FT series

In a five-part series, the FT looks at how buy-out firms are finding new ways to put their capital to work, one year on from the start of the credit squeeze
Five heavyweight private equity groups are among the first-round bidders for the privately owned discount clothing retailer
Call to restructure $7,000bn of loans
Move aims to take advantage of market rally
US bail-outs hit buy-out opportunities
Buy-out group’s portfolio lifted in first half

In a five-part series, the FT looks at how buy-out firms are finding new ways to put their capital to work, one year on from the start of the credit squeeze
When 3i floated its £400m Quoted Private Equity investment company in June 2007, some observers saw it as a poorly timed move
TPG’s profit on its share of Alltel’s debt illustrates a potential conflict of interest when private equity groups purchase debt at discounted prices in buy-out deals
The Emap acquisition by Apax Partners and GMG highlights the difficulties of pursuing a buy-and-build strategy
Western private equity executives monitor the situation in South Ossetia with particular concern after a $2.7bn spending spree in Russia
Buy-out bosses say there are political and financial obstacles to investing in the financial services sector
This expected deal is a shadow of those from just a few years ago, but it is a sign the private equity industry is continuing its slow rebound

Logic suggests a lot of companies owned by private equity must be on the point of expiring under the weight of their debt. But the bankruptcy rate, though rising, is still historically low
The ‘go-shop’ clause in the $4.2bn sale of iShares to CVC Capital Partners allowed Barclays to sign a deal with one bidder and then solicit alternative buyers during a 45-day period to determine if iShares could be sold at a higher price

It is never pleasant to see investment bankers licking their lips. New Look’s position on a potential initial public offering will have them positively slavering
Competition in underwriting from the likes of KKR and Citadel could turn out to be a lasting development, writes William Cohan
Chief executive Dominique Mégret argues that, while some PAI companies are being buffeted by the recession, it is protected through dividend refinancing