Western Europe

Carlyle takes top spot with €5.35bn European fund

David Rubenstein’s fundraising machine has marched to the top of the fundraising pile with Carlyle’s latest European fund taking its global firepower to almost $25 billion.

Morgan Stanley closes $500m distressed debt fund of funds(3)

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners has closed its first distressed debt fund of funds, as the bank continues to expand its private equity activities after pulling out of the market in 2004.

Stork’s weak trading statement boosts Candover bid(2)

UK buyout firm Candover’s bid for Dutch industrial group Stork has been boosted by poor second quarter results at the industrial group, as the group’s earnings dropped €35 million.

Stork’s weak trading statement boosts Candover bid

UK buyout firm Candover’s bid for Dutch industrial group Stork has been boosted by poor second quarter results at the industrial group, as the group’s earnings dropped €35 million.

Hands takes EMI(2)

Guy Hands’ Terra Firma has won the 90 percent shareholder acceptance needed to secure EMI.

TDR, Capricorn agree to Cinven’s £559m potential bid for Gondola

Cinven has said it is considering making an offer for the quoted owner of two UK pizza chains, whose main shareholders have agreed to sell.

Greenhill joins JO Hambro for first UK deal

The European buyout arm of US bank Greenhill has joined forces with UK fund manager JO Hambro for its first deal since closing a £106 million fund this year. The pair have bought UK snooker club operator Rileys.

Select committee says more scrutiny required(2)

The UK Treasury Select Committee, which has been investigating private equity all summer, has published its initial findings – and concluded that a closer investigation is required of the industry’s tax treatment, use of leverage, and attempts to improve transparency.

Milestone continues rebound with fourth exit this year(3)

Milestone Capital Partners looks to have completed the latest in a string of successful exits after agreeing to sell its stake in data room business IX Europe – just weeks after selling port terminal operation Nordic Limited to Forth Ports for a four times return.

A law with few friends

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.