Private equity firms are gearing up for a possible deterioration of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and an extended period of low economic growth, through a mixture of refinancing and hedges.
Making sure European investments stay in business while not jeopardizing returns by European nations’ onerous debt and austerity measures, along with slowing economic growth, has been in sharp focus of late for investment managers and their clients. ……………………………………….Full Article: Source

The auction for a potential sale of Getty Images Inc. has progressed to the second round, with several private-equity firms putting in initial bids of around $4 billion, people familiar with the matter said.
Buyout firms KKR & Co. and TPG are among at least five bidders that remain interested in privately-owned Getty, these people said. The Seattle-based photo agency distributes stock photographs, video footage and digital images to media and other organizations around the world. ……………………………………….Full Article: Source

Private equity firm Hellman & Friedman LLC is pushing ahead with a $4 billion sale of Getty Images Inc, the largest supplier of stock photos, video and other digital content, to private equity, two people familiar with the matter said.
While several private equity firms, such as Bain Capital LLC, have balked at Hellman’s $3.5 billion to $4 billion price expectations, other buyout groups, including KKR & Co LP and TPG Capital LP, are still in the process, which is now in the second round, the sources said. ……………………………………….Full Article: Source

Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) describes itself as “an acquirer, owner, and manager of high cash flow, niche leading middle market businesses operating in attractive industries.” CODI is thus essentially a public middle-market private equity fund.
The company has done a good job buying and selling businesses with realized gains of $198m on the five businesses CODI has sold since its IPO. Shareholders can profit from owning CODI not only because of its success at buying and selling companies but also from its strong dividend yield……………………………………….Full Article: Source