Royal Ahold NV today announced that it has (finally) agreed to sell its U.S. Foodservice distribution unit to KKR and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for $7.1 billion. What it didn’t announce, however, were any other financial details. So here they are: The total transaction price includes $2.6 billion in equity and $4.5 billion in funded debt, […]
For the first time in a long time, the day’s big financial story has nothing to do with private equity. That story, of course, is Rupert Murdoch’s $5 billion (opening) bid for Dow Jones. But could it have something to do with private equity? Could there be rival bidder? The smart money says “no,” given […]
The proposed Harman buyout has prompted lots of nattering about “stub equity” and other such incentives designed to prompt shareholder approval of public-to-private buyouts. One possible ramification I haven’t seen mentioned yet, however, is that such deals could help spur further growth of the direct secondaries market. After all, I don’t quite see mutual funds […]
Most institutional investors, I imagine, are sympathetic to the plight of buyout professionals facing the prospect of paying higher taxes on carried interest. They recognize that a big reason so many bright people have migrated to private equity is that no where else (other than the hedge fund business, perhaps) can they get so wealthy […]
During last week’s Buyouts Symposium East, I moderated a debate between Kevin Conway of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Andrew Ross Sorkin of The New York Times. The umbrella topic was if the current buyout model is sustainable, particularly given increased market publicity and scrutiny. The overall conversation was about 35 minutes long, and I’ve […]
The Service Employees’ International Union has issued a 44-page report that essentially asks buyout firms to share their prosperity with portfolio company workers. I wrote a bit about it yesterday, and had a few more thoughts once I woke up this morning. So here goes: *** Are you thinking something along the lines of: “Who cares […]
Updated after jump: The Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) has just released a 44-page report that asks buyout firms to share their prosperity with the workers at their portfolio companies. I just got my copy and am about to hop on an SEIU media call, but here are its three basic points: 1. The buyout industry […]
Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners blinked yesterday, when they agreed to up their per share bid for Clear Channel Communications from $37.60 to $39. Early indications are that the increase still might not sway opposition shareholders like Fidelity Investments, but the move lends credence to an argument far larger than any one deal: […]
The first-ever Buyouts Awards dinner just concluded, and what follows is a list of the winners: Firm of the Year The Carlyle Group Deal of the Year Cerberus — GMAC Mega-Deal of the Year Cerberus — GMAC Large-Market Deal of the Year Bain/Carlyle/TH Lee — Dunkin’ Brands Middle-Market Deal of the Year Wellspring Capital — […]
Last week, I expressed astonishment that two Dow Chemical executives would solicit buyout offers without the board’s knowledge or authorization. These were rogue employees who hoped their brazenness might result in such a good offer that the board would forgive their misdeeds… Misguided for certain, and unusual within a “don’t rock the boat” company like Dow… Right? Well, […]