Western Europe

KKR spends another $660 million in Singapore(2)

The shareholders of Singaporean engineering company MMI have accepted a take-private bid from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The S$1.65 per share offer values the company at about $660 million.

Paul Capital launches co-investment business(2)

San Francisco-based Paul Capital Investments has hired Dana O’Brien, a Cornerstone Equity co-founder, to lead a New York-based programme for co-investment alongside the firm’s GP relationships.

Dolphin makes splash in Cyprus(2)

Dolphin Capital Investors, the Fortress-backed private equity firm that focuses on Southeast Europe, is acquiring Aristo Developments for a total of €438m.

Advent buys French discount chain(2)

Advent International has snapped up Stokomani, a French discount retailer, from the Alpha Group.

Bridgepoint cleared for landing at Leeds-Bradford(2)

Buyout firm Bridgepoint Capital has emerged as the preferred bidder for UK-based Leeds Bradford Airport. Its offer, which according to reports is worth about £130 million, has trumped that of four other bidders.

Sainsbury’s shares slide as consortium disintegrates(2)

Shares in Sainsbury’s, a UK retail chain at the centre of a controversial £10 billion private equity bid, slid this morning as two more of the buyout firms involved reportedly pulled out of the deal. The news followed continuing opposition from pension fund trustees and minority shareholders.

Coller buys into Shell venture fund(2)

UK-based secondaries specialist Coller Capital has bought a 45 percent stake in a new independent venture fund launched by Shell, which will develop non-proprietary technologies.

Blackstone cedes La Tasca to Tchenguiz(2)

The Blackstone Group has admitted defeat in its attempt to buy La Tasca, a UK tapas chain, after property investor Robert Tchenguiz bought up a blocking stake and trumped its bid for a second time.

ICAP sells Exotix shares to IPGL(2)

ICAP, the world’s largest inter-dealer broker, has sold 58 percent of its stake in the emerging markets broker Exotix to investment group IPGL and the company’s employees.

KKR pulls out of Sainsbury’s bid(2)

US firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has pulled out of the private equity consortium circling UK retailer Sainsbury’s, amid growing concerns that its ongoing bid for Alliance Boots could lead to competition issues.