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In the News
Dow Jones Newswires
Matthew Monks writes about Challenger’s first fund, which is looking at a first close in summer 2008 and targeting consumer products, non-regulated health care and light industrial businesses in the Southwestern United States. Full Article ››
The Dallas Morning News
Cheryl Hall explores Doug Wheat and Mark Stephens’ plans for the new Challenger Capital Group, offering combined advisory services and private equity funding for the middle market. Full Article ››
Dallas Business Journal
Challenger Capital Group is recognized as the “winning deal” for best buyout or change of ownership (under $500 million) in the Dallas Business Journal’s M&A awards for the firm’s involvement in Trinity Industries’ sale of Trinity Fittings Group to Hackney Ladish Inc. and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Inc. Challenger also received an “honorable mention” for best contribution to one or more merger, acquisition or other corporate financing event by a North Texas investment banking firm, for the firm’s range of transactions and significant deal activity in 2006.
Debt & Equity Journal
Among speculation of a slowdown in the real estate market, Peter Tippen, managing director of corporate real estate for Challenger Capital Group, believes now is a good time for private equity investment in growing real estate or development companies. He says small to mid–sized transactions and young, aggressive real estate firms represent opportunities that institutional investors often overlook.
Money Management Executive
Chuck Davis, executive director of Challenger Capital Group, says that earn–outs can be a win–win for the seller and the buyer when a deal value cannot be agreed upon by both parties. But he warns that earn–outs can cause conflicts years later when you have to negotiate the split of growth and carve away what existed before the acquisition versus what the buyer has developed since then.
Investment Dealers’ Digest
Challenger Capital Group is involved in one of the largest ethanol transaction to date, raising $148 million in equity and mezzanine debt for ASAlliances Biofuels to help construct three ethanol–production plants in the Midwest United States. Challenger is among a select group of investment banks involved in alternative energy deals today.
Dallas Business Journal
Challenger Capital Group is named a runner–up in the Dallas Business Journal’s M&A awards for the firm’s involvement in Mark J. Wattles Enterprises’ buyout of a majority share in Ultimate Electronics. Mark Stephens and his team completed the deal over the New Year’s holiday in early 2005 and later in the spring advised Wattles to help his Ultimate Acquisition Partners continue retail operations by acquiring specific Ultimate Electronics and SoundTrak stores across the country.
Dow Jones Newswires
Challenger Capital Group, along with Credit Suisse First Boston (CSF.YY) and UBS investment banks, has been selected to advise the State of Alaska on financial matters regarding its participation in the development of an Alaskan pipeline to bring stranded natural gas from the North Slope to the United States. The pipeline project has been estimated as high as $20 billion.
The Dallas Morning News
The state of Alaska is pushing ahead with decades-old plans for a pipeline to carry natural gas to the lower 48 states as demand has risen and prices have soared. Dallas investment bank Challenger Capital Group is expected to announce today that it will take the lead in recommending ways to fund the pipeline, expected to cost between $13 billion and $20 billion when it's finished in 2012. Full Article ››
CFO magazine
Due to massive consolidation of the investment banking industry, mid–size firms, like Challenger Capital Group, and boutiques are capitalizing on the opportunity to provide relationship–based and individualized attention to the middle market for M&A deals. Full Article ››
Waldo’s Holdings
Waldo’s Holdings, LLC, a Mexico City based small format value retailer, announced the finalization of $60,000,000 (USD) of new financing. The financing process started many months ago when the company, along with its advisor Challenger Capital Group, met with, and received a good reception from, banks and institutional
investors. Full Article ››
The Bond Buyer
Challenger Capital Group has been selected by the Alaska Department of Revenue to serve as an advisor, along with Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS Investment Bank, to the state regarding its ownership in an estimated $20 billion pipeline to move stranded natural gas from the North Slope.
Juneau (Alaska) Empire
The state of Alaska has hired Challenger Capital Group as part of a three-firm financial team, also including Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS Investment Bank., to make recommendations to the administration on ownership of an estimated $20 billion natural gas pipeline.
The Dallas Morning News
Challenger Capital Group completed transactions for Mark Wattles, Ultimate Electronics Inc. chairman and chief executive, to purchase more than half of the electronics chain’s stores. “We believe the No. 2 spot is up for grabs. It's a bold move, but it’s one worth his [Wattles] time, energy and capital – a lot of it,” said Mark Stephens, Challenger CEO and executive director, in the article. Full Article ››
Dallas Business Journal
Challenger Capital Group secured a second round of private equity funding for Santa Regina International, Ltd., a premier engineered flooring manufacturer based in Palmer, Texas, to help finance the company’s robust growth plans. In addition, Challenger assembled a team of investors for Santa Regina who have worked with similar manufacturing companies and can offer related advice. Full Article ››
Dallas Business Journal
After advising Mark Wattles, the former chief executive of Hollywood Entertainment Corp., in his purchase of Ultimate Electronics in January 2005, Challenger Capital Group is partnering with Mark Wattles again. This time, Challenger is advising Wattles on his proposal to purchase up to half of Hollywood Entertainment’s stores, competing with Blockbuster's bid for the same company. Full Article ››
Dallas Business Journal
Challenger Capital Group, a new investment bank in Dallas, makes headlines with its first deal, a high–profile series of transactions surrounding Ultimate Electronics for client Mark Wattles, founder of Hollywood Video. Challenger completed the strategic deal for Wattles, allowing him to buy a controlling interest in the company and then file for Chapter 11. Full Article ›› |
