Nicholas Donato

Private equity's fight for favourable takeover rules was lost this week as US competition authorities unveiled sweeping changes in the way firms report mergers and acquisitions.

The impact will be limited, but private equity houses will need to make adjustments as the UK government refashions its financial services regulatory regime.

The UK government is seeking input on its plan to stimulate economic growth by offering small business investors a range of income and capital gains tax relief.

A wave of incoming regulations is helping fuel activity in the secondaries market, which for some GPs means big compliance headaches.

The alternatives assets giant is trailblazing a path for private equity after gaining approval to fundraise in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

AXA Private Equity continues to capitalise on regulations which make private equity assets less attractive to banks, sealing its fourth secondaries deal to take the value of its recent portfolio acquisitions to $5.1bn.

Fund valuations have reclaimed nearly all of the losses experienced during the downturn. Funds climbed 7% in value in Q4 2010 alone, but carried interest prospects for boom-era vintages remains murky, according to Triago.

The US securities watchdog requested the Steve Schwarzman-led firm provide more details of executive compensation and a class-action lawsuit tied to the firm’s 2007 public listing.

While the standard ‘2 and 20’ fee model is seeing only marginal movement in recent buyout funds, managers are conceding more ground on transaction fees, according to fund data seen by sister site PEM.

Private equity firms active in the UK have gained vital clarity on their responsibilities in the government’s battle against corruption. Many of their liabilities will extend to portfolio company level under the UK Bribery Act set to enter force in July.