Siddharth Poddar

The firm may try to replicate one of its greatest triumphs - the successful turnaround of Continental Airlines - in a deal that could reportedly be worth $300m or more.

Fundraising by Australian private equity funds plummeted to A$1.54bn in the year ending June 2009, although total investment value registered a slight increase.

Sandwiched between China and India, Southeast Asia is fragmented, risky and often bypassed in favour of the more developed private equity markets of its enormous neighbours. But for investors with the right appetite, and managers with the right skill-set, the region presents a uniquely compelling investment case.

Private equity firms have invested $2.7 billion in Indian infrastructure since the beginning of 2006 and a pick up in investment activity is anticipated in the next eight to 12 months.

The Korean buyout firm has acquired a 30.7% stake in BC Card and is looking to acquire a controlling stake in the company by the end of the year.

Deal flow has slowed in recession-hit New Zealand, but there is still plenty to keep GPs busy finds Siddharth Poddar.

2009 has not brought the cheap asset sales many in the Australian private equity industry were anticipating – but neither has it brought the expected wave of bankruptcies. Siddharth Poddar finds spirits high, despite the lull in activity.

Fundraising for Asia-focused funds may have stalled, but it has less to do with Asia than it has to with a slowdown in the pace of investments globally, writes Siddharth Poddar.

KKR is reportedly among the firms eyeing a $1.5bn deal for a Citi-owned Japanese telemarketer. If agreed, it would mark KKR's first Japanese LBO since opening in Tokyo.

Private equity firms invested $301m in India’s renewable energy sector last year, a ten-fold increase from 2006. The numbers are expected to keep climbing.