Matt Levin

The $184bn pension, struggling with the denominator effect, committed $750m to Blackstone’s previous buyout vehicle. CalPERS documents confirmed rumours that Blackstone has lowered its fund target to between $15bn and $20bn.

The West- and Central African-focused firm has invested an undisclosed amount in Dorman Long Engineering, a Nigerian oil and gas services provider. In May, Travant held a $107m first close on its debut fund, which is targeting $300m in commitments.

The private equity giant has named Christopher Dodds as a senior advisor less than three months after the departure of financial services co-head David Zweiner. In related news, the firm also exited telecom company Crest Communications for $70m.

The online marketplace for holiday home rentals has attracted a record financing round from investors amid a difficult funding environment. Austin Ventures and Redpoint Ventures seeded HomeAway in 2005.

The Corsair Capital-backed bank has declined to extend $175m in debt for Kohlberg & Company’s acquisition of sports caterer Centerplate. Last month, National City agreed to a $5.2bn government-backed merger with PNC Financial Services Group.

The mid-market firm has added William Bixby, who helped co-found The Riverside Company’s Dallas office in 2001, as a partner.

Hugh Panero, former chief executive of the satellite radio company, is the latest in a string of high-profile appointments the Maryland-based venture firm has made over the last year.

The Los Angeles-based firm has purchased a 17% stake in the Nasdaq-listed organic foods grocer, which has struggled amid cutbacks in consumer spending. Leonard Green is investing from its fifth private equity fund, which closed last year on $5.3bn.

Country Road Communications has sold three rural telecom units to Nasdaq-listed Otelco.

The $147bn US pension will decide today whether it will respond to the denominator effect by increasing the amount it is allowed to invest in real estate to 17% of total assets.