Drop in European private equity exits via IPOs as tough conditions bite December 5, 2019 The number of European private equity exits executed via listings is declining as sponsors seek alternative routes amid challenging market conditions, new figures show. Of the European private equity exits that have taken place so far this year, just 1.4 per cent were initial public offerings (IPOs), according to Mergermarket data. Read more: Saudi Aramco [...]
Private Equity firm 3i posts 10 per cent return November 14, 2019 Listed private equity firm 3i has reported an increased half-year return of 10 per cent, boosted by good trading performance across its portfolios. The company notched up a total return of £767m for the first six months of the year, a 10 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure. Read more: Cobham buyer Advent [...]
Blackstone’s third-quarter results beat expectations October 23, 2019 Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm, has reported an increased profit for the third quarter, but a drop in the proportion of earnings that could be returned to shareholders. The group posted a profit of $779m (£605m) for the third quarter, up from $443m a year earlier. Read more: Takeover titan and Blackstone boss [...]
Value of deals taking UK-listed firms private trebles October 21, 2019 The value of private equity (PE) deals taking UK-listed companies private has more than trebled over the past year, as the valuation premium of listed companies compared to private firms narrows. The total valuation of deals taking UK-listed firms off the stock market more than trebled in 2018/19 to £14bn, according to new research by [...]
European private equity buyouts climb to 12-year high October 9, 2019 Private equity buyout investment in European companies grew significantly during the third quarter, with UK buyouts jumping almost 70 per cent. The total volume of buyouts across Europe reached a 12-year high during the period with 296 deals, according to research released today by Unquote Data. Total deal value increased 28 per cent on the [...]
PAI Partners cooking up bid for Mary Berry food group October 3, 2019 Private equity firm PAI Partners is reportedly preparing a bid for a food group behind a brace of UK brands including Linda McCartney, Hartley’s jam, and Mary Berry desserts. The Paris-based firm is in discussions about a possible acquisition of Hain Daniels Group, the UK arm of US-based firm Hain Celestial, Sky News reported. Hain [...]
Oakley Capital Investments reports first half jump in net asset value September 11, 2019 Listed investment firm Oakley Capital Investments (OCI) has reported a jump increase in net asset value (NAV) during the first half of the year, and an increase in the value of its underlying portfolio companies. OCI – which invests in the funds of Oakley Capital – reported a net asset value per share of £3.18 and [...]
UK private equity deal values double during strong first half September 4, 2019 UK companies led European private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) activity during the first half of 2019, with the value of PE buyouts more than doubling. Overall PE buyout and related deal values for UK firms climbed to €23.3bn (£21.2bn) during the first half, an increase of 124 per cent on the €10.4bn seen [...]
Blackrock buys $875m stake in Authentic Brands August 12, 2019 Blackrock has bought an $875m (£727m) stake in Authentic Brands, making it the largest shareholder in the celebrity licensing company that owns brand rights to Marilyn Monroe and Muhammed Ali The acquisition of a controlling stake in Authentic Brands, which also owns Sports Illustrated and Juicy Couture, marks the first investment for Blackrock’s new private [...]
Scrapped: Guy Hands ‘pulls out of takeover plans’ for German Cartonplast August 8, 2019 Private equity magnate Guy Hands is said to have abandoned takeover plans for a European packaging business. His firm, Terra Firma Capital Partners, has withdrawn from negotiations to buy German packaging company Cartonplast, according to Sky News. The withdrawal raises questions about the ability of one of the most prominent British financiers to land fresh [...]