Western Europe

Northern Rock shares drop on low-ball bids(3)

The UK Treasury has made clear it can offer no guarantee of prolonged funding, causing potential bidders to make cautious indicative offers.

Darby backs Indian coffee company

Investments in consumer-related industries in India continue to soar as the private equity arm of Franklin Templeton Investments takes a stake Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company.

Report: Askar Capital launches $500m Indian fund(4)

Weeks after opening a Romanian office and co-launching a €150m fund of funds, the Icelandic investment bank has reportedly said it will partner with Nikhil Gandhi’s Sea King Infrastructure on a $500 million private equity fund.

TA Associates makes 4x in a year selling to DIFC(4)

TA Associates has made a four times return from the sale of SmartStream Technologies to Middle Eastern firm DIFC Investments after deciding against an initial public offering.

TSM Capital makes second investment(2)

Fashion-focussed TSM Capital is backing Rachel Roy, a financially astute designer to develop profitable handbags and accessories.

HSBC in second deal since re-launch

The UK arm of HSBC Private Equity has done its second deal since returning ‘to the UK mid-market proper’ after a 5-year hiatus that saw the spin-out of its in-house private equity group.

Rock prefers Virgin, WL Ross consortium(2)

A consortium led by Virgin Group and including WL Ross has tabled a preferred bid for struggling UK bank Northern Rock. The bid provides shareholders with a way to benefit from the upside of any turnaround.

Graphite Enterprise Trust sells Huntress to Nomura-backed team(3)

Secondary sale nets healthy return for the quoted buyout trust. Graphite backed the recruitment business from start-up to a network of 17 offices.

TA Associates makes 4x in a year selling to DIFC(3)

TA Associates has made a four times return from the sale of SmartStream Technologies to Middle Eastern firm DIFC Investments after deciding against an initial public offering.

Report: Executives dispute crunch’s consequences

Buyout executives at a conference in Munich are attempting to talk up the opportunities that are available in today’s troubled markets, although Alchemy Partners’ Jon Moulton dwelled on the bad news that is to come.