Lone Star clears $11 bln in big fundraising year

Lone Star Funds cleared $11 billion in fresh capital raised this year, surpassing the $7.2 billion it raised in 2015.

The Dallas private investor in real estate, equity and credit recently closed its 10th flagship fund, Lone Star Fund X, with $5.6 billion in commitments. In April, it wrapped up fundraising for Lone Star Real Estate Fund V with $5.8 billion in commitments.

A spokesman for Lone Star declined comment.

On the acquisition front, Lone Star was reportedly bidding for Novo Banco SA of Portugal, which is up for sale by Bank of Portugal.

Among its other deals, Lone-Star-backed Forterra went public in October. The pipe producer debuted at $18 a share Oct. 21. In June, Forterra issued senior term loans to pay a $338.3 million dividend to Lone Star Fund IX, the company said in a filing.

Lone Star’s active fundraising

In 2015, the firm drew in $5.8 billion for Lone Star Real Estate Fund IV and $1.3 billion for Lone Star Residential Mortgage Fund I.

The firm has consistently pulled in roughly $10 billion in its more active years on the fundraising trail.

In 2013, it raised $12.1 billion via two funds, the $7 billion Lone Star Real Estate Fund III and the $5.1 billion Lone Star Fund VIII.

The firm didn’t list any funds raised in 2009 or 2011, but in 2010, Lone Star Fund VII raised $4.6 billion and Lone Star Real Estate Fund II drew $5.5 billion.

Lone Star remains under the leadership of Chairman John Grayken as well as André Collin, global president. Other senior executives include Sam Loughlin, president of North America, as well as Mark Newman, president of Asia.

Action Item: Contact Lone Star: InvestorRelations@lonestarfunds.com

A University of Texas cheerleader performs in front of a giant Texas flag draped on the UT Tower during the Hex Rally in Austin on Nov. 21, 2011. Photo courtesy Reuters/Julia Robinson