Top private equity news of the week

L Catterton, the consumer-focused private equity firm backed by LVMH, has acquired a majority stake in Oregon-based putter brand L.A.B. Golf in a deal valuing the company at over $200m, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The transaction represents one of the largest premium golf equipment investments in decades and signals growing private equity interest in performance-focused sports and lifestyle brands. It is the biggest putter acquisition since Callaway purchased Odyssey for $130m in 1997.

Harley-Davidson is reportedly nearing a deal to sell a substantial stake in its financing division, Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), to the private credit arms of Pimco and KKR, in a transaction valued at approximately $5bn, according to Bloomberg sources.

The potential agreement would cover HDFS’s current portfolio of motorcycle loans as well as rights to future originations, offering Pimco and KKR exposure to both the servicing platform and the underlying consumer credit. HDFS provides financing to Harley-Davidson and LiveWire customers, as well as inventory loans to dealers.

Read more here.

EQT has reached an agreement to acquire US-based human resources software firm Neogov in a transaction exceeding $3bn, including debt.

The deal marks a full exit for the company’s current private equity owners, with Warburg Pincus selling its majority stake and Carlyle divesting its roughly one-third holding. A formal announcement is expected in the coming days.