Subject: RSCI news 8/9
From: "Sebastian Momtazi" <[email-masked]>
To: "Devon Archer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 13:39:30 -0400

BUSCH ENTERTAINMENT

Wall Street Journal 8/8
Theme Parks try to cater to 25-49 age range<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444226904577559643208896100.html>
Jim Atchinson, chief executive of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, says that the adults-only audience "is a very important market to us and we want to make sure we're appealing to that group".

Plastics Today 8/8
SeaWorld and Busch Gardens to eliminate plastic bags<http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/SeaWorld-and-Busch-Gardens-Parks-eliminate-plastic-bags-0808201202>
Park Gift shops will instead offer 100% recycled paper bags, and will offer reusable bags for sale. The move will eliminate about 4MM plastic bags a year.

ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS

Dallas News 8/7
Energy Future Holdings will terminate its employee pension plan<http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20120807-energy-future-holdings-to-terminate-employee-pension-plan.ece>
The plans will be scrapped, and instead employees offered lump-sum payments or annuities.

Businessweek 8/8
NRG sees reversal of Coal-to-Gas switch for Texas Power<http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-08/nrg-sees-reversal-of-coal-to-gas-switch-for-texas-power>
As gas prices rise in Texas, the transition from coal to gas in power plants seen in January is no longer being sustained.

Dallas Morning News 8/9
Energy Future Holdings to issue $750MM more debt<http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2012/08/energy-future-holdings-to-issue-750-million-more-debt.html>
In a filing with the SEC, EFH has said its units will issue $750MM more debt which will ultimately go into an escrow account, to be used for corporate purposes.

FISKER

Autospies 8/9
Chinese make major investment in A123<http://www.autospies.com/news/Chinese-Make-Major-Investment-In-High-Tech-Battery-Company-That-Supplies-Fisker-71950/>
An investment of up to $450MM from the Chinese firm Wanxiang Group Corp. could see the firm own up to 80% of the company which supplies batteries for Fisker.

HEALTHSCOPE

Sonic Healthcare 8/2
Sonic Healthcare to acquire Healthscope Australian Pathology Businesses<http://www.sonichealthcare.com/media/73897/hsp%20acquisition.pdf>
Sonic Healthcare's acquisition of the Healthscope Australian Pathoology businesses is anticipated to occur in September 2012.

NORTHERN TIER ENERGY

Northern Tier 8/9
Northern Tier reports Q2'2012 results<http://investors.ntenergy.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251295&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1724248&highlight=>
Net income is $246.6MM compared to a Q2'2011 net loss of ($42.1MM). There will be a conference call today at 2pm ET (dial in: 800 446 2782, passcode 33012770), which will be streamed live on www.ntenergy.com. The replay will be available on the company's website until August 15, 2012.

THE WEATHER CHANNEL

AppPicker 8/8
The Weather Channel releases iPad app<http://www.apppicker.com/app-review/the-weather-channel-for-ipad-top-100-app-reviews/>
The Weather Channel has released a new app for iPads.

The Weather Channel 8/2
Weather Channel announces its partnership with the TV series 'Tipping Points'<http://press.weather.com/press-releases/the-weather-channel-travels-to-the-far-corners-of-the-earth-to-explore-the-world-s-tipping-points/>
The Weather Channel is the global partner for the landmark television series which explores climate change.

PRIVATE EQUITY

Reuters 8/8
Private equity skeptical about tie up with Best Buy founder<http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/08/us-bestbuy-founder-deal-idUSBRE8771K220120808>
Several private equity firms are skeptical about the impending buyout of Best Buy proposed by its founder, Richard Schulze.

Private Equity Growth Capital Council 8/9
Private Equity activity rises in Q2 due to strong fundraising volume<http://www.pegcc.org/newsroom/press-releases/pe-index-private-equity-activity-rises-in-q2-due-to-strong-fundraising-volume/>
U.S. PE fundraising volume increased by $22BN this quarter. Equity contributions were 37%. Investment deal volume fell 8%. Exit volume declined 10%.

Wall Street Journal 8/8
Asia Private-Equity Investor Raises $1.52BN<http://blogs.wsj.com/dealjournalindia/2012/08/08/asia-private-equity-investor-raises-1-52-billion/?KEYWORDS=private+equity>
Asia Alternatives Management LLC claims to have raised $1.52BN to invest in PE across Asia, creating a large new source of capital in the region at a time when funding is scarce.