Matilda Battersby

The Canadian investor has bid two-thirds over the share price to gain control of Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group, which has a debt burden of more than A$5bn

Notwithstanding a dearth of exits and a few troubled deals, such as its investment in hotel group Accor, the listed French firm says its balance sheet is much healthier than its share price reflects. Its full year earnings report revealed it has written down to zero its stake in Colony-backed Station Casinos.

The creditors of the beleaguered Australian infrastructure specialist have formed a committee to assist the firm’s administrators.

The Canadian province will use both public and private money to improve roads, schools and public transport over the next two years

A consortium led by the Bahrain-based listed private equity firm has acquired a 70% stake in L’Azurde, a Saudi Arabian jewellery company valued at $300m. The demographics underpinning MENA's demand for jewellery are encouraging, said co-head of Investcorp’s Gulf growth capital business, Azmat Taufique.

Peter Moon will retire next year from the University Superannuation Scheme, one of the UK's main cornerstone limited partners in private equity, infrastructure and real estate funds.

The UK buyout firm has paid a reported A$425m for Australian billionaire James Packer’s network of 17 beef ranches.

Natixis Capital Partners has closed its third fund on €420m for investment into corporate real estate in Benelux, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The private equity firm has agreed a £64m PIPE with Premier Foods, the UK-based owner of household food brands including Hovis, Cadbury and Bisto, which has been struggling under a £1.7bn debt mound. The investment will form part of a 1.5bn share offer intended to raise around £404m.

British pension funds diversified their portfolios by investing 40% more in private equity and 30% more in hedge funds in 2008 over the previous year. Real estate fared less well, however, with mandates dropping by 25%.