GIF - Inside the HL offices when the deal was approved

Good Greave, How Much?

News, WEEKLY SPIN

The UK’s largest stockbroker, Hargreaves Lansdown, has agreed to a PE takeover led by a group of investors that include CVC Group, Nordic Capital Advisors and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. The deal is equivalent to £5.4 billion. The firm was established in Bristol in 1981 by Peter Hargreaves and Stephen Lansdown. The champagne corks will be flying through the air as the founders take stock of what has been an incredible success story. An initial offer in May, which valued the company at £4.7 billion, was rejected. Through June 2024, the stockbroker’s reported earnings and revenues were up 4% respectively. It is believed that the new owners will focus on investment in technology and service enhancement as they look to drive growth. It will mean saying Au Revoir to the FTSE 100. The suspense, it seems, is over as the Bristol brokerage prepares to embark on a new journey.

Inspired by CNBC

Meme - Yes, very pleased with that outcome. The hard work paid off!

Make Hay While The Sun Shines

News, WEEKLY SPIN

It’s been a gold medal performance for the pension fund, British Columbia Investment Management, after announcing it had agreed to sell its investment in European credit manager, Hayfin Capital Management. Like Novak Djokovic’s blistering winner at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, BCI secured a solid return more than three times its initial investment. Having initially bought a 70% stake in the manager in 2017, equating to a valuation of EUR250 million (which reduced to 60% over time), BCI agreed to sell Hayfin through a management buyout backed by Arctos Partners for EUR1.3 billion. Talk about making hay while the sun shines! This gives BCI a healthy return on what has proven to be a winning deal for its private equity portfolio. Although it is believed they are in no immediate rush to pursue any new direct investments. Time to sit back and enjoy the afterglow.

Inspired by PitchBook

Meme - Time to think creatively…could be a long day

True collective

News, WEEKLY SPIN

The HBO show True Detective won critical acclaim when it first appeared on screen. Asia’s wealthy pursuing philanthropic initiatives might want to apply the same focus to uncover the mystery of how to combat climate change. The region is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions with Swiss Re Institute forecasting that its aggregate GDP could fall by more than 25% in the next 25 years if collective action isn’t taken. Philanthropy is well placed to act as a catalytic (climate) converter and push the innovation envelope to uncover new solutions and tools to combat climate risk. Doing so could attract greater public and private investment to protect the region’s economic prospects. As Vanilla Ice famously said: “Stop. Collaborate and listen.” This is the philanthropy sector’s call to climate action.

Inspired by The World Economic Forum

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/07/23/markets/blackstone-japan-funds-up/

Sayonara Savings, Hello Investments

News, WEEKLY SPIN

Just as wasabi gives a hot kick to any sushi roll, Japan’s retail investors are warming up to the value proposition of private equity. Like a cat drawn to a sunny windowsill, individual investors, are becoming increasingly interested in alternative assets. Blackstone’s inaugural private equity fund for individual investors has already raised $1.2 billion in just four months, according to the Japan Securities Dealers Association. Urged to invest their cash by Japan’s government, the growth opportunities for PE firms targeting Japanese investors could be significant in the next few years. Indeed, Blackstone also has a $252 million fund targeting unlisted U.S. REITs and a $580 million private credit fund. Democratizing private markets for private investors looks like it could bloom in Japan, like cherry blossoms in March. And have both PE firms and investors purring in satisfaction.

Inspired by The Japan Times