China Merchants Capital

China Merchants Capital (CMC) is a Chinese alternative investment firm founded in 2012 that is headquartered in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It is currently a joint venture (JV) between China Merchants Group (CMG) and GLP.

In June 2021, Private Equity International ranked CMC as the largest private equity firm in Asia-Pacific based on total fundraising over the most recent five-year period.[1]

In June 2024, China Merchants Capital ranked 48th in Private Equity International's PEI 300 ranking among the world's largest private equity firms.[2]

Background

CMC was originally the investment arm of CMG before being officially launched as a fully-fledged private equity manager in 2012.[1][3]

On 11 October 2019, GLP announced that it would acquire 50% of CMC from CMG. Going forward CMC would be co-managed by both CMG and GLP.[1][3][4]

As of November 2020, CMC manages 37 private equity funds in seven different sectors and has 260 employees. Its largest fund is the Yinhe Equity Investment Fund which is a fund of funds that invests in CMC funds. Its funds typically tend to have a seven-year term that comprises a three to four-year investment period, two years to three years for divestiture and an optional one year add on.[1][3]

CMC's capital comes from both government entities and private businesses. Notable investors include financial institutions such as Agricultural Bank of China, Mizuho Securities and SoftBank Group.[3]

Notable deals

In November 2019, CMC and ESR Group launched the ESR Australia Logistics Trust, a A$350 million logistics real estate fund that would invest in Australian assets.[5]

In November 2022, CMC was exploring a takeover offer for Chinese data center operator Chindata. It was listed on the Nasdaq and was backed by Bain Capital.[6] In June 2023, CMC made a bid of $3.4 billion to rival Bain Capital's offer to privatize Chindata.[7] In August 2023, Chindata decided to go with Bain Capital's offer over CMC in a $3.16 billion deal.[8]

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