Atlantic Aviation, Apollo & KKR | The Landlocked Exit

What does USD 10 billion buy when the growth case returns roughly seven percent? That is the question behind the Atlantic Aviation deal, in which Apollo-managed funds announced the acquisition of a significant stake in the US private-aviation ground-services operator from KKR, which remains a major shareholder, with GIC as co-investor. Atlantic runs a network … Read more

KDB Life & Korea Investment | The Price Is the Split

What does it cost to buy a life insurer whose loss-absorbing capital is negative? The KDB Life sale, the seventh attempt by state-owned Korea Development Bank (KDB) to sell its South Korean life insurance subsidiary, answers that question precisely. Korea Investment Holdings, parent of Korea Investment & Securities, has been named preferred bidder, and the … Read more

Wendy’s & Trian | The Servicer’s Seat

What happens when the cheapest debt a company owns is also the clause that stops anyone from buying it? That is the structural question behind the reported Wendy’s Trian take-private, in which Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management, franchisee Flynn Group and Blue Five Capital are said to be assembling a bid for the US burger … Read more

Bonchon, Minor & VIG | The Tenant’s Buyout

Every long-term tenant eventually runs the same calculation: when does the rent still to be paid exceed the price of the building? That is the question behind the Bonchon acquisition, in which Thailand’s Minor Food bought the Korean-founded fried chicken franchisor from Korean private equity firm VIG Partners. Buying the building at that point is … Read more