Apollo Global joins battle for Britain’s Morrisons

The $8.7 billion bid battle for Britain’s fourth largest supermarket group Morrisons (MRW.L) ratcheted up on Monday when a third private equity group, Apollo Global Management, entered the fray.
Asia M&A bonanza fuelled by Southeast Asia, private equity deals

Asian merger and acquisition activity surged to its second-highest level ever for a first half as Southeast Asian and private-equity deals hit records, and bankers expect the strong momentum to be maintained for the rest of the year.
St. Modwen accepts Blackstone’s raised $1.75 bln take-private offer

Housebuilder and logistics firm St. Modwen Properties (SMP.L) said on Thursday it has agreed to a sweetened 1.25 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) offer from U.S. private equity firm Blackstone (BX.N) to take it private.
Banks bulk up in Hong Kong as China business overshadows politics

Some global banks, funds and other financial services providers say they are stepping up hiring in Hong Kong, in a sign the city’s unique position as a financial gateway to China is outweighing concerns about Beijing’s tightening grip over it.
Analysis: Chasing yield, U.S. private equity firms nudge up risk on insurers

Private equity firms have spent nearly $40 billion buying U.S. insurance companies in recent years, promising to earn higher returns on the mountains of money that insurers set aside to pay policyholders years or decades from now.
KKR, CD&R take data analytics firm Cloudera private for $4.7 bln

Private equity firms KKR & Co (KKR.N) and Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC (CD&R) will take Cloudera Inc (CLDR.N) private for $4.7billion, the cloud-based data analytics company said on Tuesday.
Apollo co-founder Josh Harris to step down from private equity firm

Apollo Global Management Inc (APO.N) said on Thursday co-founder Joshua Harris has decided to step down from his day-to-day role, the latest in a series of governance changes at the private equity firm.
Private equity’s falling out of love with plastic packaging

A decade ago, private equity couldn’t get enough of plastic packaging. They snapped up companies making bags, films and trays to contain everything from food and fashion to drink to drugs, drawn by reliable cash flows and consolidation prospects.
Australia’s Star eyes Crown in $7 bln play, vies with private equity

Australian casino operator Star Entertainment Group (SGR.AX) on Monday proposed an all-stock buyout of larger rival Crown Resorts Ltd (CWN.AX) that it valued at A$9 billion ($7 billion), taking on two private equity giants for control of the troubled company.