Highlights of the study:
- German institutional investors have raised allocations to private equity by 25% increasing their commitments to the asset class at a pace markedly above normal maturity patterns
- A significant 7% of the allocation (as compared with a global average of 3%) is going to secondaries funds, demonstrating a high level of sophistication of allocation modelling.
- 62% of existing German Institutional Investors intend to invest in secondaries going forward, with 27% of respondents citing impressive returns and 23% citing risk diversification of portfolios as the key reasons for investing.
- Secondary transactions are regarded as an important portfolio management instrument, with the most important characteristics remaining discretion, a win-win solution, and the ability to structure complex transactions.
- Decisions to sell to secondaries funds are fundamentally based on achieving otherwise difficult exits (22% of respondents), active portfolio management (22%) and locking in a return (22%).
A recent study of German Institutional Investors1 has found that appetite for the private equity market is rapidly accelerating, with capital allocations up 25% from 2003. The study conducted by Prof. Dr. Stefan Jugel from the highly respected Wiesbadener Private Equity Institut in Germany shows a country accelerating its commitment to the asset class, particularly through secondaries funds, beyond the allocation patterns normally witnessed.
The backdrop for comparison purposes is that European private equity funds, in total, currently account for 27% ($306.5bn) of the total global funds raised between 1999 and 20052 (Global PE funds raised a total $1,129.1bn3). Secondaries funds globally account for 3% of the total funds under management at $37bn4 with Europe accounting for $10bn.
Key findings of this new study have shown that within this expanding market the German sector is rapidly maturing and has become considerably more institutionalised. While Germany is mirroring the investment modelling pattern previously observed in the US and UK, it is doing so at an accelerated pace. Its higher than average commitment to secondaries funds sets this trend in sharp relief. A noteworthy 62% of German Institutional Investors that have previously invested in private equity were cited as intending to commit to secondaries in the future. This marked interest in secondaries is highlighted with German Institutional investors allocating a significant 7% [to the asset class] compared to the global average of 3%.
The study showed that 18% of German Institutional investors have already invested in secondaries funds and 11% of the capital invested in Private Equity was sold via secondaries transactions. These figures highlight the increasing importance of secondaries funds to the primary market as a liquidity solution.
Francesco di Valmarana at Unigestion commented:
“We are very encouraged by the findings of this research, which reinforce our positive internal forecasts for German private equity. With such a rapid increase in private equity allocations over the last three years, institutional investors have obviously understood the benefits of the asset class. Germany is set to become an increasingly significant market both for private equity fund of funds and dedicated secondaries players in the next few years.”
Joanna Jordan at Greenpark Capital added:
“This research confirms our own reading of German investors’ attitude towards secondaries market The characteristics cited as being important when considering a sale to a secondaries manager, namely discretion, being able to achieve a fair consideration for assets and the ability to structure complex transactions, show a high level of sophistication among German institutional investors.”
A copy of the research report is available upon request.
Contacts
Equus: Piers Hooper +44 20 7223 1100
Greenpark Capital: Joanna Jordan +44 20 7647 1400
Unigestion: Francesco di Valmarana +44 20 7529 4169
Note to Editors
Around 200 companies responded to the survey, which was carried out by Dr Stefan Jugel of the Wiesbadener Private Equity Institut.
Greenpark Capital
Greenpark Capital is one of the UK’s leading secondaries specialists, advising funds in excess of $700 million. Established in 2000, it specialises in providing liquidity for investors in buyout, venture and other private equity investments who are seeking to sell their investments before they reach maturity. Greenpark funds are capitalised by major institutions from Europe, the US, the Far East and the Middle East.
The Greenpark team has extensive experience in the secondaries market and a broad base of language and cultural skills, enabling the expert execution of transactions throughout Europe and across the world.
Greenpark has built a reputation for sound investment skills, innovative deal structuring and a highly responsive approach to sellers’ specific needs. It has the recognised expertise to deliver customised solutions to investors with total reliability and confidentiality.
Unigestion
Unigestion is a privately owned asset management firm that focuses exclusively on the management of innovative highly active strategies spanning the private and public capital markets. Employing over 100 people and operating through subsidiaries in Geneva, Paris, London, Guernsey and New York, Unigestion manages assets of €6.8 billion on behalf of leading pension funds, insurance companies, banks, charitable foundations and a select group of families. Established in 1971, Unigestion has been investing in private equity for over 20 years and manages a continuous series of top-quartile fund of funds and innovative specialist solutions for larger clients.
Unigestion’s services are characterised by a unique blend of assets and skills:
- With 74% of capital resources controlled by management, guaranteed independence
- €120 million of shareholders equity invested alongside its clients
- Forward thinking investment culture coupled with focused execution
- Steady asset growth and stable capital base to support long-term investment in new capabilities and systems
- An impressive proven track record.
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