Western Europe

Bridgepoint kickstarts €4bn fundraising(2)

The European mid-market firm Bridgepoint is beginning discussions with investors for its fourth fund, targeting a 45 percent increase on its 2005 fund Bridgepoint Europe III.

A law with few friends(4)

Germany’s coalition government is working on a law for private equity. A number of drafts have been published, but no one seems satisfied, writes editorial director Philip Borel.

AAC Capital Partners steps out of ABN AMRO's shadow(3)

The Dutch bank captive arm has put the seal on its independence with a new name for a tried and tested strategy. Under its new moniker, the firm has €1.8bn of fresh capital to invest.

European investors embrace transparency, US counterparts remain sceptical

Differences remain between European and US investors, according to the latest research. The former also backed the re-emergence of European venture as opposed to their circumspect peers in the US.

Palamon-led consortium helps HSBC streamline credit card portfolio

European mid-market firms Palamon and Electra Private Equity as well as Morgan Stanley’s alternative investment arm have bought two high-risk credit cards from HSBC at a discount.

Anne Glover: Countdown to 2008

Amadeus Capital Partners' chief executive sees good cause for optimism for technology investors in 2008.

The CBI backs review of carry tax egged on by unions(2)

Buyout firms came under fire again at the meeting of UK unionists at the TUC, while business lobby group the Confederation for British Industry, led by Richard Lambert, endorsed calls for a wide-ranging examination of the industry’s tax treatment.

MTS and Oaktree add to home healthcare portfolio(2)

MTS Health Investors and Oaktree Capital Management have acquired Links2Care to grow the pediatric home healthcare arm of their portfolio company Loving Care Agency.

Helping hand(2)

The Walker Report has given the Delta Two bid for J Sainsbury an extra sheen of respectability and is a sign the industry may take compliance seriously, writes Nicholas Lockley, editor of PEO.

Catalyst closes $170m funds below target(4)

Catalyst Investors has closed its second buyout fund and a UK co-investment vehicle on $170 million, below their initial target of $250 million.