Carlyle, Bain, CVC eye Blackstone's Mphasis; KKR to buy Telefonica Chile stake

TOP NEWS IN PRIVATE EQUITY

* Carlyle Group Inc. is a possible contender for the approximately $3 billion buyout of Blackstone Group Inc.'s IT firm Mphasis Ltd., CNBC-TV18 reported Feb. 22, citing three independent sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Bain Capital LP and CVC Capital Partners Ltd. are among the other potential bidders for the company.

* KKR & Co. Inc. agreed to acquire a majority stake in telecommunications company Telefonica Moviles Chile SA's existing fiber optic network, to create Chile's first open access wholesale fiber optics company. The deal is worth nearly $1.0 billion and is expected to close in the first half, subject to regulatory approvals.

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➤ Brexit brings additional bureaucracy for private equity

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FUNDRAISING AND DEALS

* An investor group comprising Blackstone, Cassa depositi e prestiti SpA and Macquarie Group Ltd. is expected to file a binding offer for Atlantia SpA's 88% stake in Autostrade per l'Italia SpA on Feb. 24, Reuters reported Feb. 22, citing several sources close to the matter. The proposal values the Rome-based motorway company at €8.5 billion to €9.5 billion, according to the report.

* Cyxtera Technologies Inc., a portfolio company of BC Partners LLP and Medina Capital, agreed to merge with Starboard Value Acquisition Corp. in a deal that implies an enterprise value of about $3.4 billion. Starboard Value Acquisition is sponsored by Starboard Value LP affiliate SVAC Sponsor LLC.

* Special purpose acquisition company Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. II and Advent International Corp.-backed ATI Holdings Inc. agreed to merge in a deal that values the outpatient physical therapy company at about $2.5 billion. Upon the deal's closing, the merged entity will operate as ATI Physical Therapy Inc. and remain listed on the NYSE under a new ticker.

* Carlyle and co-investor Quadriga Capital Inc. will exit Zurich-based clinic chain Ameos AG as the company's founder and CEO Axel Paeger and Intermediate Capital Group PLC take full control, Reuters reported Feb. 22, citing people close to the matter.

* Blackstone-owned auto-component maker Sona Comstar is set to raise around 60.0 billion Indian rupees in an IPO, The Economic Times reported.

* Bain Capital acquired a 30% stake in port logistics company International Cargo Terminals And Rail Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. for about 15.0 billion Indian rupees, The Hindu Business Line reported.

VENTURE CAPITAL

* Poland-based PFR Ventures Ltd. invested €75 million in four private equity funds. Apax Partners LLP, PAI Partners, Avallon Sp z oo and an undisclosed fund manage the platforms.

INDUSTRY NEWS

* Two co-founders of Hong Kong-based Boyu Capital Consultancy Co. Ltd. transferred some of its operations to Singapore to reduce exposure to potential scrutiny or adverse action by Chinese authorities, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 22, citing people briefed on the move.

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