Petershill/Goldman Sachs: private capital seeks paradoxical public market boost

Petershill/Goldman Sachs: private capital seeks paradoxical public market boost

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Groucho Marx was suspicious of any “exclusive” club whose standards were so low he could join it. The UK’s dyspeptic long funds may have similar reservations about Petershill Partners. This offshoot of Goldman Sachs buys stakes in private equity groups and hedge fund managers. The investment bank plans to float Petershill, which may be worth about $5bn, in London. Anyone with a broking account will be able to buy shares previously only available to select Goldman clients.

The Wall Street bank will remain a gatekeeper in another respect by investing the capital of Petershill Partners in return for fees. These look generous, even though a minimum 7.5 per cent annual charge would be levied on income from investee companies, rather than on fund value.

Goldman, which is diversifying into asset management, will have earned its money if it uses its powerful network to make lucrative investments.

If you think that will happen, Petershill will be a worthwhile investment itself. If not, shrug and pass on. A stock market is a place to test business propositions. It is not a corporate Hall of Fame, though that is how