CDH Sells Shares in WH Group and Closes CNY3.5 Billion Mezzanine Fund (Asia)

Source: WH Group, Asian Venture Capital Journal  |  Author(s): Winnie Liu

China-focused private equity firm CDH Investments has agreed to sell a 10.62 percent stake in China-based pork producer WH Group for approximately HKD9.3 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CDH continues to hold a 19.77 percent stake in the company. The firm sold 880 million shares to institutional investors, 292 million shares to a vehicle controlled by WH chairman Wan Long and 383 million shares to other unnamed investors. Separately, CDH closed its latest RMB-denominated mezzanine fund with CNY3.5 billion (approximately US$525 million) in capital commitments. Seventeen institutional investors committed to the fund, of which ten are Chinese insurance companies, including People's Insurance Company of China, ICBC-AXA and Huatai Insurance. Other investors include Chinese endowments and state-owned enterprises.