GIC buys 5% in Nielsen for over $800m

By Joji Thomas Philip

February 5, 2015

Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC has bought 5 per cent stake in consumer research company Nielsen, in a deal valued at over $800 million.

In its regulatory filing, New York-listed Nielsen said GIC had bought 18.79 million shares in the company. Based on the last traded share price of the company ($43.75 apiece), this works out to be around $822 million, even as it values the television ratings firm, that has operations in over 100 countries, at over $16.6 billion.

The sovereign wealth fund, which analysts believe manages assets of over $300 billion, has been making a slew of investments across the globe over the last couple of months. Its last major deal billion dollar plus deal was in December 2014 when it agreed to buy IndCor Properties Inc from private equity firm Blackstone Group LP for $8.1 billion.

Also read:  GIC to buy Blackstone’s IndCor for $8.1b

In October 2014, the fund had bought a building in Tokyo – Pacific Century Place Marunouchi – for $1.7 billion from Secured Capital Japan Co., the real estate arm of Hong Kong-based alternative-asset manager PAG.

Last month, DEALSTREETASIA had reported that groups led by Blackstone Group and CVC Capital Partners, as well as Ireland’s CRH, had submitted bids for assets put up for sale by cement makers Holcim and Lafarge ahead of their planned merger.

Also read: GIC might bid for Holcim-Lafarge assets

Recently, DEALSTREETASIA has reported that  GIC as well as Singapore government’s state investment arm Temasek Holdings were among the leading global funds that are that are in the race to pick up to 30% stake in the merged British mobile phone giants – 02 and Three. 

Also read

GIC & Temasek among funds in race to pick stake in merged British telcos: Report

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW