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ICICI Bank Shares Slip as ICICI Prudential AMC Files for Landmark ₹10,000 Crore IPO
Market News - June 10, 2025

Mizuho Makes Bold Play for India with $700 Million Avendus Buy

Mizuho Makes Bold Play for India with $700 Million Avendus Buy

Mizuho, a top-tier Japanese bank, makes a significant foray into India’s financial landscape by acquiring a majority stake in Avendus Capital from KKR, signaling a pivotal shift in the country’s investment banking space.

The Deal: Details and Structure
After months of negotiations and a competitive bidding process, Mizuho and KKR, along with Avendus’s senior leadership, finalized the acquisition terms in early June 2025. The deal values Avendus Capital at approximately ₹6,000 crore ($700 million), with KKR selling its entire 60% stake, alongside early investors, some high-net-worth individuals, and co-founder Ranu Vohra. The remaining founders, Kaushal Aggarwal and Gaurav Deepak, will retain their stakes and continue to manage the company, ensuring operational continuity, though Mizuho will wield veto rights.
Mizuho CEO Mr. Masahiro Kihara is going to visit India for high-level discussions and to formally announce the acquisition. The acquisition will give Mizuho a controlling interest of up to 70% in Avendus, making it a major force in India’s financial services industry.

Avendus Capital: A Homegrown Success Story
Founded in 1999 by three friends—Ranu Vohra, Kaushal Aggarwal, and Gaurav Deepak—Avendus Capital has grown into one of India’s most prominent investment banks. The company offers services in investment banking, credit financing, institutional equities, wealth advisory, and asset management, with operations in ten Indian cities and international offices in the US and Singapore.
Avendus’s acquisition of Spark in 2022 expanded its reach into institutional equities, further diversifying its offeringsIn the nine-month period ending December 2024, Avendus generated ₹1,035 crore in consolidated revenue and posted a profit after tax of ₹170 crore. Investment banking remained the primary growth driver, accounting for the majority of its pre-tax earnings. Its strong financial performance has positioned it as one of the most sought-after dealmakers in India.

KKR’s Exit and Returns
Global investment firm KKR made its initial entry into Avendus in 2015, securing a majority stake with an investment estimated between ₹950 and ₹1,000 crore. The transaction also signifies the exit of a number of initial investors and smaller shareholders, among them Gaja Capital.

Strategic Context: Why Mizuho, Why Now?
Mizuho’s acquisition of Avendus comes amid a broader trend of Japanese financial institutions deepening their presence in India. Just last month, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) picked up a strategic stake in Yes Bank, and Mizuho itself has recently invested in Kisetsu Saison Finance. Having established five branches in India and committed $500 million to its local operations, Mizuho is making a strong play for long-term growth in the country’s financial sector.
The deal also reflects Mizuho’s global ambitions. Mizuho has been expanding its international presence through acquisitions, notably of Greenhill & Co. and an Indian fintech startup in 2024. The alliance with Avendus provides the Japanese bank with a gateway to a fast-growing market and a platform backed by strong local expertise and established networks.

Competitive Bidding and Advisory
The Avendus stake sale attracted significant interest from global private equity and financial players, including Carlyle, TPG Capital, TA Associates, and even Nomura, which was originally hired to manage the process before Rothschild took over as advisor. Ultimately, Mizuho outbid Carlyle, with insiders citing Mizuho’s strategic fit and cross-border transaction capabilities as key differentiators.

What’s Next for Avendus?
Post-acquisition, Avendus will continue to operate under the leadership of its remaining founders, with the support and oversight of Mizuho. The Japanese bank’s global reach and capital strength are expected to enhance Avendus’s ability to serve clients, especially in cross-border M&A and capital markets.
The deal also positions Avendus to further expand its wealth management, alternative asset management, and institutional equities businesses, leveraging Mizuho’s international network and financial muscle.

Conclusion
Mizuho’s $700 million acquisition of Avendus Capital is a watershed moment for both companies and for India’s financial services landscape. It underscores the growing appeal of Indian financial assets to global investors and marks a new era of cross-border collaboration. As Mizuho integrates Avendus into its global operations, the Indian investment bank is poised for its next phase of growth, backed by one of the world’s largest financial groups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Poonawalla Fincorp Shares Jump to 11-Month High on ₹500 Crore NCD Fundraising Plan

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Goldman Sachs Sells ₹48 Crore Ethos Shares; Stock Dips!
Market News - May 19, 2025

Japan Profits Dip, Goldman Stays Ahead

Japan Profits Dip, Goldman Stays Ahead

Foreign financial institutions faced a challenging year in Japan during fiscal 2024, with most recording significant declines in profitability. Despite the broader downturn, Goldman Sachs remained the most profitable foreign bank in the country, though even it wasn’t immune to earnings pressure. Several players are now rethinking their approach to better cope with Japan’s shifting financial landscape.

Goldman Sachs Maintains Top Spot Amid Falling Returns

Goldman Sachs led foreign banks in Japan by profit, though its earnings dropped sharply to ¥27.6 billion, representing a year-on-year fall of roughly 30%. This downturn came on the back of reduced activity in areas like trading and investment banking, sectors which had previously driven strong results.
Nevertheless, Goldman’s ability to retain its top position points to its well-established local network and diverse operations. It remains one of the few foreign banks with a strong institutional presence and consistent performance across multiple verticals in Japan.

Other Institutions Report Steep Declines

Several of Goldman’s competitors did not fare as well. Both Barclays and Deutsche Bank saw notable declines in their Japan-based profits, largely due to weaker performance in their trading businesses. Reduced activity in bond and currency markets significantly impacted their revenue streams, marking a difficult year for firms that rely heavily on market volatility to drive income.
Barclays, which had been scaling its operations across Asia, experienced limited trading opportunities and a weaker pipeline of investment deals. Deutsche Bank’s Japanese operations similarly struggled with subdued market sentiment and tighter financial conditions.

UBS and Bank of America Show Growth

Not all international players suffered losses. UBS posted a strong improvement in earnings, reporting an 82% jump in net income. The acquisition and integration of Credit Suisse strengthened UBS’s position, especially in wealth management and advisory services, contributing to its stellar performance.
Bank of America also turned its fortunes around, returning to profit after previous underperformance. Gains in its equity and lending businesses helped support its rebound, suggesting that more diversified institutions fared better amid market turbulence.

Economic Conditions Tighten Margins

The Japanese financial environment proved difficult for global players due to a number of factors. Chief among them was the shift in the Bank of Japan’s policy stance, as it began raising interest rates for the first time in years. This transition introduced new volatility in debt markets, complicating risk management and compressing returns from fixed-income activities.
Moreover, Japanese banks continue to dominate in areas like retail lending and corporate banking, presenting stiff competition. For foreign players with limited local presence and higher operational costs, turning a profit has become increasingly difficult.

Foreign Banks Begin Strategic Overhaul

Confronted with falling profits and a more complex operating landscape, many global institutions are reevaluating their footprint in Japan. Some have begun to scale down their exposure to low-margin or volatile sectors, especially in trading. Others are shifting focus to more stable income sources like mergers and acquisitions, private banking, and ESG-driven financing.
Efforts are also being made to align more closely with domestic clients. Foreign banks are investing in technology upgrades and building local partnerships to strengthen their competitiveness. Improved digital capabilities and localized service models are seen as essential for long-term success.

Looking Forward: Resilience and Realignment

Despite current headwinds, Japan remains a market of strategic importance for many global banks. With its mature economy, growing interest in sustainability finance, and corporate reform trends, the country offers medium-term growth prospects for agile institutions.
Going forward, success will likely depend on how effectively foreign banks can adapt to Japan’s evolving financial system. Institutions that focus on long-term client relationships, digital transformation, and cost management may stand a better chance of achieving sustained profitability.

 

 

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Allied Blenders to Boost Margins by 300 Bps!

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