Category Archives: News

PAI in the sky

Paris-based PE firm, PAI Partners, has squeezed out an impressive EUR7.1 billion from investors for its eighth buyout fund, exceeding its EUR7 billion target when it began fundraising at the start of last year. Investors have responded positively to PAI’s focus on acquiring businesses through complex carve-outs. The first one being Tropicana Brands, a juicy $3.3 billion deal that it acquired from PepsiCo two years ago. Existing investors account for around EUR2 billion of the assets raised…will this latest fund prove to be the eighth wonder of the world? While GPs are being squeezed on valuations – the average global buyout deal was 12.9x EBITDA last year – the new fund will allow PAI Partners to continue to seek out businesses, which, over the last decade, have come in at 11 to 11.5x on average. All in all, a pretty good PAI day for the firm.

inspired by the Wall Street Journal

KKR’s social gathering

KKR is enjoying strong tailwinds in its drive towards advancing sustainability and social equity, with news that it has raised $2.8 billion for its second global impact fund. The first incarnation launched in 2020 with $1.3 billion. But as more investment opportunities materialize, thanks to progress in clean energy and resource recycling in supply chains, not to mention workforce evolution, KKR is successfully tapping in to investor demand. This second Global Impact Fund will aim to invest long and prosper by focusing on four investment themes to advance the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals: Climate Action, Sustainable Living, Lifelong Learning, and Inclusive Growth. KKR will be hoping that this latest fund will prove to be a blockbuster…more a case of ‘going with the wind’ than gone with the wind!

inspired by Reuters

Staying Alive, Staying Alive

Private equity firms are having to channel their inner Bee Gee by injecting more equity into portfolio companies to ensure they are ‘staying alive, staying alive.’ Bank and private credit lenders are looking for more skin in the game from PE sponsors when it comes to refinancing and extend loans in the current high-interest rate environment. The net effect is to lower the gearing in portfolio companies; something that buyout firms have traditionally eschewed as they look to maximize the IRR of their funds. This new verse in the buyout debt musical increases sponsor risk, given the additional equity they are having to commit. Whether they will still be singing from the rooftops in years to come will depend on how effective their deal-making is, and their ability to innovate debt-to-equity commitments.

inspired by The Wall Street Journal

IP..Oh..No!

The PE exit landscape has entered a barren phase this year with fewer than 900 completed exits in the US through September. EQT’s CEO Christian Sinding has referred to dysfunction in the IPO markets, prompting the firm to consider private stock sales to give LPs some liquidity back. It’s another sign of GPs thinking creatively to free up capital. Think of it more as an appetizing starter before LPs are given the main course – that is, when a full exit is achieved. GPs will be privately watching on the sidelines to see if this route is worthy of exploring. With other choices on the table – namely continuation funds and NAV financing – the menu of liquidity options is starting to expand. All the while demonstrating the further evolution of the PE marketplace.

inspired by The Financial Times

Cannes do attitude

Ascential, the owners of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Money 20/20, have received an acquisition bid from a consortium of investors but will they bite? The consortium includes PE-backed Hyve, and MediaLink, owned by United Talent Agency. The resort town is the iconic setting for the Cannes Lions, whose revenue has grown 30% this year, while Money 20/20 sharpened its focus with a 19% revenue increase. Post-Covid events acquisition opportunities will continue to stay on the (event) horizon of PE investors as revenue drivers; and with the Cannes Lions’ global appeal, the consortium will certainly be hoping its bid is a roaring success. Or will they find themselves clawing back the competition?

inspired by PRWeek