Kirch is working on an improved takeover offer for the media group. The consortium including private equity funds Morgan Grenfell Private Equity and Hellman & Friedman also remains in contention.
Research by Capital DATA for The Wall Street Journal Europe puts the investment bank in first place in terms of value of stock brought to market but ranks it tenth in terms of stock performance.
The latest stage in this long-running saga sees the company making a $1.46 charge per share as a result of writing off $30m from its FLV Fund Korea. It still expects to recoup the capital in a court case.
SPEF II, which has beaten its initial target by E100m, is the largest Spanish fund to date.
The Japanese bank has a strong appetite for hotels: it is also a contender for three out of four Granada Compass chains.
The retail financial services provider was previously owned by Ventura, a subsidiary of Next. Management takes a 10 per cent stake.
Belgian brewer Interbrew is looking for a review of the decision not to allow its takeover of Bass to go ahead.
After three months the company’s latest fund, SEP II, has exceeded its target of £75m and will be increased to £100m.
The group’s global technical and professional directors are buying the company.
The investment company has initially taken an 80 per cent stake but sees more opportunities for growth with Holland Railconsult as an independent company.