Western Europe

LPX launches UK-listed PE index(4)

LPX, a private equity data provider, has published an index of the largest liquid UK investment vehicles. LPX’s Michel Degosciu said the listed private equity returns shown by the index will encourage more firms to embrace transparency.

DIC picks up Almatis, UBS underwrites $1bn(2)

Dubai International Capital, the Middle Eastern investment firm, has bought Almatis in a secondary deal, with loans at more than six times EBITDA provided by Swiss bank UBS.

Three Delta returns to QIA for £500m equity in Sainsbury’s bid(2)

Specialist acquisition firm Three Delta’s bid for Sainsbury’s awaits an 8 November deadline as its talks with the supermarket’s pension trustees near completion.

Abraaj raises region’s largest ever fund, plans float(3)

Abraaj Capital, the Dubai-based investment firm led by Arif Naqvi, has held a record close on its infrastructure and growth capital fund as it mulls listing on the Dubai stock exchange DIFX.

Confidence slipping

Someone’s going to make a killing, but it will take nerves of steel, writes Nicholas Lockley.

EVCA criticism of Walker report could lead to “benchmark” status(4)

EVCA, the European trade body, has argued the UK private equity industry’s attempt at self-regulation, the Walker report, should address its reservations in order to become a “European benchmark”.

Warburg Pincus holds $9bn first close(2)

The global private equity firm is well on its way to a target of $12 billion for its tenth fund.

Industry prepares for future FSA investigations(4)

The industry is taking preventative steps to stave off investigation by UK regulator the Financial Services Authority by attempting to “step inside the mind of the regulator.”

Terra Firma, SUEZ may start Biffa bidding war

Montagu and Global Infrastructure Partners have agreed their Biffa bid, but the waste disposal company board’s statement that rival bidders are in due diligence caused the company’s share price to rise five percent above the offer price.

Sovereign makes 5.7 return on care business sale(2)

UK mid-market firm Sovereign Capital has sold healthcare business Complete Group making a 5.7 times return on its investment and an internal rate of return of 51 percent over five years after a bolt-on investment earlier this year.