Remember the heyday of the housing boom when investors would "flip" properties? Speculators would put a down payment on a property, usually a new construction, and sell it before it was completed with a fat profit. But the "flippers" got bagged when the price of real estate started dropping. Many just walked away from their deposits and left developers holding the bag.

Why is this idea of flipping real estate important now? Well, it seems that private equity investors buying troubled banks will be prohibited from "flipping" the bank for at least three years. In addition, regulators are requiring purchasers to maintain a capital ratio of 15%, three times the ratio required of other banks.

Continue reading No-flipping, increased-capital rules proposed for buying troubled banks

No-flipping, increased-capital rules proposed for buying troubled banks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Private equity investors are using current financial market constraints on liquidity to negotiate favorable deals, as private equity general partners have watched the values of their portfolios fall profoundly. Efforts to attract additional investment haven't been easy, as potential limited partners are reluctant to make long commitments in an uncertain marketplace. This has given limited partners a stronger position from which to negotiate both fees and terms and conditions.

Limited partners are getting a leg up on the private equity funds in which they invest, signaling a change from the historical trend in which funds could push for aggressive compensation based on the returns they provide. In a poll conducted by Preqin, 43% of investors noted a power shift from fund to limited partner, with only 2% seeing a shift toward the general partner.

Continue reading Limited partners putting pressure on private equity funds to cut fees

Limited partners putting pressure on private equity funds to cut fees originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The venture capital (VC) industry demonstrated its commitment to the clean technology space in the second quarter of 2009, pumping $1.2 billion into the sector, according to a report by GTM Research. VC investments in cleantech are up 43.5% from the first quarter of the year, when $836 was put into play in the cleantech space.

The number of transactions increased, as well. In the first quarter, 59 deals were completed, and deal-flow surged 44% to 85 in the quarter just finished. Average deal size remained fairly consistent: $14.2 million for the first quarter and $14.1 for the second.

Continue reading VC for cleantech surges to $1.2bn in Q2

VC for cleantech surges to $1.2bn in Q2 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) went public, many observers -- myself included -- were concerned by the total lack of corporate governance checks and balances.

But at the time, the private equity industry was so hot that Blackstone could do no wrong, and no one cared enough to complain. But now that KKR is mulling a plan to list on the New York Stock Exchange, things could be different. The wheels have come off the industry, at least for now, and the arrogant attitude of "We'll tell you what we feel like telling you and you'll like it" may not play so well.

Continue reading Will private equity finally find good governance with the KKR IPO?

Will private equity finally find good governance with the KKR IPO? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On Thursday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) is expected to propose new guidelines for private-equity investors seeking to buy failed banks. Those guidelines are intended to ensure that these largely unregulated firms don't take too many risks with troubled banks or buy and flip them.

The new rules come as private-equity firms have grown increasingly active in the banking sector. FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said she's comfortable with the private-equity deals the agency has struck for failed banks such as IndyMac and BankUnited, but that a more structured process needs to be put in place.

Continue reading New rules for buying failed banks may deter investors

New rules for buying failed banks may deter investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The complicated legal fight over the implosion of the private equity buyout of Huntsman (NYSE: HUN) has been settled. The firm was able to get $632 million in cash and $1.1 billion in financing from Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) and Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB).

Basically, Huntsman claimed that these financial firms failed to uphold their responsibilities in backing the takeover from Hexion Specialty Chemicals, which was struck in July 2007 at $28 per share. Now, Huntsman is trading at $5.92, primarily because of the plunge in the global chemicals sector.

Continue reading Huntsman deal to kill private equity?

Huntsman deal to kill private equity? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For private equity investors, one of the worst sectors has been retailing. Just look at some of the failed deals: Goody's, Linens 'n Things, Mervyns, and so on.

Despite the carnage, it looks like private equity operators are seeing opportunity in the sector. For example, CCMP Capital Advisors recently agreed to pay $202 million for defunct Eddie Bauer.

And, this week we got another deal: BC Partners announced a $350 million direct investment in Office Depot (NYSE: ODP).

Continue reading Office Depot gets a lifeline

Office Depot gets a lifeline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Based in China, GOME Electrical Appliances is a top electronics retailer. However, the firm has been under a cloud lately. After all, GOME's founder, Huang Guangyu, is under investigation for alleged financial fraud.

But, such things aren't a deterrent for Bain Capital. As expected, this private equity operator announced a deal to buy about $233 million in convertible bonds in GOME. What's more, the retailer plans to sell $214 million in shares, with a discount of 40%.

Continue reading Bain goes shopping in China for GOME

Bain goes shopping in China for GOME originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Fidelity to close private equity division

Fidelity to close private equity division originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The $52 billion merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev has resulted in some nice opportunities for private equity firms. For example, KKR recently purchased a division of the firm -- Oriental Brewery Co. (the number two brewer in South Korea) -- for $1.8 billion.

Doesn't sound like a lot? Well, it is a big deal. In fact, it's the biggest private equity deal in nine months.

Continue reading KKR morphs into a lender

KKR morphs into a lender originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in 2007 -- at the height of the private equity bubble -- the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp. (CIC), agreed to invest $3 billion in Blackstone (NYSE: BX). Of course, it was a disaster. In all, the investment lost roughly two-thirds of its value.

Despite all this, it looks like CIC hasn't given up on Blackstone. In fact, according to a piece in the Wall Street Journal, CIC is prepared to invest $500 million into a Blackstone hedge fund vehicle.

Continue reading China cozies up with Blackstone again

China cozies up with Blackstone again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading KKR to ditch its IPO?

KKR to ditch its IPO? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In 2005, several Chinese entrepreneurs started a milk production company, Modern Dairy. The company realized there was a huge opportunity in China for milk as right now the country is third in the world in terms of production.

Besides, in light of some of the contamination problems in the industry,especially last year's melamine scandal, there was a need for a better approach.

Well, Modern Dairy has caught the attention of the mighty private equity firm KKR. This week, the firm invested $150 million in the venture, according to Bloomberg.

Continue reading KKR: Got a milk deal in China?

KKR: Got a milk deal in China? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Carlyle Group, which is an $85 billion private equity powerhouse, recently published its annual report. It's a sobering document.

However, there are some interesting tidbits. For example, despite the financial turmoil -- where three deals went bust -- Carlyle was still able to raise $19.9 billion. What's more, the firm invested $12.6 billion in equity last year.

What about the future? Well, Carlyle's co-founder, David Rubenstein, who gave a presentation at the Aspen Global Leadership Network conference, offered some insight on what's ahead, according to BusinessWeek.

Continue reading Carlyle's David Rubenstein sees slow-growth, inflation ahead

Carlyle's David Rubenstein sees slow-growth, inflation ahead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Activist investor Carl Icahn is reportedly interested in taking another run at Delphi Corp. after a federal judge ordered the bankrupt auto parts supplier to open the sale of its assets to potential bidders, in addition to the previous offer from private-equity firm Platinum Equity.

Icahn's auto-parts company, Federal-Mogul Corp. (NASDAQ: FDML), had held discussions with Delphi, but the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, which was set up by the Obama administration to oversee the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry, preferred the Platinum Equity deal.

Continue reading Carl Icahn gets a second chance to acquire Delphi

Carl Icahn gets a second chance to acquire Delphi originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week was a busy one for San Francisco-based private equity firm Golden Gate Capital. It not only reached an agreement to acquire the assets of the J. Jill Group Inc. from Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB), but also reached a deal in the sale of SoftBrands Inc., a Minneapolis-based software producer.

Jill Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate, agreed to purchase the womenswear retailer for approximately $75 million. The deal includes assets and liabilities, including a distribution center in New Hampshire, and intellectual property and inventory. Jill Acquisition assumes the leases of 204 J. Jill stores, with the remaining 75 expected to be closed by Talbots. Talbots' board unanimously approved the deal, and the transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter.

Continue reading Golden Gate acquires J. Jill and SoftBrands

Golden Gate acquires J. Jill and SoftBrands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're still in the early stages of this trend, but it's pretty clear that the green energy sector is fast becoming a venture capital darling. Today, for example, five deals were announced in one publication alone (three VC, two acquisitions). The three investments account for $47.4 million in VC investment. And only yesterday, Solazyme picked up another $57 million in its Series C round.

In what remains a capital-constrained market, the cash is still flowing. In the private equity space, investments in clean technologies have remained steady from 2007 to 2008, despite broader economic calamity. Such commitment this early in the game may hint at what the next bubble will be.

Continue reading Green VC deals continue to mount, next bubble?

Green VC deals continue to mount, next bubble? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Venture capital firms Braemar Energy Ventures and Lightspeed Venture partners led the Series C round for Solazyme, Inc., putting $57 million in fresh capital into the company. This brings total outside financing to above $76 million for the algae-derived biofuels company ... and shows yet another sign of life for private investment in green technology.

Solazyme uses microalgae biotechnology for the production of clean fuels, green chemicals, edible oils, and wellness products. The company seeks to "answer the increasing global demand for clean and renewable sources of oil" through sustainable and scalable technologies. The company's renewable oil production process relies on industrial fermentation, in which the algae consume nonfood biomass and industrial byproducts, which the algae converts to oil. End products include renewable diesel, biodiesel, and jet fuel.

Continue reading VC firms look to make green on green with $57m play for Solazyme

VC firms look to make green on green with $57m play for Solazyme originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

At the height of the buyout boom in 2007, private equity firms amassed expansive portfolios. Some of the drivers of the trend included: a growing economy and easy debt markets.

Of course, dealmaking has ground to a halt over the past couple years. However, private equity firms still need to find ways to get liquidity from their portfolios, so as to produce returns for limited partners.

How? Well, the IPO market will be crucial.

So, to this end, Fidelity Investments and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) have agreed to form a venture to distribute IPOs to retail investors. Keep in mind that such offerings typically go to institutions and wealthy individuals. But private equity firms will need to expand their reach.

Continue reading Fidelity and KKR eye IPOs

Fidelity and KKR eye IPOs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Investments in clean energy projects and companies reached $155 billion last year, surpassing fossil fuel investments. According to a United Nations report, $13.5 billion in new private investment was directed to companies that are developing new technologies, with almost half that (according to Private Equity Intelligence, Ltd.) coming from clean technology-focused private equity funds.

Clean energy sources account for the majority of energy investments last year, with $105 billion spent on developing 40GW of wind, solar, small hydro, biomass and geothermal energy generation capabilities. Large hydro (25GW) accounted for another $35 billion in investments.

Totaling $140 billion, this accounts for 56% of investments in power last year. The aggregate 65GW, however, represents only 41% of new capacity developed in 2008. Renewable energy dominated the clean technology space, 75% of the total at $117 billion.

Investments in clean energy technology grew 5% from 2007 to 2008, leading to a second consecutive record-setting year. Emerging markets made the difference last year - particularly China and Brazil. China has become the second largest wind market in the worlds (as measured by new capacity) and the world's top photovoltaic manufacturer.

Geothermal appears to be on the horizon for several countries, including Australia and Kenya. Nonetheless, the ongoing financial crisis has put the squeeze on the clean energy space. U.S. investments fell 2%, and growth slowed considerably in Europe.

$155 billion in clean energy overtakes fossil fuel investments originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.