Jenny Bollen
ARCIS Group has bought a private equity portfolio of a French energy company, underlining recent interest in the utilities sector.
Gilde Buy Out Partners is buying Groupe Novasep for €425 million, after materials business Rockwood Holding grew the company after a merger in 2004.
The ratings agency says infrastructure is overvalued, blaming private equity interest in the sector and cheap financing.
Intermediate Capital Group has held the first closing of its new fund at €650 million, while a six-month interim report shows record gains on investments of £93.3 million.
Wellcome Trust, an independent charity funding research into human and animal health, will increase spending by 17 percent following returns of 16 percent in the trust’s alternative investments portfolio for the last three years.
ISIS Equity Partners has acquired a 25 percent stake in Crew Clothing Co in a £7.75 million fund raising, building on its investment in Wiggle, an on-line retailer of outdoor accessories.
Investcorp will float $400 million (€312 million) of shares on the London Stock Exchange, ahead of changes to listing rules intended to ease the flotation of funds.
Partners Group, a Swiss alternative asset manager, has invested €40m ($51 million) from its €400m fund Partners Group Global Opportunities, following months of rampant activity.
Amadeus portfolio company Solexa will merge with Illumina in a deal worth $600 million (€469).
Benchmark Capital Europe has raised $550 million for its third fund without having sold a portfolio company from its previous fund.