Western Europe

Boots second lien syndication postponed indefinitely

The underwriting banks syndicating the Alliance Boots debt package have pulled the second lien tranche of the debt package, just a week after they were forced to postpone syndication of the senior debt for the deal.

Buyouts break European record

The industry is braced for a slow down as buyouts hit a European high in the first half of 2007. The second half looks more restrained after the banking liquidity crisis of the summer. Continental European deals were among the largest, said Tom Lamb, co-head Barclays Private Equity.

Campbell to become chairman if Three Delta triumphs, Mellor not involved(2)

Three Delta has confirmed Tony Campbell will become chairman of UK supermarket Sainsbury’s if its offer succeeds, although the Sainsbury family is reportedly set against the deal.

Great Circle buys $21.1m stake in Russian logistics firm(3)

Stamford, Connecticut-based Great Circle has made its second investment in Russia with the injection of $21.1 million of growth capital into logistics company STS Logistics.

HMV sells off Japan arm to DSM(3)

DSM Investments has won the battle to buy the 62-store Japanese operation of UK-listed music and books retailer HMV Group, which decided to sell the division following a strategic review.

Rutland makes 2.7 times return from pawnbroking(2)

Rutland has ended its three year investment in pawnbroking, making a 2.7 times return from the sale of Svensk Pantbelaning to Preato Capital a year after larger European business Harvey & Thompson was floated on AIM.

Charterhouse Group to make 7x logistics exit(3)

New York-based Charterhouse Group will sell waste management logistics company Oakleaf Global to New Mountain Capital for $655 million.

3i infrastructure fund goes into oil tank storage

3i said today it had already invested half of the £700 million listed infrastructure fund it raised in March, after buying a minority stake in three oil tank storage operations.

3i makes second US growth capital investment

The UK-listed private equity group has made a growth capital investment in a Canadian plastic manufacturer – its second North American deal since opening a US office last year.

Moulton puts £12m into drugs clinic

UK private equity contrarian Jon Moulton has personally funded a purpose-built private drug addiction treatment centre in Kent.