Middle East

Abraaj targets $2bn for infrastructure fund

Dubai-based buyout firm Abraaj Capital will hold the second close of its infrastructure and growth capital fund in September, and is on course for a final close on $2 billion by the end of the year.

Halabi mulls suing Duke Street over Esporta(2)

French bank Société Générale’s failure to syndicate a £330 million loan backing Esporta pulled the plug on the property tycoon Simon Halabi’s acquisition vehicles. Halabi is considering suing Duke Street Capital, Esporta’s previous owner, and the prior management of the company.

Darby launches $248m central, eastern Europe mezz fund(3)

Franklin Templeton Investments’ buyout arm has launched the largest mezzanine fund in central and eastern Europe.

Halabi mulls suing Duke Street over Esporta

French bank Société Générale’s failure to syndicate a £330 million loan backing Esporta pulled the plug on the property tycoon Simon Halabi’s acquisition vehicles. Halabi is considering suing Duke Street Capital, Esporta’s previous owner, and the prior management of the company.

Ford sells Aston Martin to international consortium

UK motorsport veteran has teamed up with a US banker and two Middle Eastern private equity funds to win the $850 million race for Aston Martin.

Actera exceeds target by 30% to raise $475m

Turkish mid-market buyout firm Actera has raised the largest fund in the country from investors including sovereign wealth fund GIC and Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Debt turmoil hits Esporta(3)

French bank Société Générale, having failed to syndicate a £330 million loan backing Simon Halabi’s acquisition of Esporta from Duke Street Capital, has pulled the plug on the property tycoon’s deal vehicles - although the gyms continue to trade profitably, administrators say.

Sainsbury’s considers Qatari £500m equity increase(2)

Qatari investment arm Three Delta is likely to increase the equity component of its offer for FTSE 100-listed Sainsbury’s to meet concerns of the board that the company will be over-leveraged.

Darby launches $248m central, eastern Europe mezz fund(2)

Franklin Templeton Investments’ buyout arm has launched the largest mezzanine fund in central and eastern Europe.

Boston Ventures in telecom deal(3)

Boston Ventures is to buy a local US cable and telecom company, marking the middle market firm’s fifth investment from its seventh, $500 million fund.