New KKR hedge fund offerings to match retail investors with distressed debt in Asia

(FinancialTimes) Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is to launch two investment funds aimed at retail investors as the private equity group attempts to broaden its business beyond its leveraged buyout roots.

The move comes as listed alternative asset managers expand into real estate, hedge funds and the traditional trading and advisory activities of investment banks, creating the potential for new conflicts of interest as they buy, sell, advise and finance companies. ===> Continue Reading at FinancialTimes

WSJ: Private Equity Fundraising In Asia Down in 2012

(Wall Street Journal) Private-equity fundraising and transactions decreased in almost every country in Asia during the first half of 2012, including China, as weak markets make IPO exits tough while continued high valuations put off investors, according to data from industry publication Asian Venture Capital Journal.

China continued to dominate fundraising, however, with local currency funds taking up a larger share of the total.

While the biggest funds like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and TPG Capital continued to raise ever-bigger Asia-focused funds, fundraising in the region reached $26.2 billion in the first half of this year, a 23.4% drop from the same period a year ago and the lowest level since 2009. Less than 700 funds were closed in the period. Read More at the Wall Street Journal

Reuters: Buyout firms fund raisings in Asia

June 6 (Reuters) – Private equity firms raising new Asia
funds, and some recently closed funds:

CARLYLE GROUP
Carlyle is raising around $3.5 billion for a new Asia
fund.

Oregon Funds Bolster KKR’s Second Asia Hedge Fund

(FINalternatives) Jun 6 2012 | 9:39am ET — A pair of Oregon public funds is pouring $250 million into a Kohlberg Kravis Roberts Asia-focused hedge fund.

The state’s Investment Council approved the spend by the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund and Oregon Common School Fund, Asian Investor reports. The former has committed $200 million to KKR Asian Fund II and the latter $50 million.