Petfoods – report
CHAMP Private Equity has won exclusivity on the sale process of VIP Petfoods, Australia’s largest producer of fresh chilled pet food for dogs and cats, the Australian Financial Review reported. The deal under discussion could reach the high A$300 millions.
Kerogen Capital invests $125m in emerging markets oil firm
Hong Kong-based Kerogen Capital has committed $125 million to NewAge (African Global Energy), becoming the largest shareholder in the company. The investment will be made in three tranches, with Kerogen also having the right to co-investment alongside...
Cinemacraft receives funding from 500 Startups
Asian interactive media platform provider Cinemacraft has secured funding from US-based business incubator 500 Startups.
India to launch state-backed $1b innovation fund
India plans to roll out a $1 billion government-backed venture fund to support innovative companies that promise a better future to the poor.
KKR, Temasek circle India’s TVS Logistics – sources
Private equity giant KKR and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund are among four PE investors said to be in talks to invest around $50 million in Indian logistics company TVS.
Actis moves closer to full management buyout
The UK government is moving closer to the sale of its remaining stake Actis, with the private equity firm’s management team the most likely buyers after a 12-month search failed to deliver any rival bidders. However, deep divisions remain over the price...
Kedaara to pursue carve-outs from Indian conglomerates
Kedaara Capital, the private equity firm created by Manish Kejriwal and Sunish Sharma, formerly of Temasek India and General Atlantic India, respectively, will focus on investments in carve-outs and spin-offs of non-core assets from large corporations.
US PE firm Yucapia exits South Korea’s IHQ
Yucapia Global PEF, a US private equity fund held by supermarket conglomerate owner Ronald Burkle, has exited almost its entire stake in IHQ, one of South Korea’s major entertainment stocks. It is unlikely to have generated a significant return on the...
China to let more SMEs list in Hong Kong
China will allow more small- and medium-sized enterprises to list in Hong Kong in what could be a game changer for private equity firms seeking overseas IPO exits for portfolio companies. The move, announced at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong by...
Apollo joins Carlyle in $2b race for Brambles Recall unit
Three buyout firms, including Apollo Global Management, have joined The Carlyle Group in making bids worth more than $2 billion for Recall, the document management business of Australian firm Brambles.
CrystalGenomics receives $2.6m from VC-backed fund
South Korea-based CrystalGenomics has secured KRW3 billion ($2.6 Million) through a private placement to the Korea Seoul Life Science Fund (KSLSF).
Singapore property funds look to invest $100m in Indian SEZ
Singapore property funds Ascendas and Mapletree Investments are in talks to commit $100million to a special economic zone (SEZ) near the Indian city of Pune.
General Atlantic branches into Singapore
General Atlantic (GA) has opened an office in Singapore, adding to an Asian presence that already includes bases in Beijing, Mumbai and Hong Kong. Managing Director Abhay Havaldar will lead a team tasked with expanding the private equity firm’s reach...
Citadel Capital seeks capital from Chinese LPs
Middle Eastern private equity firm Citadel Capital is seeking to raise capital in China and is in talks with a Beijing-based sovereign wealth fund, according to Stephen Murphy, the firm’s managing director responsible for institutional fundraising.
TPG may support struggling Olympus
TPG Capital is considering an investment in Japan’s Olympus Corp, which would help the beleaguered camera manufacturer make inroads into its losses.
Morgan Stanley extends property fund's investment period - report
Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing has received approval from LPs to increase the investment period of its $4.7 billion property fund, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (MSREF), by one year.
IL&FS invests $39m in Indian real estate project
IL&FS Investment Managers (IIML) has invested INR2 billion ($38.8 million) for a 9.4% stake in a firm that is developing the Bharat Mills real estate project.
Lightspeed targets $675m for ninth fund
Lightspeed Venture Partners is seeking $675million for its new global fund, according to a regulatory filing. The firm principally targets investments in China and India, as well the US and Israel.
Reliance seeks loan from CDB
India’s second-largest mobile operator Reliance Communication, which has been struggling to sell its telecom tower arm, is in talks with China Development Bank (CDB) for a loan to restructure its debt.