News
Baring group looks to exit Singapore-based Courts Asia
A unit backed by Baring Private Equity and a consortium of investors is looking to sell Singapore-based furniture and electronics franchise Courts Asia for more than S$500 million ($382 million).
Blackstone’s GSO exits Stolle to Japanese strategic buyer
GSO Capital Partners, Blackstone Group’s credit business, will sell Stolle Machinery to Japan’s Toyo Seikan for $775 million. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2011, subject to regulatory approvals.
Carlyle purchases 9% stake in India Infoline
The Carlyle Group has acquired a 9% stake in the listed unit of India Infoline Group (IIFL), a retail and institutional brokerage, on the open market.
HDFC targets $600m property fund
Housing Development Finance Corp. (HDFC), India’s largest mortgage lender, is looking to raise a $600 million fund from overseas investors. It will be the firm’s property-focused vehicle.
Ex-EM Alternatives execs join Pomona’s Asia team
Pomona Capital has hired Ernest Lambers and John Stephens as managing directors in its London and Hong Kong offices, respectively, with a remit to focus on the firm’s investment programs in Asia and other emerging markets.
HSBC hires Glenn Kennedy to head regional alternatives sales
HSBC Securities Services has appointed Glenn Kennedy as regional head of sales and relationship management for the alternatives sector. Based in Hong Kong, he will be responsible for new and existing client relationships throughout Asia Pacific, with...
Global private equity fundraising down 46% in 3Q
Global fundraising by private equity vehicles closing in the third quarter was down 46% on the previous quarter, according to Preqin. A total of 97 buyout funds raised $44.8 billion in the three months ended in September compared to $82.8 billion raised...
ASK Group, Pravi Capital to launch joint PE fund
Mumbai-based financial services firm ASK Group has teamed with Pravi Capital Advisors to launch a private equity fund, with a view to investing $200 in domestic companies.
CDC focuses on direct investments, debt in India
CDC Group, the UK development finance institution, is changing its strategy in India to focus on direct investments, co-investments and debt, as well as making commitments to private equity fund managers. It will also make investments in early-stage funds.
Partners Group in mezzanine deal with Archer Capital’s QSRH
Partners Group has provided a mezzanine loan to Australian Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (QSRH), the fast food chain that Archer Capital bought from Quadrant Private Equity for A$450 million ($474 million) in June.
Blackpeak appoints Martin del Rosario as director
Newly launched regional advisory firm Blackpeak Group, which focuses on corporate, private equity and hedge fund clients, has appointed Martin del Rosario, Marsh Inc’s former private equity and M&A head for Greater China, as a director based in Hong...
Partners Capital opens in Hong Kong
Partners Capital, a private investment office with more than $7 billion of assets under management, has opened a branch in Hong Kong, its first in Asia Pacific.
BC Partners scraps listing plan for Fitness First, seeks buyers
European private equity investor BC Partners has canceled its planned GBP$1 billion ($1.6 billion) listing of global gym chain Fitness First on the Singapore Stock Exchange, and is now seeking buyers for the asset.
Navis plans for King's Safetywear exit - report
Navis Capital seeking buyers for Southeast Asian footwear brand King’s Safetywear.
Sumitomo Mitsui looks to acquire distressed lender Promise Co.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Japan’s second-largest lender, will make a $2.6 billion tender offer for all shares it does not already own in distressed consumer lender Promise Co.
Mitsubishi, Creat JV fund closes in on first deal
Mitsubishi Corp-backed Kizuna Capital Partners has identified 5-6 potential companies for the debut investment of its $120 million private equity fund and plans to close a transaction by the end of the first quarter of 2012. The alternative energy, medical...
Blue River Capital names Raman Madhok as MD
Blue River Capital, a Mumbai-based private equity investor, has appointed Raman Madhok as managing director, charged with strengthening the firm's India business.
Mobeam gets venture capital from Asian, US funds
Mobile coupon and scanning technology developer Mobeam has closed a $4.9 million Series A venture round from Samsung Ventures, the investment arm of Korean tech giant Samsung, Mitsui, a Japanese corporate conglomerate, and US-based yet2Ventures.
Intel Capital invests $20m in Indian tech companies
Intel Capital has invested $20 million in six Indian companies, including semiconductor company Saankhya Labs and Testing Czars, a mobile application provider.
Alibaba’s Jack Ma wants to buy Yahoo
Jack Ma, the founder and CEO of Chinese technology company Alibaba Group, is interested in buying Yahoo and has held discussions with other potential buyers about options.
HDFC PE unit commits $90m to Bangalore IT park
The overseas private equity unit of Housing Development Finance Corp. (HDFC) has agreed to invest $90 million in a 200-acre information technology park being planned near Bangalore airport.
MLC Private Equity invests in search engine Blekko.com
MLC Private Equity, a division of the National Australia Bank, has participated in a $30 million round of funding for search engine Blekko.com, alongside the likes of Russian internet company Yandex.
Headland completes deals in Singapore, South Korea
Headland Capital Partners has taken a minority stake in Miclyn Express Offshore (MEO), which supplies vessels to the oil and gas industry, and backed existing portfolio company Unison eTech (UET) in the acquisition of another South Korean construction...
Blackstone claims capacity to invest up to $800m a year in India
The Blackstone Group has the capacity and ability to deploy $500-800 million ever year in India if the macroeconomic environment and other factors stay favorable, according to Akhil Gupta, who oversees the firm’s India operations.