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Research for the 2011 Preqin Sovereign Wealth Fund Review publication has revealed that the aggregate AUM of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) currently stands at almost USD4 trillion, making 2010 the second year running in which SWF AUM has increased by 11%. The proportion of SWFs investing in alternatives also rose over 2010, despite the challenging financial climate.
SWFs are both large and important investors in alternative assets. They have longer-term investment horizons than other investors, and generally do not have to meet as many liabilities. They are therefore better able to commit larger proportions of their portfolios to longer-term
Piraeus Equity Partners, a company of Piraeus Bank Group, and Positive Energy have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at implementing an investment program for the installation of photovoltaic systems on industrial rooftops.
Piraeus Equity Partners together with its subsidiary, Piraeus Equity Advisors, are the private equity investment branch of Piraeus Bank Group. Positive Energy is one of the leading EPC providers in Renewable Energy Sources solutions in Southeastern Europe.
The first phase of this cooperation is the installation of two 1MWp photovoltaic systems on industrial rooftops in Northern Greece, and is currently the largest photovoltaic project to
Figures issued today show that the value of investment fund business in Guernsey grew by GBP14.3 billion (5.9%) during the final quarter of last year.
The increase represents the sixth consecutive quarter of growth and takes the net asset value of funds under management and administration in the Island to a new record high of GBP257.4 billion at the end of December 2010. This is a rise of GBP73.2 billion (39.7%) compared to the end of December 2009.
Peter Niven, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island’s finance industry – says: “It is extremely pleasing
Intertek, a provider of quality and safety services, has entered into an agreement to acquire Moody International (Moody) from alternative investment firm Investcorp.
Moody is a worldwide technical services organisation dedicated to reducing clients’ risks by providing technical inspection services, technical staffing services, consulting and training, and global management system certification and is a market leader in its chosen segments. It has 2,500 employees in 60 countries.
Moody’s services are used by engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) companies, energy companies and component manufacturers involved in the construction and operation of energy facilities. It is the leading provider of visual technical
bubbles & beyond, a technology company focusing on customised intelligent fluids, has closed a second financing round. All existing investors – LBBW Venture Capital, S-Beteiligungen, Hightech-Gruenderfonds and KfW – participated in the round, which totals EUR1.2m.
The new funds will be used to strengthen the international market presence of bubbles & beyond and to broaden its internal development capacities in order to meet the increasing demand for customised intelligent fluids in various industry sectors. This includes diversified commercialisation opportunities in the printing industry, microelectronics, and facility cleaning sectors in Europe and Japan. bubbles & beyond already markets products for graffiti
Deal activity is becoming a vital component of the China growth story, according to a new report from Baird, a global investment bank with extensive experience in middle market, cross-border M&A and offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
In its twice-yearly China M&A Market report, Baird examines emerging trends in the world’s second largest economy. With inbound deal count up 18% in 2010 and outbound deal count up almost 25%, the outlook for cross-border deals in 2011 and beyond is positive, according to Anthony Siu, Managing Director and Head of Asia Investment Banking.
“Last year, M&A rebounded
Offshore Business Solutions has appointed Dawn Cummings as Managing Director.
As well as serving as an independent director on the boards of various investment management companies, Cummings also oversees a team of professionals in the provision of custom-tailored solutions for investment management companies incorporated in the Cayman Islands and other offshore financial centres.
Chairman of the Board Aldo Ghisletta says: "This is an exciting development, and Dawn’s addition to our team is integral in further enhancing our ability to serve a growing client base. Her outstanding capabilities and experience in the industry will help us to ensure OBS continues
The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has responded to suggestions by George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, that there is a “question mark” over the merits of Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and the support the scheme gives to growth businesses.
Ian Sayers (pictured), Director General of AIC, says: “VCTs have a unique track record of investment in hundreds of small businesses and have met their funding needs when banks have not been prepared to support them. In the last 10 years the sector has invested in more than 750 companies which would otherwise have struggled to raise capital. VCTs
Portland-based private equity group Riverlake Partners has sold SP Industries, Inc, a leading designer and manufacturer of laboratory products and pharmaceutical production equipment, to an affiliate of Graham Partners of Newtown Square, PA.
“During our ownership period, several value-creating initiatives were implemented,” says Erik Krieger, founder and managing partner of Riverlake Partners. “As a result, SP became a great example of our core investment strategy: to acquire smaller market companies and to make strategic, add-on acquisitions and improvements through the hands-on expertise of our partners. We now expect Graham Partners to be a great new private equity sponsor for SP.
Sarona Asset Management successfully closed the 2011 series offering of its Sarona Frontier Markets Fund I LP on January 31st, with over USD22 million in investor commitments raised.
The fund is a global industry first – a private equity fund-of-funds that offers investors an aggressive strategy of financial, social, and environmental targets in developing country markets. It is a response to investor calls for more creativity in ‘impact investment’ offerings.
"Never before have investors been able to find global diversification and high value impact in one instrument. This fund captures the significant developing country upside, and marries it with the human and
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