More than half of private equity investors have seen their annual net returns from the asset class fall to 10 per cent or less, as the financial crisis has taken its toll says an article in the Financial Times.

'Controversial new rules for hedge fund and private equity fund managers operating in Europe are moving forward after winning the backing of European Union finance ministers' as per the Financial Times. There are still significant differences in the two sets of draft regulations, but meetings are expected to take place with the intention of resolving the issues before August 2010.

'In the world of luxury goods, the ocean-going motor yachts that fill the harbor at Monaco every summer have to be the ultimate symbol of lavish excess' says an article in the Financial Times. Private equity investors are still injecting fresh equity in luxury yacht brands and the most recent deal involved a £25m injection into Sunseeker, one of the best-known luxury yacht brands.

London's Mayfair hotel played host to 70 investors gathered for a chance to meet the UK and Ireland's 30 hottest technology start-ups says a Financial Times article. The UK and Ireland Tech Tour is a two-day speed-dating event that introduces young technology companies in need of money to potential investors.

'US Congress is considering removing certain tax perks that have helped inflate the private equity bubble' says The Economist. The legislation in question is the 'American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010' and the change is set to impact the treatment of 'carried interest'.

'Trade with Europe, source of almost a third of Saudi imports and destination of 10.6% of exports, could get slightly shaken by debt woes, but impact on trade remains minimal' says a report by Banque Saudi Fransi on concerns over Greece's debt crisis.