News
KKR in takeover bid for Australia’s PacBrands
KKR has launched an unsolicited takeover bid for listed Australian clothing and related consumer brands wholesaler Pacific Brands (PacBrands).
Canaan Partners closes ninth fund at $600m
Canaan Partners, the venture capital firm that focuses on the US, India and Israel, has closed its ninth fund at $600 million. The new vehicle, which received commitments from both new and existing LPs, takes the firm’s total assets under management...
GA invests $125m in India’s Fourcee
General Atlantic (GA) is investing up to $125 million for a minority stake in Fourcee Infrastructure Equipment, a Mumbai-based logistics firm.
Banker formally launches $1b Indonesia fund
A new Indonesian merchant banking operation plans to raise a $1 billion private equity fund that will target investments in the country. If successful, it would be the largest ever Indonesia-focused fund as well as one of the largest vehicles of its type...
KPMG resigns as China Forestry auditor
KPMG has resigned as auditor of China Forestry Holdings, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group and Partners Group, which became embroiled in an accounting scandal early last year. The accounting firm will not stand for reappointment.
Arcapita seeks Polygel exit - sources
Bahrain-based investment company Arcapita Private Equity is planning to sell its 8% stake in Polygel Industries, an Indian manufacturer of cable gels.
Catalyst could sell Aperio for $256m by February
Catalyst Investment Managers could complete the sale of its packaging business Aperio Group to a trade buyer by February, according to a source.
NSSF considers investments in foreign PE funds
China’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is looking for investment opportunities in foreign private equity firms as part of efforts to boost returns and broaden its exposure to overseas markets.
Indian medical equipment company seeks PE funding
Sutures India, a Bangalore-based medical equipment manufacturer is seeking $25-40 million from private equity investors. The funds would be used for expansion and other purposes, but as yet no mandates have been given investment banks.
CLSA Capital Partners backs Chinese spandex producer
CLSA Capital Partners has purchased a minority stake in Artex Fiber, one of China’s largest spandex producers. The RMB250 million ($39.5 million) investment was made through ARIA Investment Partners III, a $333 million vehicle that focuses on growth...
PE-backed Indian power companies plan solar plants
Adani Group, whose publicly listed power subsidiary is backed by 3i Group, has commissioned India’s largest solar power project in what is its first foray into the renewable energy sector. The project at Kutch in Gujarat has an initial capacity of 40...
Sabre sells Australia’s Fudge hair care to PZ Cussons
Sabre has sold Australia’s Fudge hair care brand to PZ Cussons, the company behind Imperial Leather Soap, for GBP25.5 million ($39.5 million). The acquisition is intended to increase PZ Cussons’ exposure to the male grooming sector. Its product portfolio...
Jordan completes exit from Chinese mining machinery firm
The Jordan Company, a mid-market private equity firm, has concluded the sale of its holding in Chinese coal mining equipment manufacturer International Mining Machinery (IMM) to Joy Global. Regulatory approval was granted in December to a deal struck...
NewQuest hires Lung-Chi Lee as general counsel
NewQuest Capital Partners, the Hong Kong-based PE firm spun out from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoAML) last year, has hired Lung-Chi Lee as general counsel.
Sequoia, Baring in talks to sell Coastal Projects
India’s Coastal Projects, which is backed by Sequoia Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia among others, is reportedly in talks with German firm Hochtief about a possible sale of the business.
Carlyle shortlisted for Brambles Recall unit - report
The Carlyle Group has reportedly been shortlisted as a potential suitor for Recall, the document management business put on the block by Australia’s Brambles last spring.
Global PE fundraising endures weak fourth quarter
Global private equity fundraising ended 2011 weakly, with 108 funds attracting commitments of $52.4 billion in the fourth quarter, the lowest quarterly total since the start of the financial crisis. The provisional figure was marginally below the July-September...
TFG Radiant to increase holding in US solar panel maker
TFG Radiant, a joint venture between Chinese property developer Radiant Group and Singapore-based investment company Tertius Financial Group, will increase its stake in Ascent Solar Technologies. The purchase will take its holding in the company to approximately...
Indian regulator unveils plans to help promoters reduce holdings
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released proposals designed to make it easier for entrepreneurs or promoters to lower their stakes in companies in order to meet minimum public shareholding limits. Share buybacks via tender offers...
GA, ChrysCapital-backed Hexaware valued at $700m
General Atlantic (GA) and ChrysCapital have seen Hexaware Technologies, the IT services provider they put on the block several months ago, achieve a speculative valuation of $700 million.
Kotak Realty reaps 25% return on Noida IT park sale
Kotak Realty Fund, the properties arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has reaped an IRR of less than 30% on the sale of its interest in a Noida-based information technology park.
Navis-backed EKH bolts on Chinese depot operator
Eng Kong Holdings (EKH), the Singaporean container-services company owned by Navis Capital Partners, has acquired an 85% stake in Best China Development for S$14.3 million ($11.1 million).
Mayban Ventures to invest $399m over next five years
Mayban Ventures, the private equity arm of Maybank, Malaysia’s largest financial group, has announced plans to channel up to RM250 million ($399 million) into Asian deals over the next five years.
Vivo Ventures closes seventh fund at $375m
Vivo Ventures, the US and Greater China-focused healthcare investment firm, has closed its seventh fund at $375 million. The firm now has more than $1 billion under management.