Suzanne Weinstock

An increase in US deal flow is dependent on the credit markets even as private equity firms are bullish on valuations, according to Ernst & Young.

The death of the BCE deal marks the end of one cycle but signals hope for another, writes Suzanne Weinstock.

Former investment banking vice president Keith Koeneman has set up a solo private equity firm that is actively looking at several investments for which the firm will raise capital on a deal-by-deal basis.

Macrovision has divested the TV Guide Network and TV Guide Online in a sale to the JPMorgan unit two months after selling TV Guide Magazine to private equity firm OpenGate Capital for $1.

In a move to shift away from equity risk, The State of Wisconsin Investment Board has raised its private equity and real estate targets 1% each and doubled the target of its tactical multi-asset allocation.

The telecom company has filed a lawsuit against Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners arguing that it is owed payment following the consortium’s cancellation of the agreed C$52bn take-private.

The city pension system has halved its earlier proposed 2009 target allocation to private equity due to overweighting.

Belgian private equity firm Gimv has exited its 2004 investment in Sfinc by selling its majority stake to an AXA-led consortium. Sfinc produces and distributes spices, marinades and food ingredient blends for food processing companies.

The emerging markets private equity firm has purchased preferred stock in El Salvador-based PL Movil to fund the company’s expansion into Costa Rica.

Topspin Partners LBO, the buyout-focused successor to venture and buyout investor Topspin Partners, has made its second investment in IDS Sports. The firm closed its debut buyout fund on $132m in July.