EQT has increased its tender offer for Japanese online price comparison and review platform Kakaku.com, raising the stakes in an increasingly competitive buyout contest that highlights intensifying private equity activity in Japan, according to a report by Reuters.

Blackstone is to make a significant investment in South Korean robotics components manufacturer Futronic, strengthening its exposure to the fast-growing automation and industrial technology sectors, according to a report by Reuters.

Australian supermarket group Coles has ended discussions with private equity firm TPG Capital regarding a potential acquisition of Greencross Pet Wellness, bringing an end to negotiations that had attracted a cautious response from investors, according to a report by Reuters.

A consortium led by private equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners has increased its takeover proposal for Irish energy distribution group DCC for the second time in just over a month, valuing the company at up to £5.81bn ($7.9bn), according to a report by Reuters.

A majority of Recordati’s board has endorsed a €10.7bn take-private offer from private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and Belgian investment company Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, although four independent directors opposed the transaction, according to a report by Reuters.

Bridgepoint has agreed to acquire a majority stake in German laboratory testing specialist GBA Group from private equity firm Ardian in a transaction valuing the business at more than €1bn, according to a report by Reuters citing an unnamed person familiar with the deal.

KKR has agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Thomson Reuters’ Global Print business in a transaction valued at approximately $500m, with the parties forming a joint venture to manage the business as demand continues to shift from print to digital products, according to a report by Reuters.

Private equity firm I Squared Capital has agreed to sell a 25% stake in European transport equipment leasing company TIP Group to Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and GCM Grosvenor, according to a report by Bloomberg.