Opalesque Sovereign Wealth Funds Briefing » Market http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Singapore’s Temasek bought some of Goldman’s ICBC shares, lifting stake http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13228 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13228#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13228 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13228>Article Link</a> Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek has again taken up shares in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) that Goldman Sachs wanted to unload. Temasek’s stake in the bank rose to 7.04 per cent from 6.71 per cent after it paid HK$1.54 billion for 280 million ICBC shares. Hong Kong stock exchange data showed that Temasek paid an average of HK$5.50 per share. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13228 Temasek Increases ICBC Stake as Goldman Exits http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13227 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13227#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:12 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13227 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13227>Article Link</a> Temasek Holdings Pte (TMSK), Singapore’s state-owned investment company, boosted its stake in Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. for the third time in a year as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) ended an investment in the lender. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13227 Temasek takes 10pct stake in Markit http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13226 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13226#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 02:05:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13226 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13226>Article Link</a> Singapore state investment company Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd. has bought a significant stake in U.K. financial data provider Markit Group Ltd., according to a press release by Markit. Temasek will take an approximately 10% stake in the investment of about $500 million, a person familiar with the matter said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13226 Just Dial raises $38M from anchor investors including Temasek, half of the IPO subscribed on day 1 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13213 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13213#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 06:16:13 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13213 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13213>Article Link</a> Just Dial Ltd, which runs the India-specific local business listings site Justdial.com, has raised Rs 208.66 crore or approximately $38 million from anchor investors, including Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek and asset management major Fidelity. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13213 Norwegian sovereign wealth fund investing $4bln in India http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13209 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13209#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 01:22:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13209 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13209>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Government Pension Fund Global, is investing $4 billion (Dh14.7 billion) in India and is focused in the areas of oil and gas, shipping and hydropower, Norway’s envoy to India has said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13209 Watchdog raises fears over wealth funds http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13202 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13202#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 01:24:38 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13202 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13202>Article Link</a> Sovereign wealth funds from resource-rich countries controlling more than $500bn of assets operate with no disclosure, limiting their accountability and increasing the risk of corruption, a leading transparency watchdog has said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13202 Severn Trent rejects takeover approach by Kuwait-led group http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13199 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13199#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 01:23:48 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13199 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13199>Article Link</a> Severn Trent Plc (SVT), the U.K.’s second-largest publicly traded water company, rejected a takeover approach from Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund and a Canadian infrastructure investor. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13199 Severn Trent rejects takeover approach from KIA and Canada’s Borealis http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13194 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13194#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 03:47:05 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13194 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13194>Article Link</a> Severn Trent has rejected an approach from a consortium of Canadian and Kuwaiti investors, saying the £5.3bn proposal is too low. The FTSE 100 company, which supplies water to more than 4.2m households, met with Canada’s Borealis, the Kuwait Investment Office and the Universities Superannuation Scheme yesterday, causing Severn Trent’s shares to jump 14pc. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13194 Qatar postpones float of GBP7.8bln investment firm http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13181 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13181#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 04:46:44 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13181 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13181>Article Link</a> A planned flotation of Doha Global Investment Company, a £7.8 billion Qatari firm backed by assets from the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund, has been postponed pending necessary approvals, a senior official revealed. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13181 Sovereign wealth funds in commodity-rich fragile states http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13179 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13179#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 04:45:20 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13179 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13179>Article Link</a> Developed and developing countries alike have established sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) to manage surplus state income. These funds have great potential to help fragile states manage high revenue inflows from lucrative natural resources and protect their economies from volatility and unsustainable investments. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13179 Sovereign wealth funds in GCC focus more on local investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13177 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13177#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 00:56:31 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13177 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13177>Article Link</a> While they continue to reduce dependence on energy resources, GCC countries are increasingly spending locally and redirecting a greater portion of foreign investments back into the region. According to a report by KPMG specialists released on Thursday, the shift is due to the debt problems afflicting the European Union and the Arab Spring, among other factors. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13177 Mumtalakat in new push to bolster transparency http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13175 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13175#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 00:55:57 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13175 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13175>Article Link</a> Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the investment arm of the kingdom, hosted a dinner for former heads of states and governments attending the 31st annual plenary meeting of the InterAction Council in the kingdom. “This initiative is a continuity of the legal and regulatory reforms to create a free, open and transparent environment that will enable business in Bahrain to grow,” said Mumtalakat chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13175 Qatar postpones listing of $12bln investment company http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13174 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13174#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 00:55:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13174 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13174>Article Link</a> A planned stock market listing for Doha Global Investment Co, a $12 billion Qatari investment company backed by assets from the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund, has been postponed, a senior bourse official said on Sunday. Qatar unveiled plans to create the investment company in February and said that sovereign fund Qatar Holding will transfer $3 billion of assets into the Doha Global, with a similar amount raised in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Qatar Exchange. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13174 Neiman Marcus to pursue sovereign-fund buyer http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13170 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13170#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 00:54:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13170 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13170>Article Link</a> Neiman Marcus Group Inc. is planning overtures to a handful of sovereign-wealth funds about a possible buyout of the luxury retailer, said people familiar with the deliberations. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13170 Qatar’s sovereign wealth eyeing more trophy assets http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13165 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13165#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 03:40:13 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13165 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13165>Article Link</a> With a steady availability of capital, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has been making opportunistic investments around the world, especially in Europe. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), actively involved in making opportunistic investments, has future aims of acquiring more trophy assets and diversifying its portfolio, a report finds. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13165 Qatar’s Katara in talks to buy ‘iconic’ hotels in London to Rome http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13164 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13164#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 03:40:01 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13164 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13164>Article Link</a> Katara Hospitality is in talks to buy “iconic” hotels in London and Rome as the unit of Qatar’s sovereign-wealth fund seeks to more than double its properties by 2030, said Chief Operating Officer Christopher R.J. Knable. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13164 Abu Dhabi financial zone to challenge Dubai http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13157 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13157#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 03:45:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13157 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13157>Article Link</a> For a decade, Dubai has prospered as the Middle East’s top financial centre, handling tens of billions of dollars of oil wealth. That dominance may now be threatened as neighbouring Abu Dhabi demands a piece of the pie. Last week, Abu Dhabi outlined plans for a full-service financial zone on an island near its downtown area that will have its own administration, court system and tax incentives to lure banks and other firms from around the world. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13157 Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi an attraction for asset managers http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13156 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13156#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 03:43:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13156 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13156>Article Link</a> International financial firms mulling a move to Global Marketplace Abu Dhabi need little reminding of the large concentration of institutional wealth based in the emirate. Some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds and several state pension funds are located in the capital, not least of which is the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia). (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13156 GIC among investors in $8.5bln buyout of US software firm http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13148 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13148#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 02:39:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13148 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13148>Article Link</a> The Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) has taken a stake in the third-largest private equity deal of the year. The investment firm is among a group of investors that will pay US$6.9 billion (S$8.5 billion) in cash to buy American company BMC Software and take it private, according to a statement released by BMC. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13148 Azeri state oil fund to invest $500 mln in VTB http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13143 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13143#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 03:51:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13143 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13143>Article Link</a> Azerbaijan’s state oil fund SOFAZ has agreed to invest around $500 million in a new share offering by VTB, Russia’s second-largest bank, the fund said in e-mailed comments to Reuters. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13143 Kuwait firm launches Islamic trade finance fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13140 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13140#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 03:50:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13140 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13140>Article Link</a> Kuwait-based Asiya Investments has launched an Islamic trade finance fund with $20 million in seed capital, aiming to cater to small Asian manufacturers. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13140 Asia urged to ‘welcome’ SWF cash http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13138 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13138#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 02:30:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13138 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13138>Article Link</a> Sovereign wealth funds must be encouraged to invest in emerging markets, to make up for the drought of long-term investment. The ADB and other multilateral development banks need to “catalyze” money from sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in order to tap into a rich seam of wealth that could help close the threatened funding gap for infrastructure and other long-term projects, a private equity specialist said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13138 China Investment Corporation and Barclays – the deal that almost was http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13134 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13134#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 02:29:17 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13134 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13134>Article Link</a> A Euromoney investigation into Abu Dhabi’s £3.5 billion investment in Barclays in 2008 revealed an astonishing insight into the battle for a portion of the £110 million fee paid by Barclays to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the emirate’s cornerstone investor in the bank. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13134 House of Fraser held sale talks with Qatari investors http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13132 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13132#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 02:28:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13132 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13132>Article Link</a> House of Fraser has held talks with Qatari investors about a potential takeover of the UK department store chain, in further indication that the retailer is amenable to a sale. Qatari investors have a record of buying prestigious department stores in Britain, such as the 2010 acquisition of Harrods by Qatar Holding, the direct investment arm of the Qatar Investment Authority. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13132 Norway shows the smart way to handle boom http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13127 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13127#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 03:36:01 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13127 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13127>Article Link</a> Increasing signs of a slowdown in China–the latest manufacturing survey shows the sector is only just treading water–are blowing a chill wind over Australia’s miners. Mining makes up around half of Australia’s exports and China is by far the country’s biggest customer, accounting for nearly a quarter of Australian sales abroad. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13127 Singapore fund closes in on $500mln Markit deal http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13131 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13131#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 03:35:55 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13131 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13131>Article Link</a> Singapore’s principal sovereign wealth fund is close to sealing a $500m (£320m) deal to buy a stake in Markit Group, one of Britain’s fastest-growing financial services companies. I understand that Temasek Holdings, which is among the most powerful state-backed funds in the world, is now in advanced negotiations about acquiring the shareholding ahead of a US flotation of Markit. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13131 Temasek mulls stake in Markit http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13130 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13130#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 03:35:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13130 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13130>Article Link</a> Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek is set to take a stake worth around $500m (£320m) in Markit, the UK financial data provider. The state-backed fund is now in advanced negotiations about acquiring the shareholding ahead of a US flotation of Markit, according to a Sky News report. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13130 Norwegian fund urges China to open up to investors http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13126 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13126#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 03:42:09 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13126 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13126>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, one of the world’s largest investors, urged China to open its domestic markets to foreign investors, saying it was keen to pour billions of dollars into the world’s second-biggest economy. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13126 Qatar turns to Orcel’s UBS for VTB bank deal http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13123 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13123#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 03:41:16 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13123 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13123>Article Link</a> Russia’s second largest bank VTB yesterday announced that a group of sovereign wealth funds has backed a $3.3bn (£2.13bn) fundraising that will take the government’s stake in the lender down from 75 per cent to 60 per cent or less. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13123 SNB to become a sovereign wealth fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13120 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13120#comments Thu, 02 May 2013 03:40:17 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13120 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13120>Article Link</a> The SNB looks to have sold core euro assets in Q1 and used these funds to increase equity exposure in other countries and in the Nikkei. The other countries are said to comprise of Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore and South Korea. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13120 French sovereign wealth fund buys Technicolor stake http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13119 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13119#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:26:21 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13119 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13119>Article Link</a> France’s FSI sovereign-wealth fund said it had bought a stake in Technicolor to support the digital video specialist’s plan to cut debt and boost cash flow by 2015.The FSI fund gave no financial details, but said in a statement on Monday that it and state bank Caisse des Depots together now held 7.5 percent of Technicolor’s share capital.Caisse des Depots owned 6.3 percent of Technicolor as of March 20, implying the FSI has purchased a 1.2 percent stake. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13119 GIC launches accelerated bookbuilding for sale of bonds http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13116 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13116#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:25:35 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13116 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13116>Article Link</a> The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) is launching an accelerated bookbuilding for the sale of Glencore Guaranteed Convertible Bonds worth US$250 million. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13116 Qatar commits to Russian bank’s $3bln share deal http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13115 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13115#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:25:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13115 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13115>Article Link</a> Qatar Holding, the Gulf country’s rich sovereign wealth fund, has made a “binding” commitment to invest in VTB Bank’s $3bn public share offering, according to the Russian lender. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13115 Norway, Qatar and Azeri sovereign wealth funds buy into Russia’s VTB http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13113 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13113#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:24:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13113 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13113>Article Link</a> Russia’s second-largest lender VTB Bank said Monday its secondary public offering, scheduled for May, attracted demand from the sovereign wealth funds of energy giants Norway, Qatar and Azerbaijan. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13113 SOFAZ buys shares of VTB Bank http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13112 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13112#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:24:25 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13112 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13112>Article Link</a> State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan, Qatar Sovereign Fund and Norway Sovereign Fund were selected as strategic investors in placement of additional share emission of VTB Bank.According to APA-Economics, the volume of the issue is RR 102.5 bln (quantity – 2.5 trilions, face value – RR 0.041). (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13112 Azerbaijani State Oil Fund intends to purchase Russian large bank’s shares http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13110 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13110#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:23:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13110 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13110>Article Link</a> On April 26, 2013, the Supervisory Board of VTB Bank announced that it had resolved to attract new capital in amount of up to Rub 102.5bn through the issuance of 2.5 trillion new ordinary shares (”New Shares”) by way of an open subscription at a price of Rub 0.041 per Share (the “Offering”), VTB said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13110 Bahrain SWF Mumtalakat not joining Gulf spending spree, to focus on portfolio http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13108 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13108#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:23:06 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13108 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13108>Article Link</a> Bahrain sovereign fund Mumtalakat said on Monday that it has no plans to sell stakes in domestic companies and could even increase its investments. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13108 Bahrain fund won’t increase Gulf Air investment http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13107 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13107#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:22:36 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13107 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13107>Article Link</a> Bahrain sovereign fund Mumtalakat said on Monday that it has no plans to sell stakes in domestic companies and could even increase its investments – but not in Gulf Air. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13107 VTB said to draw Norway, Qatar wealth to $3.3 bln share sale http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13106 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13106#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:02:17 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13106 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13106>Article Link</a> VTB Group (VTBR), Russia’s second-largest lender, received enough orders from investors including sovereign wealth funds in Norway and Azerbaijan to cover a $3.3 billion share sale, said a person with knowledge of the matter. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13106 Norwegian oil fund gains as stock markets rally http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13104 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13104#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:01:31 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13104 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13104>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, gained 219 billion kroner ($37 billion) in the first quarter as stocks surged amid unprecedented stimulus from central banks to boost economic growth. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13104 Norway’s sovereign wealth fund to become more active http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13103 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13103#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:01:09 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13103 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13103>Article Link</a> The sovereign wealth fund of Norway, amongst the world’s biggest investors, has said that it wants to participate more actively in the management of firms it has heavy investments in, such as Volvo and other firms. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13103 Kuwait sovereign fund to invest in infrastructure http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13098 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13098#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:59:39 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13098 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13098>Article Link</a> The Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the sovereign wealth fund, has long been known both for its integrity and cautious approach to investment. But several recent initiatives point to the growing difficulty of being conservative in a world of virtually zero interest rates and modest yields — and a world in which inflation is low today but may be much higher tomorrow. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13098 China fund chief criticizes U.S. investment review http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13097 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13097#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:57:29 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13097 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13097>Article Link</a> The head of China’s $500 billion sovereign wealth fund criticized the U.S. process of reviewing foreign investment, calling it a slap in the face, at a conference in Washington Thursday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13097 CIC chief Gao says China’s fund treated differently by U.S. http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13096 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13096#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:57:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13096 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13096>Article Link</a> China Investment Corp., the world’s fifth-largest sovereign wealth fund, is treated differently than other investors by U.S. regulators, the company’s president said in Washington. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13096 China SWF: Not worried about recent econ data http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13095 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13095#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:56:55 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13095 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13095>Article Link</a> The top executive of China’s $500 billion sovereign wealth fund Thursday said he is not concerned by recent data showing slower growth by the world’s second largest economy, pointing to underlining changes that show a country heading in “a much better direction.” (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13095 Azerbaijan oil fund sets investment radar on Asia http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13088 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13088#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:55:12 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13088 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13088>Article Link</a> Azerbaijan’s $34 billion state oil fund plans to spend about $1 billion on real estate abroad this year, mainly in Asia and Australia, as it further diversifies a broad portfolio of foreign assets. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13088 Sovereign wealth funds keen on Turkish markets http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13087 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13087#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:54:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13087 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13087>Article Link</a> A $ 500 million sukuk from Turkiye Finans this week was just the latest in a flood of international debt issues from Turkey. But the identity of the arranging banks, and the investors who bought the issue, pointed to a shift in capital markets. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13087 Norway wealth fund mulls selling oil firms that work in E.Guinea http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13085 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13085#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:18:52 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13085 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13085>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is looking into selling off shares in oil firms that work in Equatorial Guinea, where oil revenue does nothing to relieve abject poverty, the fund’s ethics council said, a list that includes Exxon Mobil. The Norwegian Pension Fund Global was Exxon Mobil’s tenth-largest shareholder at end-2012 with some 16 billion crowns ($2.7 billion) worth of shares, or a stake of 0.81 percent. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13085 Khazanah said to pick 3 banks for $1 bln convertible Sukuk http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13082 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13082#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:18:01 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13082 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13082>Article Link</a> Khazanah Nasional Bhd., Malaysia’s state investment company, selected three banks to help arrange a sale of as much as $1 billion of convertible Islamic bonds, said two people with knowledge of the matter. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13082 Samruk-Kazyna to implement 83 projects worth over $51 bln http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13079 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13079#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:17:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13079 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13079>Article Link</a> Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund plans to implement 83 investment projects worth over $51 billion, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the fund’s press-service.“The fund is currently taking part in implementation of 100 investment projects worth over $82 billion via its major branches. The fund is additionally considering implementation of another 83 investment projects worth $51.7 billion,” the message states. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13079 Graph: Sovereign wealth funds http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13077 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13077#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:16:45 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13077 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13077>Article Link</a> Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Above, I show which countries have the largest sovereign wealth funds, and below, I show how these countries’ funds rank on a per capita basis. Data about the funds comes from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Rankings, and I calculated per capita values primarily by using World Bank population data. It’s interesting to note that: (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13077 Massive sovereign wealth fund gobbles up JGB – UBS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13065 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13065#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:43:30 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13065 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13065>Article Link</a> Market attention is now shifting to the Government Pension Investment Fund in Japan. This giant asset manager has Y111.9trn ($1.19trn). It is not a sovereign wealth fund, however its size is likely to exceed established sovereign wealth funds globally. Currently, GPIF has around 60% of its assets in Japanese government and state FILP bonds. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13065 Alaska oil wealth fund’s India exposure crosses Rs. 1,000 crore http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13060 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13060#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:31:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13060 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13060>Article Link</a> Alaska Permanent Fund Corp, which oversees the American state’s oil wealth portfolio, has increased its investment in Indian stocks to over Rs. 1,000 crore with increased holdings in bluechips like ICICI Bank, Infosys, HDFC and Reliance Industries Ltd. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13060 China sovereign fund sees gold price rebound on global recovery http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13050 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13050#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:33:39 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13050 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13050>Article Link</a> World gold prices will pick up over time as a global economic recovery gains traction, a senior official of China’s $482-billion sovereign wealth fund said on Wednesday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13050 Gold will bounce back, Greek debt is a buy: China’s sovereign wealth fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13049 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13049#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:33:23 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13049 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13049>Article Link</a> Gao Xiqing, president of China Investment Corp., the country’s $500-billion sovereign wealth fund, recently denounced Japan thusly (paywall): “Treating the neighbors as your garbage bin and starting a currency war would not only be dangerous for others but eventually be bad for yourself.” (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13049 CIC: China will grow at sustainable levels http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13048 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13048#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:28:43 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13048 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13048>Article Link</a> China’s economy will grow at sustainable levels and there is no need for panic about the level of growth, Jin Liqun, chairman of China Investment Corp supervisory board told CNBC on Wednesday. “I don’t think people need to panic, China will continue to grow at sustainable levels. The government target will be met without much difficulty,” said Jin. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13048 Qatar says focusing in on German investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13042 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13042#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:45:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13042 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13042>Article Link</a> Qatar’s aggressive sovereign wealth fund is focusing its investment strategy in Germany on companies selling in emerging markets as well as real estate, an executive board member of the Qatar Investment Authority has said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13042 Africa’s SWF: Investing for tomorrow http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13041 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13041#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:45:43 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13041 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13041>Article Link</a> Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are not new to the continent. Botswana’s Pula Fund dates back to 1994, Algeria formed its Revenue Regulation Fund in 2000 and in Tripoli the government created the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) in 2006. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13041 Israel pushes for sovereign wealth fund to protect shekel http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13039 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13039#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:45:18 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13039 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13039>Article Link</a> Israel is on its way to launching a sovereign wealth fund (SWF), designed to prevent a steep appreciation of the shekel following the country’s plans to allow access to its natural gas fields. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13039 Qatar sovereign fund says German real estate good opportunity http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13037 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13037#comments Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:12:11 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13037 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13037>Article Link</a> Qatar’s aggressive sovereign wealth fund is focusing its investment strategy in Germany on companies selling in emerging markets as well as real estate, an executive board member of the Qatar Investment Authority said on Monday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13037