01.10.2014 - Private equity managers face growing competition for deals
Last week, Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC, one of the world’s biggest and oldest backers of private equity funds, agreed to buy nearly half of RAC from its owner, Carlyle, in a deal valuing the company at more than £2bn including debt. The bid, which derailed plans to list the UK roadside recovery specialist, followed approaches from Apax, CVC, Cinven, Blackstone and Charterhouse, people with knowledge of the situation said. The move highlights how years of record low interest rates are pushing some of the largest pension plans and sovereign wealth funds to invest their cash directly – and save the expensive fees charged by buyout fund managers – to boost returns. The intensifying trend is yet another illustration of the competitive squeeze affecting private equity houses’ ability to put money to work...............................................Full Article: Source
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