Western Europe

Index banks on the weather(3)

Index Ventures and New Enterprise Associates are backing a website that allows companies to hedge their exposure to the weather. In the US alone £3.8 trillion is at risk, according to estimates.

CCMP closes ‘debut’ fund on $3.4bn(3)

JP Morgan spin-out CCMP Capital has closed its first global fund, which will focus on buyout and growth equity opportunities.

Phoenix picks up organic box company(4)

UK mid-market firm Phoenix Equity Partners has bought Abel & Cole, the organic box company in its sixth investment from the fund it raised last year.

Graphite completes turnaround of heating company(3)

Graphite Capital, the UK mid-market private equity firm, has sold Applied Energy, having grown sales at the business by 38 percent after buying it nearly six years ago from a joint venture owned by Marconi and GE.

Edmond de Rothschild, 3i acquire hotel website(4)

Through the purchase of website FastBooking, two private equity firms are looking to take advantage of the growing trend of internet booking.

On a need to know basis(2)

There is no reason why private equity pay should be publicly disclosed, writes Private Equity International's Philip Borel.

BVCA members draw in their horns

The majority of the BVCA’s members believe the problems in the worldwide credit markets will lead to a downturn in the UK economy. BVCA chief executive Simon Walker argues the asset class will prove its mettle in more gloomy times.

UK buyout firms feast before the famine(4)

The liquidity problems in the debt markets did not restrain record third quarter figures in the UK as deals were signed before the beginning August. However, big four accountant Deloitte said it expects few deals to complete in the next quarter.

Actis backs Halliburton spin-out for oil & gas push(4)

Actis, the emerging markets buyout firm, has made its first investment in Pakistan in nine years making a growth capital investment in ex-Halliburton oil and gas services company LMKR.

Winning the war(2)

The competition for private equity listings in Europe is fierce. London has clawed back a victory under its old regime. In November, the gloves come off, writes Nicholas Lockley.