Fundraising

Africa has an enormous need for infrastructure projects. But investors say deals still take too long to get off the ground, and too long to complete - and it’s not the credit crunch they blame. Philip Borel reports.

The London-based property fund manager is reportedly targeting the British real estate market with its UK Value Fund. The firm has raised £90m to date.

The $123.8bn California pension plan took a 50% write-down in its value-added/opportunistic real estate investments in the year to 31 March 2009. The pension has completely written off its equity in some funds, while others are currently reporting IRRs of more than -100%.

The scarcity of lines of credit has hit the operations of small firms especially hard, and those without strong existing ties with banks will likely have to survive without credit sources until 2011.

These 15 firms have the skills and strategies to dominate the real estate wasteland, say market insiders. PERE Magazine September 2009.

PERE Magazine September 2009: Although it sits on a massive pile of dry powder, the world’s largest private equity real estate firm has directed its professionals to first spend their time deeply researching macro trends around the world, as well as briefing LPs about their findings. Jonathan Brasse recently interviewed the London-based team that spearheaded this back-to-school effort to learn how they believe the world has changed.

PERE September 2009: Two European professionals at US placement agent CP Eaton have left in recent weeks. The firm has been cost cutting, but the changes at CP Eaton mirror wider challenges in the capital raising industry. By Robin Marriott.

PERE Magazine September 2009: The decision by Citigroup to sell Citi Property Investors may be about reducing risk, but it only ensures the bank misses out on the potential for outsized returns over the next five years. By Zoe Hughes

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.