Robert Venes

Premier Foods, a UK food group, has terminated discussions with United Biscuits in the £1.7 billion auction for the biscuits and snacks maker, leaving Blackstone as the sole remaining interested party.

HgCapital has partnered with management to make a 180 pence per share offer for SHL Group, a psychometric assessement company for business clients including Tesco, Citibank and Trinity Mirror.

3i, a London-listed private equity firm, is planning a buyout of residential housing company Countrywide, which could be valued at up to £880 million.

Advent Venture Partners, a European venture capital firm, has formed a new company to acquire speciality pharmaceutical prescription products, headed by former Roche, Elan and Xenova veteran Geoff McMillan.

Argus Capital Partners, a private equity firm principally focused on Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, has raised €213 million to date for its second fund, surpassing an original target of €200 million.

Hogg Robinson, a UK business travel company majority owned by European buyout firm Permira, has set a price range for its planned October flotation, valuing the business at around £380m.

Private equity firms Permira and General Atlantic Partners are still in the running for Misys, but the software and systems group says that it has yet to receive an offer it can recommend to shareholders.

Cinven has said it is considering making an offer for the quoted owner of two UK pizza chains, whose main shareholders have agreed to sell.

Doughty Hanson is reportedly to follow in the public market footsteps of KKR and Apollo Management and raise a buyout fund on Amsterdam Euronext.

Partners Group, a Swiss listed fund manager, has appointed Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch and Bear Stearns to launch the listing of a €400m AIM-listed fund investing in Europe, North America and Asia.