Canadian private equity buyout industry in Q1 2010: Signs of recovery

TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - CVCA - Canada's Venture Capital and Private Equity Association together with research partner, Thomson Reuters, today released Q1 2010 data for Canada's buyout industry that revealed investment and fundraising levels that were up as the industry demonstrated signs of recovering from the global economic slowdown. In this regard, the Canadian buyout industry's experience has mirrored that of its counterparts in the US and around the world.

"The data indicate that the Canadian buyout market stabilized in Q1, largely as a result of increased investments by Canadian funds both here and abroad." said Gregory Smith, President of the CVCA and Managing Partner, Brookfield Financial. "The strong fund raising record of the last three years is now being deployed to take advantage of business opportunities at home and across the globe."

Canadian funds invested US $415 million in Canada in the quarter while American and other foreign funds invested only US $40 million, down significantly from the US $381 million invested by foreign funds in Q4 2009 and the US $567 million invested in Q1 2009.

In addition to increased activity by Canadian funds at home, Canadian funds invested substantially more abroad in Q1 than in recent quarters. In Q1 2010, Canadians invested US $719 million in companies abroad, which was 45% of the US $1.6 billion invested abroad in the entire 2009 year.

Buyout fundraising remained modest in Q1 2010 with only $260 million raised, barely 10 per cent of the $2.8 billion in the whole of 2009.

"With investment levels picking up, Canadian buyout funds are increasingly turning their attention to fundraising from domestic and international sources which will be key to maintaining robust investment volumes going forward." Added Mr. Smith.

    
    CVCA
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The CVCA - Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association, was founded in 1974 and is the association that represents Canada's venture capital and private equity industry. Its over 1800 members are firms and organizations which manage the majority of Canada's pools of capital designated to be committed to venture capital and private equity investments. The CVCA fosters professional development, networking, communication, research and education within the venture capital and private equity sector and represents the industry in public policy matters.

    
    Thomson Reuters
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Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. They combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. www.thomsonreuters.com .

For further information: To arrange an interview with Gregory Smith, President of the CVCA and Managing Partner, Brookfield Financial, contact Lauren Linton, Director of Marketing, [phone], [email protected]