Stifel flags disclosure concerns from private equity trust March 20, 2025 Investment bank Stifel has flagged disclosure concerns in a private equity trust that has cut back on the level of detail it provides around its loans. While examining HgCapital Trust’s recent report and accounts, Stifel analysts claimed that there was less disclosure and commentary around debt in the fund than there had been a year [...]
Asda owner TDR Capital weighing up David Lloyd sale March 14, 2025 TDR Capital, the private equity giant behind the likes of Asda, is considering selling gym chain David Lloyd to itself. The firm has hired Jefferies to explore its options which could include transferring its stake from one of its funds to another while securing new investors. According to the FT, which first reported the story, [...]
Assura likely to recommend new KKR offer to investors March 10, 2025 Healthcare property group Assura said it has received an indicative, non-binding proposal from KKR and Stonepeak Partners for 49.4p per share. The offer, which is a premium of 31.9 per cent to the closing share price of 37.4 pence on February 13, values Assura’s share capital at about £1.6bn. Assura’s share price shot up by [...]
Number of private equity deals in sport soared in 2024, report says March 9, 2025 The number of major sports acquisitions and mergers by Private Equity has nearly doubled in the last 12 months. Private Equity deals have risen from 96 in 2023 to 190 in 2024, according to a new report. Financial advisory firm Oaklins states that there has been an overall 44 per cent increase in deals – [...]
Bistrot Pierre: Jobs lost and restaurants closed as chain rescued March 7, 2025 Almost 160 jobs have been lost and a number of restaurants are to close after Bistrot Pierre was sold out of administration to a private equity firm. A vehicle owned by Cherry Equity Partners has snapped up part of the Nottingham-headquartered chain in a deal which has saved 394 roles and ten sites. However, eight [...]
Boots to be taken over by US private equity firm in $10bn deal March 7, 2025 Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), the owner of Boots, has agreed to a $10bn (£7.8bn) takeover by a US private equity firm. Sycamore Partners is expected to complete the takeover by the end of the year. The US-listed WBA said of the deal: “[Sycamore’s] experience in retail and consumer services would ensure WBA was better positioned [...]
Six Nations investors CVC bids $1bn for major tennis competitions March 3, 2025 Private equity giant CVC Capital Partners are set to bid for a portfolio of high-profile tennis events worth £790m that includes the Madrid and Miami Opens. It could see the Six Nations investor add to its existing tennis interests, which include a commercial joint venture with the WTA launched in 2023. The portfolio – currently [...]
Just Eat shares rise 50 per cent on £3.3bn Prosus deal February 24, 2025 Global tech firm Prosus has made an offer to acquire Just Eat Takeaway.com for £3.3bn. The Amsterdam-based firm said it intends to launch the offer “as soon as practically possible”, which the company said was likely to be in the second quarter. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the year. [...]
Government backtracks on tax hike for private equity firms February 18, 2025 The government has reversed a decision to hike taxes on private equity firms by ditching changes to the tax treatment of members at limited liability partnerships (LLPs). The new guidelines, which were released last year, targeted salaried members on what tax contribution they pay, which affected the partner compensation at most firms. Before the new changes, members [...]
UK government acting ‘too slow’ on growth agenda, says City boss February 11, 2025 While Tim Levene is supportive of the government’s growth agenda, the fintech boss feels things are moving too slowly for the City to be hopeful of a boost to equity markets anytime soon. The CEO of Augmentum Fintech said he has already met Chancellor Rachel Reeves three times since the election, including attending the government’s [...]