Behind the Curve: An Analysis of the Investment Behavior of Private Equity Funds

Behind the Curve: An Analysis of the Investment Behavior of Private Equity Funds

Author: Christian Deger

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13: 3842889100

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In the domain of corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts (LBO) have gained tremendous importance since their first appearance in the late 1970?s. After having suffered from different economic downturns throughout the years, buyouts have become a major force in the worldwide economy, and reached a record accumulated transaction value of $878bn in 2007. LBOs are generally conducted by a private equity (PE) firm through a buyout fund. The fund manager raises a certain amount of equity from outside investors, and invests it into later-stage companies for an average holding period of around five years. An important characteristic of an LBO is that investments are not only financed by equity capital from the fund but, also with a significant amount of debt which is raised individually on a deal-by-deal basis. Moreover, the compensation of both fund managers, and equity investors is not based on the individual investment itself but, on the success of the whole fund. As a result, the particular conditions of buyout investments in a fund setting, as well as the distinct incentive structure of buyout funds, facilitate an increased sensitivity of fund managers with regard to the current state of their fund. This may also influence their leverage and pricing decisions on the transaction level. Corresponding research on buyout structuring is still in its infancy. While there is an increasing amount of empirical literature on the various determinants of leverage and pricing in buyout transactions, little is known about how the investment behavior of buyout funds drives these structuring decisions. A notable exception is the work by Axelson, et al. (2009), who developed a theoretical model that is based on a principal agent conflict between fund managers and outside investors. The model provides a number of predictions on how the investment behavior of fund managers impacts leverage, and decisions about prices at investment entry. The main goal of this study is to identify the forces behind these decisions, and to verify empirically the predictions of the Axelson, et al. (2009) model. Therefore, the work of Axelson, et al. (2009), supplemented with additional literature on LBO leverage and pricing, as well as the investment behavior of buyout funds, forms the theoretical part of the study. Based on the findings of this theoretical part, three hypotheses are formulated, and tested through the use of comprehensive investment pressure variables that were developed on the basis of a representative dataset of 1,190 buyout transactions which were completed between 1985 and 2009.


Listed Private Equity: Investment Strategies and Returns

Listed Private Equity: Investment Strategies and Returns

Author: Sarah Kumpf

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 93

ISBN-13: 3842889488

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The increasing popularity of private equity (‘PE’), and especially leveraged buyouts in the late 1980s, established a novel area of research in these investments. First, research concentrated on the taking private of large corporations in the US. In his most significant paper, Jensen (1989) claimed that PE firms which function as activist investors incentivize the management of their portfolio companies to maximize value, and concluded that in the long run, private companies, owned by PE firms, would outperform firms under public ownership. Others argued that PE firms simply buy companies at a discount by exploiting private information about the takeover targets, or reduce tax spending by highly leveraging the portfolio companies. Today, many PE firms are publicly listed, and the greater transparency and availability of information about these listed PE firms, offers a unique basis to conduct research. Current research in the field of PE, and buyout investments leads to the question, in how far PE firms generate value by means of an investment into a portfolio company. Usually, drivers of value generation are classified into governance, financial and operational capabilities of PE firms. In addition to these direct drivers of value, investment and portfolio management strategies differ with respect to the ways of acquiring and divesting a portfolio company, and these different entry, and exit channels can in turn, offer distinct potential for value generation. Therefore, this paper first presents the investment and portfolio management strategies of PE firms. The strategies include different types of acquisitions, and exits, as well as the associated drivers of value creation. The second objective is to establish a link between different investment strategies, and the expected returns generated on the investor level. Listed PE allows analyzing the market’s reaction to the announcement of investments, and divestments within an event study, and hypotheses were derived for both of these types of events. Thereupon, subsamples of announcements are constructed, dependent on the way of entry and exit announced as well as on strategic decisions implemented in the portfolio company that is to be disposed.


Big Data Investments: Effects of Internet Search Queries on German Stocks

Big Data Investments: Effects of Internet Search Queries on German Stocks

Author: Jan Becker

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2015-08

Total Pages: 93

ISBN-13: 3959345976

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In recent years, the internet has developed very quickly and became a major source of information all over the planet. Many scientists have used search engine query data to forecast econometric time series like consumer confidence indicators, unemployment rates, retail sales, house price indices, stock prices, volatility of stocks and even commodity prices. Following the prior research this study analyzes the impact of internet search engine data on capital markets. Many authors already have contributed to index level data and most of them on the US market. This study adds to the existing literature on the German stock market. Two research questions are answered: First, whether an increase in search queries drives individual stock returns and second, whether queries affect the implied volatility of stock options. After controlling for seasonality, autocorrelation and general market risk, in the further analysis also the Price-to-Book valuation, one year performance and historical volatility are examined in interaction with internet search queries.


Windfall Profit in Portfolio Diversification?: An Empirical Analysis of the Potential Benefits of Renewable Energy Investments

Windfall Profit in Portfolio Diversification?: An Empirical Analysis of the Potential Benefits of Renewable Energy Investments

Author: Frederik Bruns

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 113

ISBN-13: 384288799X

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Modern Portfolio Theory is a theory which was introduced by Markowitz, and which suggests the building of a portfolio with assets that have low or, in the best case, negative correlation. In times of financial crises, however, the positive diversification effect of a portfolio can fail when Traditional Assets are highly correlated. Therefore, many investors search for Alternative Asset classes, such as Renewable Energies, that tend to perform independently from capital market performance. 'Windfall Profit in Portfolio Diversification?' discusses the potential role of Renewable Energy investments in an institutional investor’s portfolio by applying the main concepts from Modern Portfolio Theory. Thereby, the empirical analysis uses a unique data set from one of the largest institutional investors in the field of Renewable Energies, including several wind and solar parks. The study received the Science Award 2012 of the German Alternative Investments Association ('Bundesverband Alternative Investments e.V.').


Shareholder Activism by Hedge Funds: Motivations and Market's Perceptions of Hedge Fund Interventions

Shareholder Activism by Hedge Funds: Motivations and Market's Perceptions of Hedge Fund Interventions

Author: Mihaela Butu

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 3842889143

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In recent years, hedge funds' successful interventions in some large public companies have revealed their critical role in the corporate governance landscape in the United States and Europe. Due to public opinion, this new form of shareholder activism is accompanied by much polemic. This study examines the nature of hedge fund activism, the types of them, and the market’s perception of interventions in the United States. Starting with a distinction between shareholder activism by traditional institutions, and activism performed by hedge funds, the study elucidates why the latter may be more effective in monitoring management, and reduce agency costs. Analysing the Schedules 13D filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the study provides a classification of activists’ demands into ten distinct categories, arguing that hostile forms of activism are not central for hedge funds, and some more aggressive types of activism are possibly used as a negotiating tool to achieve the activist’s agenda. Using the event study methodology, the author estimates the stock returns around the announcement date. For a better understanding of hedge fund activism, and their demands on target companies, the reader will find two original Schedule 13D filings accompanied by letters to the management. Finally, the paper concludes on a view of the subject through the prism of the 2007/ 2008 financial crisis, outlining some trends in the aftermath of the financial market turmoil.


PIPE Investments of Private Equity Funds: The Temptation of Public Equity Investments to Private Equity Firms

PIPE Investments of Private Equity Funds: The Temptation of Public Equity Investments to Private Equity Firms

Author: Bernhard S„rve

Publisher: Diplomica Verlag

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13: 3842889119

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Usually, private equity firms take control of firms which are privately held, and tend to act hidden. But, in recent years, the rising phenomenon of private investments in publicly listed companies, so-called PIPEs, could be observed. At first, this seems to be inconsistent but, it could become a perfect way to generate good returns. This book gives an overview about the PIPE market, and then focuses on the role of private equity funds. How do they invest in publicly listed firms? And what are their motivations? Is the overall performance of PIPE deals superior to those of traditional private deals? PIPE deals have much in common with typical venture capital deals with regard to the young and high-risk nature of target companies, and the minority ownership position. Surprisingly, buyout funds are relatively more engaged in PIPEs than venture funds are. The author analyzes deal sizes, industry sectors, holding periods, IRRs and multiples of public deals, and comparable private deals with a unique data sample on transaction level. Finally, he discusses other possible motives for private equity firms to engage in these deals: improved liquidity, fast process of deal execution, access to certain markets, avoidance of takeover premiums and the thesis of an escape-strategy for surplus investment money.


Exposed to the J-Curve

Exposed to the J-Curve

Author: Ulrich Grabenwarter

Publisher:

Published: 2005-01

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 9781843741497

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"How can institutional and private investors safely invest into private equity? Two experienced market practitioners provide you with a review of the private equity fund industry and a description of all the relevant management issues of fund investments, from a day-to-day and a portfolio persepective to indirect investment vehicles like funds of funds and securitised notes. Learn how to think independently and avoid succumbing to the traps of private equity. This book includes: A discussion of private equity as an asset class and its place within an alternative investment programme. Guidance on investment into funds, including a behind-the-scenes look at the relationship between the fund investor and the fund manager. Portfolio management of fund investments including the latest cash-flow models and their use to avoid liquidity squeezes and over-allocation. An examination of the different types of risks faced by private equity investors and how these can be minimised. An explanation of how investors can outsource these tasks - the relative merits of funds of funds and CFOs, listed products or secondary transactions. This is the first book to discuss the relationship between the limited partners and the general partner, providing an undisguised and independent look behind the scenes, and explain the core aspects of this industry from the perspective of two insiders. An indispensable reference for institutional practitioners and private equity lawyers, as well as students and academics who seek to understand the dynamics of the complex world of private equity."--Editor.


Beyond the J Curve

Beyond the J Curve

Author: Thomas Meyer

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2005-08-12

Total Pages: 405

ISBN-13: 047001198X

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In recent times, venture capital and private equity funds have become household names, but so far little has been written for the investors in such funds, the so-called limited partners. There is far more to the management of a portfolio of venture capital and private equity funds than usually perceived. Beyond the J Curve describes an innovative toolset for such limited partners to design and manage portfolios tailored to the dynamics of this market place, going far beyond the typical and often-simplistic recipe to 'go for top quartile funds'. Beyond the J Curve provides the answers to key questions, including: Why 'top-quartile' promises should be taken with a huge pinch of salt and what it takes to select superior fund managers? What do limited partners need to consider when designing and managing portfolios? How one can determine the funds' economic value to help addressing the questions of 'fair value' under IAS 39 and 'risk' under Basel II or Solvency II? Why is monitoring important, and how does a limited partner manage his portfolio? How the portfolio's returns can be improved through proper liquidity management and what to consider when over-committing? And, why uncertainty rather than risk is an issue and how a limited partner can address and benefit from the fast changing private equity environment? Beyond the J Curve takes the practitioner's view and offers private equity and venture capital professionals a comprehensive guide making high return targets more realistic and sustainable. This book is a must have for all parties involved in this market, as well as academic and students.


Alternative Investments

Alternative Investments

Author: H. Kent Baker

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2013-03-25

Total Pages: 660

ISBN-13: 1118241126

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A comprehensive guide to alternative investments that reveals today's latest research and strategies Historically low interest rates and bear markets in world stock markets have generated intense interest in alternative investments. With returns in traditional investment vehicles relatively low, many professional investors view alternative investments as a means of meeting their return objectives. Alternative Investments: Instruments, Performance, Benchmarks, and Strategies, can put you in a better position to achieve this difficult goal. Part of the Robert W. Kolb Series in Finance, Alternative Investments provides an in-depth discussion of the historic performance, benchmarks, and strategies of every major alternative investment market. With contributions from professionals and academics around the world, it offers valuable insights on the latest trends, research, and thinking in each major area. Empirical evidence about each type of alternative investment is featured, with research presented in a straightforward manner. Examines a variety of major alternative asset classes, from real estate, private equity, and commodities to managed futures, hedge funds, and distressed securities Provides detailed insights on the latest research and strategies, and offers a thorough explanation of historical performance, benchmarks, and other critical information Blends knowledge from the conceptual world of scholars with the pragmatic view of practitioners in this field Alternative investments provide a means of diversification, risk control, and return enhancement and, as such, are attractive to many professional investors. If you're looking for an effective way to hone your skills in this dynamic area of finance, look no further than this book.


How Venture Capital Works

How Venture Capital Works

Author: Phillip Ryan

Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc

Published: 2012-07-01

Total Pages: 82

ISBN-13: 1448867959

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Explanations to the inner workings of one of the least understood, but arguably most important, areas of business finance is offered to readers in this engaging volume: venture capital. Venture capitalists provide necessary investment to seed (or startup) companies, but the startup is only the beginning, there is much more to be explored. These savvy investors help guide young entrepreneurs, who likely have little experience, to turn their businesses into the Googles, Facebooks, and Groupons of the world. This book explains the often-complex methods venture capitalists use to value companies and to get the most return on their investments, or ROI. This book is a must-have for any reader interested in the business world.