Latin America

Aureos backs Central American advertising

The emerging markets private equity firm has purchased preferred stock in El Salvador-based PL Movil to fund the company’s expansion into Costa Rica.

Conduit earns 2x on Mexican gas pipeline exit

The Latin America-focused private equity firm’s $90m sale of the gas infrastructure facilities represents the second investment realisation from its Latin Power III fund.

Natural Gas Partners names two managing directors

The energy specialist has promoted former Merrill Lynch investment banker David Hayes and former Hunt Oil vice president Colin Raymond from principals to managing directors.

Altra raises $75m for Colombia and Peru fund

The Colombian private equity firm has held an initial close with commitments from domestic investors before seeking an additional $35m from international investors.

Firms look to raise $7.5bn for Brazil

There are 24 private equity funds gathering capital for Brazil, raising a total of $7.5bn, including GP Investments and Stratus Group, according to a study from Ocroma Alternative Investments.

Citi Infrastructure to buy Itinere in €7.9bn deal

The deal will be the largest yet for the infrastructure heavyweight and its first in the toll road sector after its consortium's $12.8bn bid for the Pennsylvania Turnpike expired in September.

Social venture fund holds second close on $34m

Latin American venture firm Ignia’s second round added $13.6m to the fund’s first close in early June. The firm expects to hold a final close on its debut fund, which is targeting up to $75m, in early 2009.

Morgan Stanley wins $1.2bn Chicago parking deal

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has approved the bid from the investment bank’s infrastructure group to operate the city’s 36,000 metered parking spaces. The bid, if given approval by city council, would be the first long-term privatisation of a major metropolitan parking system in the US.

General Atlantic hires executive to lead Brazil team

The US-based growth investor has brought on Fernando Marques Oliveira as managing director to spearhead the firm’s ramped-up investment activity in Latin America. General Atlantic last month invested in Brazilian healthcare insurance group Qualicorp.

Investcorp, Barclays buy Italian vending machine maker for €800m

The private equity firms acquired Europe’s largest food and beverage vending machine maker from Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity and Argan Capital using about €600m of debt arranged by eight lenders.