San Francissco-based middle-market firm Genstar has closed its fifth fund on $1.55 billion – more than triple the amount it raised in 2004.
UK government-backed fund-of-funds CDC Group has invested in a microfinance fund, which provides banking services to emerging markets. Microfinance has grown more than seven times in the last ten years.
Warburg Pincus has led the funding round into Ukraine consumer lending business IMB Group, as private equity firms step up their involvement in the country.
The US’ largest pension fund has committed $500 million to Health Evolution Partners, a new private equity firm it created in part to lower the cost of enrollee health benefits. An additional $200 million has been allocated for similarly health-oriented fund of funds.
Fresh details have emerged in Blackstone’s latest pre-IPO filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission about the long-term nature of its deal with China’s overseas investment vehicle.
A consortium of big-name banks, hedge funds and private equity firms has increased by 2.5 percent its offer for higher education provider Laureate. The board-agreed amendment increases the price-per share to $62, up from $60.50.
Nordic private equity firm EQT is chasing down the final cheques from “friends and family” investors in its industrial network for its second mezzanine fund, which could see it close on almost €500 million, a regional record.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Norwest Equity has invested alongside Lightyear Capital construction equipment rental firm Neff in a $900 million transaction, and simultaneously announced the sale of logistics services provider Jacobson Companies to Oak Hill.
Abraaj Capital, a Dubai buyout firm, is leading a consortium to take the Egyptian Fertilisers Company private eclipsing the firm’s previous record-breaking investment in EFG-Hermes, an Egyptian investment bank.
Carlyle’s purchase of Atlanta, Georgia-based RMI adds to its business services portfolio, while reinforcing investment trends in infrastructure and transport/logistics firms.
IFR Capital, an AIM-listed joint venture between food entrepreneur Heiner Kamps and Nomura spinout ACP Capital, has bought Homann Chilled Food for about €180 million – a relatively low valuation for a deal in the sector.
UK buyout firm Terra Firma has sold Thresher Group to a consortium led by Duke Street Capital founder Eddie Truell. Sources insisted the firm has made a profit on the deal, despite reports that it had been forced to sell the group at a loss.
Alistair Baillie, industry veteran and founder of IPH, a port infrastructure vehicle, has sold to Global Infrastructure Partners for an undisclosed sum.
PAI Partners has abandoned its joint bid with CVC Capital Partners for Spanish cigarette company Altadis. An insider said the split had been amicable in the face of opposition from the French and Spanish governments.
CVC Capital Partners and PAI Partners’ bid for Altadis, the maker of Gauloise, Gitanes and Fortuna cigarettes, is reportedly experiencing difficulties in the face of opposition from the French and Spanish governments while the group remains split about the final structure of the bid.