Dave Keating

Following the recent spike in gold prices, Norwest Equity Partners portfolio company Aurafin, a gold jewellery maker, has received $140 million in financing from several banks.

The two firms have invested $430 million in a $500 million joint venture with US Shipping Partners.

As venture dollars pour into US alternative energy companies, some are starting to question whether there is too much money flowing toward too few sustainable ideas. Dave Keating reports.

Bear Stearns Merchant Banking will place an increasing focus on financial services companies as it seeks to differentiate itself from other ‘captive’ models.

The firm is reportedly set to hire Ralph Reynolds from Deutsche Bank to lead a new hedge fund trading stocks and bonds.

The second quarter of 2006 saw VC investment hit a five-year high with a surge of interest in healthcare deals. But there is still fear that if the IPO market doesn’t improve, investors could see a repeat of 2000. Dave Keating reports.

The New York- and Houston-based private equity firm has recapitalized Advanced Disposal Services, replacing the company’s existing shareholders.

The Cleveland, Ohio-based firm’s microcap fund, which is targeting companies with EBITDA of less than $3m, has made four acquisitions in less than a month.

The Miami-based firm has sold Thermo Fluids, an Arizona-based company which converts used oil to usable fuel, to an investor group led by CIVC Partners.

The New York-based firm has combined two of its portfolio companies to create Vertellus Specialties.