Reuters News

SNC-Lavalin to buy WS Atkins for $3.6 bln, CDPQ to finance: Reuters

Canadian engineering and construction company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc said it would buy British engineering and consultancy firm WS Atkins Plc for $3.6 billion, firming up an indicative offer it made earlier this month, Reuters reported. The combination creates a global company specializing in professional services and project management with $12.1 billion in revenue. Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), SNC's biggest shareholder, will extend a loan of $1.5 billion to SNC and buy $400 million of equity in the company to help finance the acquisition.

U.S. venture capital firm raises $10 million in six-hour token sale: Reuters

U.S.-based venture capital firm Blockchain Capital LLC said on Thursday it raised $10 million in six hours in a sale of its digital tokens to investors. The company did not say when the sale occurred.

UK's Exova to be bought by Element Materials in 620-million-pound deal: Reuters

British materials testing company Exova Group (EXO.L) said on Wednesday UK-based Element Materials Technology would buy it in a deal valued at 620.3 million pounds.

Loblaw to sell gas station business to Brookfield for $540 mln: Reuters

Canadian grocery and pharmacy retailer Loblaw Cos Ltd said on Wednesday it would sell its gas station business to asset manager Brookfield Business Partners LP for about $540 million (US$402.17 million).

Blackstone's first-quarter earnings more than double: Reuters

Blackstone Group LP (BX.N), the largest manager of assets such as private equity and real estate, reported a 165 percent first-quarter earnings rise on Thursday, as the value of its holdings soared and it generated record proceeds selling some of them.

Schroders agrees to buy Swiss private equity firm Adveq: Reuters

British asset manager Schroders (SDR.L) said on Thursday it had agreed to buy Swiss-based private equity firm Adveq Holding for an undisclosed sum.

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala secures $2.5 billion private equity investment from France's Ardian: Reuters

European fund manager Ardian will invest $2.5 billion in private equity funds run by Mubadala Capital, an arm of Abu Dhabi's state fund Mubadala, the companies said on Thursday, the first time Mubadala has accepted capital from a third-party investor, Reuters reported.

Sweden's SCA rejected $25 billion bid for hygiene arm, says report: Reuters

Sweden's SCA (SCAb.ST) has rejected a recent bid for its hygiene arm and an offer last year for its forestry business, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

S.Korea's ING Life banks on high dividends to help sell $1.2 bln IPO: Reuters

Private equity-owned ING Life Insurance Korea is banking on its hefty dividend payouts to draw investors to its planned initial public offering (IPO) that could raise as much as $1.2 billion in one of South Korea's bigger public floats, Reuters reported.

KKR-led group ups ante in bidding war for Australia's Tatts lotto: Reuters

A group backed by private equity firm KKR & Co (KKR.N) on Wednesday said it had made a revised A$6.15 billion ($4.65 billion) offer for Australia's biggest lottery operator Tatts Group Ltd (TTS.AX), upping the ante in a bidding war against Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (TAH.AX).