Firms and Funds

LONDON (Reuters) – The European private equity industry will propose on Thursday a unified code of conduct to the European Commission, however it will stop short of offering compulsory rules binding the entire industry. As the economic downturn across Europe pushes companies to the brink of bankruptcy, private equity firms have come under intense scrutiny […]

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – DBS Group’s (DBSM.SI) private equity arm said on Thursday it set up a $100 million fund in China to invest in unlisted companies there. “The initiative reinforces DBS’ commitment to expand its franchise in the country, and underscores the bank’s conviction in the strength and potential of the Chinese economy,” the Singapore […]

Energy Capital Partners is raising up to $3.5 billion for its second fund, according to a regulatory filing. Park Hill Group and Bel Air Securities are serving as placement agents. The Short Hills, N.J.-based private equity firm focuses on North American energy infrastructure opportunities, primarily in the power generation, renewable, electric transmission and midstream gas sectors. […]

March 3 is a very big day for the financial sector. It’s the deadline to report their fourth quarter earnings, and you can bet those are going to be some depressing calls. Aside from KKR and Blackstone, peHUB will be closely watching announcements from the BDCs. In particular, we’ll be interested in Allied Capital and […]

(Reuters) – Canada’s biggest pension fund manager, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, said on Wednesday it had lost a massive C$39.8 billion ($31.6 billion) in 2008, prompting the Quebec government to announce an investigation into what happened. The Caisse, an arm’s-length agency that manages investments for various public and private pension plans in […]

(Reuters) – John Costas and Michael Hutchins, who once ran UBS AG’s (UBS.N) now defunct hedge fund Dillon Read Capital Management LLC, are reuniting to start a financial-services firm, a report by Bloomberg news agency said. Costas, Hutchins and Matthew Johnson, who was also a trader at Dillon Read, plan to open a boutique firm […]

Hellman & Friedman has held a $6 billion first close on its seventh fund, according to LBO Wire. The firm is targeting $10 billion. www.hf.com

Locust Walk Partners has launched as a strategic and transactional advisory firm for the life sciences market. It has offices in Boston and Philadelphia, and is led by industry vets Geoff Meyerson and Jay Mohr. PRESS RELEASE Locust Walk Partners (LWP) announced today the formation of its boutique strategic and transaction advisory firm. LWP provides […]

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) reported a 2008 net investment loss of approximately C$8 billion. Its private equity rate-of-return was -13.7 percent.

Apax Partners has sold a 7.7% stake in its management company to Singaporean sovereign wealth fund unit GIC Special Investments and Australia’s state workers pension fund Future Fund. The deal sees the UK private equity firm secure a source of permanent capital to invest in its buyout funds. Apax was keen to stress that unlike […]