Private equity giant KKR has withdrawn from a multibillion-pound recapitalisation deal for Thames Water, casting fresh doubt over the future of the UK’s largest water utility and putting renewed focus on distressed infrastructure investment opportunities, according top a report by Reuters.

Abu Dhabi’s National Central Cooling Company PJSC, also known as Tabreed, backed by Engie, and global private equity firm CVC Capital Partners have entered exclusive negotiations to acquire PAL Cooling Holding (PCH), the district cooling subsidiary of Multiply Group, in a transaction expected to exceed $1bn, according to a report by Reuters citing sources familiar with the matter.

TPG Angelo Gordon has emerged as one of the latest entrants in the court-supervised auction of Citgo Petroleum’s parent company, PVD Holding, as creditor claims against the Venezuelan government fuel interest in the high-profile asset sale, according to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter.

Italian private equity firm Nextalia has welcomed two new shareholders as the Moratti and Gavio families invest via their respective family offices, reinforcing the firm’s position as an independent platform for private markets in Italy, according to a report by Reuters.

A shareholder in Skechers USA has filed suit in the US District Court for the Central District of California, seeking to block the footwear giant’s $9.4bn take-private transaction with 3G Capital until further disclosures are made, according to a report by Reuters.

IK Partners, through its Small Cap III Fund, has signed an agreement to invest in Kestrel Capital, a Dublin-based independent wealth management firm. The investment, made from IK’s dedicated Development Capital pool, marks the private equity firm’s first platform deal in Ireland.