Blackstone Raises $13bn Asia PE Fund in World's 'Fastest-Growing' Region
Blackstone announced the final close of its third Asia private‑equity vehicle, Blackstone Capital Partners Asia III, at $13.1 billion, surpassing its $10 billion target. The fund is the firm’s largest private‑equity raise in the region and underscores Asia’s status as the fastest‑growing market for private‑equity capital. Investors will deploy the capital across buyouts, growth equity and strategic exits in China, India and Southeast Asia. The close reflects robust demand from limited partners seeking exposure to the region’s expanding corporate landscape.
Johnson Stokes & Master Names Geoffrey Chan Senior Partner
Hong Kong law firm Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM) announced Geoffrey Chan as its new senior partner, effective June 1, 2026. Chan succeeds Terence Tung, who led the firm for a decade and will stay on as a partner. Chan...
KPMG Australia's CEO and Audit Head Resigns After Failed Whistleblower Investigation
KPMG Australia’s chief executive Andrew Yates and national audit partner Julian McPherson stepped down after an internal investigation into a whistleblower’s data‑use allegations was judged insufficiently rigorous. The firm acknowledged the probe fell short of its own standards and hired Principia...
Jardines Buys I-MED Radiology Network for A$3.4bn From Permira
Jardine Matheson Holdings announced the acquisition of I‑MED Radiology Network for an enterprise value of A$3.4 billion (approximately US$2.4 billion). The deal gives Jardines 100 % ownership of the Australian‑based diagnostic imaging and teleradiology specialist. Jardines aims to deepen its presence in Australia...
OpenAI to Open Singapore AI Lab as Apac Investments Ramp Up
OpenAI announced a multi‑year partnership with Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, committing more than $234 million to support the city‑state’s national AI strategy. The Singapore office, opened in late 2024, will act as OpenAI’s Asia‑Pacific hub and will collaborate...
Beijing Tightens Overseas Investment Oversight Amid Security Concerns
Chinese regulators have blocked Meta’s planned acquisition of AI startup Manus and imposed a fine on a domestic food company for breaching newly introduced overseas listing rules. The actions reflect a broader push by Beijing to tighten oversight of outbound...
PIF’s Strategic Reset Signals a More Disciplined Global Ambition
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), unveiled a new five‑year plan that redefines its global investment approach. The strategy pulls back from costly prestige assets while deepening exposure to Asian markets and committing to long‑term economic...
Opinion: China's Deepening Presence in Europe’s Tech and Manufacturing Sectors
Chinese companies are shifting from a pure export model to embedding themselves within Europe’s tech and manufacturing sectors, according to Collabrium Partners’ Adam Zhang Yu. The strategy involves acquisitions, joint ventures, and local R&D centers to secure supply chains and...
FA at 30: How Hong Kong’s Evolving Market Infrastructure Is Building Out the GBA
Hong Kong’s stock exchange is tightening listing standards, rebalancing its benchmark indices and expanding cross‑border mechanisms such as Stock Connect. These moves improve corporate governance, give greater weight to Greater Bay Area (GBA) firms and open new channels for mainland...
SMBC Appoints Elaine He as Head of DCM Apac Ex-Japan
SMBC Group has appointed Elaine He as head of its debt capital markets (DCM) syndicate and co‑head of DCM for Asia Pacific ex‑Japan, effective May 11. He brings extensive experience in high‑yield syndications and cross‑border financing. The move reinforces SMBC’s...
HK's Airport Authority Prices Record HK$19bn Multi-Tranche Bond Amid Strong Demand
Airport Authority Hong Kong priced a HK$19 billion (US$2.42 billion) multi‑tranche senior notes offering, one of the largest local‑currency bond deals in recent years. The issue was oversubscribed 2.9 times, reflecting strong demand for high‑grade HK‑dollar debt. Proceeds will fund the second runway...
HK's Airport Authority Issues Record HK$19bn Multi-Tranche Bond Amid Strong Demand
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) priced a HK$19 billion (US$2.42 billion) multi‑tranche senior notes offering, the largest local‑currency bond issuance by a public‑sector entity this year. The deal featured 5‑year and 10‑year maturities and was oversubscribed, with demand about 30 percent above...
Clifford Capital Prices $733m Eighth and Largest IABS to Date
Clifford Capital, the Singapore‑based infrastructure credit platform, has priced its eighth public infrastructure asset‑backed securities (IABS) issuance, Bayfront IABS VIII. The deal totals $733.3 million, making it the firm’s largest IABS offering to date. The securities are backed by a diversified portfolio...
Cathay Pacific Makes First HK Dollar Public Bond at HK$2.08bn
Cathay Pacific priced its first Hong Kong dollar public bond on April 27, 2026, issuing HK$2.08 billion (about US$270 million) with a three‑year fixed rate. The bond was set at a 3.78 % yield, marking the airline’s debut in the HKD debt market. This move...
Apac (Ex Japan) Investment Banking Fees Fell 5% in Q1 as ECM Fees Grew 62%: LSEG
LSEG data shows APAC (ex‑Japan) investment‑banking fees fell 5% YoY to $5.3 billion in Q1 2026. Despite the decline, equity capital markets (ECM) fees surged 62%, driven by Hong Kong activity. Conversely, M&A fees plunged 47% across the region. The mixed results highlight...