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Web Release
30-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Gulf Capital Successfully Exits ART Fertility Clinics' Middle East Operations Selling Its Stake to IVI-RMA Global, World Leader in Fertility and Assisted Reproduction.
Gulf Capital, one of the largest private equity firms investing from the GCC to the rest of Asia, announced today that it has sold its majority stake in ART Fertility Clinics' Middle East operations to IVI-RMA Global, the world's largest assisted reproduction group. The transaction is expected to generate a significant return on invested capital, making it one of Gulf Capital's most successful exits to date. Since its acquisition in 2020, ART Fertility Clinics has undergone a period of significant growth and transformation. Under Gulf Capital's ownership, ART expanded from a UAE-focused business into a regional fertility platform with 15 clinics, including 3 in the UAE, 1 in Saudi, and 11 in India. The scope of the transaction includes the clinics located in UAE and Saudi Arabia, while the India operation will remain under the ownership of Gulf Capital. In the Middle East alone, ART Fertility Clinics has delivered substantial revenue and EBITDA growth since 2020, with profitability quadrupling over the last five years. This strong financial performance has been underpinned by ART's reputation for clinical excellence, rapid regional expansion and some of the highest success rates in IVF treatments across the region. Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and CEO of Gulf Capital, commented: 'We are proud of the transformation we achieved at ART Fertility, scaling the platform from a single-country operator to the regional leader in reproductive medicine. Under Gulf Capital's ownership, ART Fertility invested heavily in science and research with 220 medical publications to date and launched a pioneering genetic testing lab in Abu Dhabi, leading to some of the highest IVF fertility success rates globally. ART Fertility's expansion and financial performance underline Gulf Capital's deep focus on operational improvements and growth. Following a competitive auction, the successful sale of the company to a global strategic buyer highlights Gulf Capital's ability to source, grow and exit healthcare platforms at very attractive multiples.' Suresh Soni, CEO of ART Fertility Clinics, said: 'ART Fertility has built a strong reputation for clinical excellence and world-class patient outcomes. Our success has been driven by our scientific rigor, a world-renowned medical team led by Prof. Dr Human Fatemi, and a deep commitment to providing the best-in-class care. With the support of Gulf Capital, we were able to expand successfully across the region and enhance our service offerings including adding in house genetic capabilities. We are excited to join IVI-RMA's global platform and to continue delivering on our mission and commitment towards the GCC community.' Hazem Abu Khalaf, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare investments at Gulf Capital, added: 'Our investment in ART Fertility is a clear example of Gulf Capital's ability to drive operational improvement and strategic growth in high-impact sectors. As one of the most vital and fast-evolving industries in the GCC, healthcare continues to offer both meaningful impact and long-term growth opportunities. ART Fertility stands as a testament to that potential. Over the past few years, we have helped build a business that combines scale, profitability, and clinical leadership – three elements that are often difficult to align. We are confident that ART Fertility is well-positioned for continued success in its next phase of growth under IVI-RMA's ownership and proud to have laid the foundation for its continued success in advancing specialized healthcare in the region' Gulf Capital and ART Fertility Clinics were advised by Moelis & Company as M&A advisor, and A&O Shearman as legal advisor on the transaction.
Zawya
30-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Gulf Capital successfully exits ART Fertility Clinics' Middle East operations
Abu Dhabi: Gulf Capital, one of the largest private equity firms investing from the GCC to the rest of Asia, announced today that it has sold its majority stake in ART Fertility Clinics' Middle East operations to IVI-RMA Global, the world's largest assisted reproduction group. The transaction is expected to generate a significant return on invested capital, making it one of Gulf Capital's most successful exits to date. Since its acquisition in 2020, ART Fertility Clinics has undergone a period of significant growth and transformation. Under Gulf Capital's ownership, ART expanded from a UAE-focused business into a regional fertility platform with 15 clinics, including 3 in the UAE, 1 in Saudi, and 11 in India. The scope of the transaction includes the clinics located in UAE and Saudi Arabia, while the India operation will remain under the ownership of Gulf Capital. In the Middle East alone, ART Fertility Clinics has delivered substantial revenue and EBITDA growth since 2020, with profitability quadrupling over the last five years. This strong financial performance has been underpinned by ART's reputation for clinical excellence, rapid regional expansion and some of the highest success rates in IVF treatments across the region. Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and CEO of Gulf Capital, commented: 'We are proud of the transformation we achieved at ART Fertility, scaling the platform from a single-country operator to the regional leader in reproductive medicine. Under Gulf Capital's ownership, ART Fertility invested heavily in science and research with 220 medical publications to date and launched a pioneering genetic testing lab in Abu Dhabi, leading to some of the highest IVF fertility success rates globally. ART Fertility's expansion and financial performance underline Gulf Capital's deep focus on operational improvements and growth. Following a competitive auction, the successful sale of the company to a global strategic buyer highlights Gulf Capital's ability to source, grow and exit healthcare platforms at very attractive multiples.' Suresh Soni, CEO of ART Fertility Clinics, said: 'ART Fertility has built a strong reputation for clinical excellence and world-class patient outcomes. Our success has been driven by our scientific rigor, a world-renowned medical team led by Prof. Dr Human Fatemi, and a deep commitment to providing the best-in-class care. With the support of Gulf Capital, we were able to expand successfully across the region and enhance our service offerings including adding in house genetic capabilities. We are excited to join IVI-RMA's global platform and to continue delivering on our mission and commitment towards the GCC community.' Hazem Abu Khalaf, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare investments at Gulf Capital, added: 'Our investment in ART Fertility is a clear example of Gulf Capital's ability to drive operational improvement and strategic growth in high-impact sectors. As one of the most vital and fast-evolving industries in the GCC, healthcare continues to offer both meaningful impact and long-term growth opportunities. ART Fertility stands as a testament to that potential. Over the past few years, we have helped build a business that combines scale, profitability, and clinical leadership – three elements that are often difficult to align. We are confident that ART Fertility is well-positioned for continued success in its next phase of growth under IVI-RMA's ownership and proud to have laid the foundation for its continued success in advancing specialized healthcare in the region' Gulf Capital and ART Fertility Clinics were advised by Moelis & Company as M&A advisor, and A&O Shearman as legal advisor on the transaction. About Gulf Capital Gulf Capital is an operationally focused private equity firm with over 19 years of investment experience from the GCC to the rest of Asia, one of the fastest growing investment corridors in the world today. Gulf Capital partners with dynamic entrepreneurs and exceptional management teams to provide them with growth capital, strategic advice, and operational expertise to build market leading global businesses. The Firm has a long and proven track record of investing in Growth Markets, having closed 45 investments since 2006. It currently manages over $2.4 billion in assets across seven funds and investment vehicles. As a thematic investor, Gulf Capital focuses on resilient, forward-looking sectors such as Technology and Fintech, Healthcare, Business Services, Consumer, and Sustainability. Its mission is to build value with world-class governance and ESG best practices, deep focus on operational improvements and sectoral expertise to generate sustainable and superior performance for its key stakeholders. For more information, please visit or LinkedIn @gulfcapital About ART Fertility Clinics Founded in 2015, ART Fertility Clinics is a globally recognized provider of fertility treatments, known for its clinical excellence, scientific research, and outstanding patient outcomes. The company operates across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India. About IVI RMA Global IVI RMA Global is a global leader in reproductive medicine, committed to delivering personalized, high-quality fertility care backed by science, technology, and compassionate care. Through its growing network of clinics, the company empowers individuals and couples to build the families they dream of—safely, effectively, and with unwavering support at every step. FOR MEDIA INFORMATION: Petra Consulting Randa Mazzawi +971 50 4506120 randa@
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Equity fund launches slow down in 2025 amid stock market uncertainty
Live Events Agencies Mumbai: Equity fund launches by mutual funds experienced a slowdown in 2025, following a blockbuster 2024, as uncertainty over the stock market outlook and losses in many of last year's new fund offerings dimmed investor appetite for fresh products. In the first half of 2025, ending June 30, mutual funds launched 29 open-ended equity schemes, mobilising ₹12,543 crore as against 37 schemes that collected ₹38,655 crore in the same period of 2024 and 44 that garnered close to ₹56,000 crore in the second half of last year, as per Association of Mutual Funds in India moderation in new fund launches this year, compared to CY 2024, could be due to the equity markets being relatively flat for the last 12 months, with increased volatility in the last few months, said Suresh Soni, CEO, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund."We may see the number of new funds, especially from older fund houses, taper off as they have completed the themes and strategies that they wanted to offer to investors," he the entire year, 2024 witnessed 81 equity new fund offers (NFOs) led by thematic funds , collectively garnering ₹94,548 crore, riding the bullish wave in the stock market till funds raised record money from investors through new fund offers (NFOs) in segments like defence, tourism, capital markets, energy, manufacturing, innovation, transportation and logistics, automotive, internet economy, realty, and many others. As regulations prevent fund houses from operating more than one scheme in each equity category, the industry has found a way around the rule by launching schemes based on various themes. Moreover, various mutual funds launched schemes to reward distributors, who often push investors to shift from products that investors held for a while to new equity funds that charge higher returns of many sectoral and thematic funds swinging wildly after the sell-off between October and March and the subsequent rebound, investors have been unnerved by the volatility, resulting in their demand for new products going Bagla, CEO of Trust MF, attributed the fall in NFOs to geopolitical challenges in the first half of this year. "The markets had turned volatile at the beginning of the year, which dented investor sentiment for some time. Also, slowing growth and Trump tariffs slowed the flows down a bit."In January-March of 2025, mutual funds saw 20 schemes raise ₹7,853 crore, while April-June saw nine schemes collect ₹4,690 crore. Muted returns have also made fund houses hesitant to launch new schemes. According to Value Research, the large-cap equity funds category delivered only 5% returns in the first six months of 2025, while the large-and-mid-cap category returned just 1%.Bagla said investor interest is likely to revive soon with newer mutual funds starting operations."There will a spate of sectoral and thematic fund launches by newer mutual funds," he said. "However, I expect the current year's mobilisation numbers to be a tad less than last year's as the current equity performance is not as strong as last year's."
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NFO Insight: Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund opens. Is it the right prescription for your portfolio?
Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund 's latest new fund offer , the Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund , is open for subscription and will close on June 23. This open-ended equity scheme will focus on companies expected to benefit from the rising demand in healthcare and wellness—an emerging megatrend both in India and globally. The fund aims to capitalise on the multi-decade structural growth story within the healthcare and wellness space. CEO comments on fund launch Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » 'Over the last century, average life expectancy in India has more than tripled. Across every life stage—from toddler to septuagenarian—there is a constant need and expenditure towards well-being. Given the low starting base of per capita healthcare spending, we view this sector as a multi-decadal opportunity offering promising prospects for investors,' said Suresh Soni, CEO, Baroda BNP Paribas AMC. Also Read | Lumpsum vs SIP: Is caution killing the case for lumpsum? CIO on fund launch Live Events 'India offers a $200 billion market cap opportunity with over 100 investible companies across pharma, diagnostics, Medtech, hospitals, insurance, and healthcare research,' said Sanjay Chawla, CIO – Equity, Baroda BNP Paribas AMC. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related instruments of pharma and healthcare companies. The fund will be benchmarked against the BSE Healthcare Total Return Index and will be managed by Sanjay Chawla. This thematic fund is suited for investors with an investment horizon of three years or more. It offers an opportunity to participate in India's growing health consciousness and invest in an evolving ecosystem of wellness-focused businesses. Sector Expected to Grow While India's current per capita healthcare expenditure is significantly lower than that of developed markets, it is expected to grow exponentially. Key drivers include rising affordability, increasing awareness, longer life expectancy, and a higher incidence of chronic diseases, according to a press release. Experts' Take on the New Launch Experts typically advise caution when it comes to investing in New Fund Offers (NFOs), unless the scheme offers something genuinely unique—such as access to an untapped investment theme or an enhanced proposition over existing options. Without a historical performance record, investors may find it difficult to make informed decisions. According to one expert, there are already over 10 pharma and healthcare-focused mutual funds available in the market. However, this new fund may adopt a distinct approach in terms of stock selection, portfolio construction, or focus on sub-segments like diagnostics, CDMOs, wellness, or healthcare services—potentially offering a fresh perspective within the broader theme. 'As with any new fund, it does not yet have a performance track record. So, while the investment philosophy might be compelling, it's sensible to monitor how the portfolio evolves and how the fund navigates different market conditions,' said Sagar Shinde, VP of Research at Fisdom, in a note to ETMutualFunds. Also Read | Mutual funds reduces overall cash allocation by Rs 6,200 crore to Rs 2.17 lakh crore in May 'There's no pressing need to rush into the NFO . Given the ample choices already available in this category with proven track records, it's better to wait, watch how this fund shapes up, and then consider it for investment based on merit,' Shinde added. Another expert shares a different opinion on this new fund as she mentions that Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund is not the first of its kind in India as several healthcare and pharma-focused funds are already in the market but what differentiates each fund is its investment approach, stock selection, and how broadly it defines the healthcare ecosystem—some include wellness, diagnostics, hospitals, and even health-tech platforms. 'Baroda BNP Paribas fund offers investors another opportunity to tap into India's growing healthcare story. It's worth considering for those looking to increase sectoral exposure, especially from a long-term perspective. Like any sectoral fund, it should be evaluated based on investment horizon, portfolio strategy, and alignment with personal financial goals,' Shruti Jain, Chief Strategy Officer, Arihant Capital Markets shared exclusively with ETMutualFunds. The minimum amount for lump sum investment is Rs 1,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. For Systematic Investment Plans with daily, weekly, or monthly frequency, the minimum SIP amount is Rs 500 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter; for quarterly SIPs, the minimum amount is Rs 1,500 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. The fund will allocate 80–100% in equity and equity-related instruments of companies in the pharma, healthcare, and allied sectors; 0–20% in equity and equity-related instruments of companies other than those in the pharma, healthcare, and allied sectors; 0–20% in debt and money market instruments; 0–10% in units of mutual funds (domestic schemes); and 0–10% in units issued by REITs and InvITs. Time to allocate in this sector? Shinde advises that in pharma, recent corrections have created better entry points, and the long-term structural drivers remain intact. Staggered investments can be considered. On the other hand, Jain mentions that pharma and healthcare remain strong thematic plays, particularly because they offer defensive qualities in uncertain markets. Given India's demographic trends—rising average age, increasing healthcare awareness, and lifestyle-related health issues—this sector is poised for long-term structural growth. 'Investors who do not currently have any exposure to this space may consider allocating around 10% of their total equity portfolio to healthcare and pharma funds. However, this should be done with a minimum 3–5 year investment horizon and as part of a well-diversified portfolio. A staggered investment approach (via SIP or tranches) can also help manage entry-point risk,' Jain advises investors. Apart from Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund, there are 16 funds based on the pharma and healthcare sector, of which 10 have a track record of three years in the market. ICICI Pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund offered the highest return of around 29.05% in the last three years, followed by SBI Healthcare Opp Fund , which has offered a 28.36% return in the same time period. LIC MF Healthcare Fund gave the lowest return of around 20.77% in the said period. With enough funds based on the sector and having a long performance track record, Shinde mentions that the outlook is neutral to positive overall but very constructive on hospitals and specialty pharma segments. While U.S. pricing pressure remains a concern, domestic demand, growth in chronic therapies, and export diversification are supportive. In the last three years, these funds have offered an average return of 24.72%, and in the last five years, they have delivered an average return of 21.93%, with up to 25.16% return in the last five years. LIC MF Healthcare Fund gave the lowest return in the last five years at around 17.40%. Jain believes that the long-term outlook for India's pharma and healthcare sector remains robust. Post-COVID, there has been a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour and government focus toward healthcare infrastructure, wellness, and preventive care. India's role as a global pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and growing domestic demand support the sector's earnings potential. 'While short-term volatility may persist due to regulatory changes or global market sentiment, the structural drivers remain intact. Innovation in biosimilars, rising export demand, growth in diagnostics and hospitals, and increasing insurance penetration further strengthen the investment case. As such, this sector offers a compelling mix of growth and defensiveness, making it a relevant thematic allocation for long-term investors,' she added. One should always invest based on their risk appetite, investment horizon, and goals. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) If you have any mutual fund queries, message ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@ along with your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NFO Alert: Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund launches healthcare and wellness fund
Baroda BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched its latest new fund offer – Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund , an open-ended equity scheme will focus on companies that are expected to benefit from the rising demand in healthcare and wellness—an emerging megatrend both in India and globally. The new fund offer or NFO of the scheme is open for subscription and will close on June 23. Also Read | 3 equity mutual fund categories lose up to 7% in 2025. Expert shares what went wrong Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo The fund aims to capitalise on the multi-decade structural growth story in healthcare and wellness space. While India's existing per capita healthcare expenditure is quite low compared to developed markets, it is expected to grow exponentially on the back of rising affordability, increasing awareness, longer life expectancy, and higher incidence of chronic diseases, according to a press release. "Over the last century or so, average life expectancy in India has more than tripled. Throughout the life stages from a toddler to a septuagenarian, there is a constant need and expenditure towards one's well being. Given the low starting base of per capita expenditure on healthcare, we see this sector as a multi decadal opportunity that seeks promising prospects for investors,' said Suresh Soni, CEO, Baroda BNP Paribas AMC. Live Events India is facing an alarming surge in chronic diseases. The incidence of cardiac ailments, diabetes, and cancer could grow by 34–41% this decade. This unfortunate trend reinforces the need for robust preventive and curative healthcare systems, creating fertile ground for investment. 'India offers a $200 billion market cap opportunity with over 100 investible companies across pharma, diagnostics, Medtech, hospitals, insurance, and healthcare research,' said Sanjay Chawla, CIO – Equity, Baroda BNP Paribas AMC. Also Read | Quant Small Cap Fund increases stake in Jio Financial Services, NCC and reduces in Aadhar Housing Finance The BSE Healthcare Index has consistently outperformed the BSE 500 TRI over the last 1, 3, 7, and 15 years, driven by stronger earnings growth. These gains span companies across all market caps—large, mid, and small, the release said. This thematic fund is suited for investors who have an investment horizon of three years or more. The fund offers investors the opportunity to participate in India's growing health consciousness and invest in an evolving ecosystem of wellness-focused businesses. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
