India and Japan Expected to be Blackstone's Most Active Markets
The head of private equity at Blackstone Inc. stated that the company anticipates Japan and India to be its most active Asian markets in terms of capital allocation next year. "In an interview in Tokyo, Joe Baratta, global head of private equity at Blackstone, stated that India has the most robust stock market and the highest growth rate". As a market, Japan will be very intriguing. There needs to be more connection between the economy and global events.
Baratta was in Tokyo to meet with the executives of Blackstone's private equity firm, who were traveling throughout Asia. There, they discussed strategy and had meetings with investors from around the world. The only two private equity portfolio companies in Japan owned by the New York-based firm are Ayumi Pharmaceutical Corp. and Alinamin Pharmaceutical Co., the latter of which was Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.'s consumer healthcare division. In a deal worth 242 billion ($1.6 billion), it purchased the latter. Blackstone's negotiations to become an equity investor in Toshiba Corp.'s takeover stopped earlier this year.
Although the central bank indicated last week that it was loosening its grip on long-term rates, Japan has been one of the industrialised nations that have been the last to embrace rock-bottom rates. However, this may soon change. Yet, according to Baratta, the firm's investment decisions are unaffected by the Bank of Japan's stance. It does offer a possible attraction for Blackstone, given that it has dropped roughly 24% vs the dollar over the last two years due to the difference in interest rates between the US and Japan. Compared to not investing, it makes us feel better.