An article published by the New York Times said that the Versace deal may not please investors. Versace valued itself at over EUR1 billion (USD1.36 billion), which is 14 times its current-year EBITDA at EUR70 million.

Japan's Toshiba Corp. and German real estate major Gagfah SAS entered a joint venture to sell energy directly to residents in Germany. The deal could bring in a revenue of USD184 million to USD233 million to the Japanese conglomerate.

ONGC Videsh Ltd, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's overseas arm, has bid for 3 out of 13 Sri Lankan oil and gas blocks in the Mannar basin.

State-backed sovereign fund Fondo Strategico Italiano is currently the leading bidder for a minority stake in Italian fashion company Versace. The possible deal is reportedly worth EUR850 million.

Italy-based Barilla family, the founders of the biggest company pasta in the world, have shelled out USD25 million to acquire a South Island dairy farm.

Italy's richest man Giovanni Ferrero said that chocolate company Ferrero SpA has no plans to go public or sell out to a bigger rival. Ferrero unveiled his company's vision to expand in Asia and the US in the next decade.

Russia's state-backed private equity investment fund and Italy's strategic state investment fund have agreed a deal to invest up to 1 billion euros ($1.35 billion) in companies and projects in the two countries, officials said on Monday.

The Wall Street Journal said private equity firms may soon be returning to Spain and Italy. The report cited data from Preqin and the information presented given by several sources.

Italian bank UniCredit said on Thursday that it may consider selling its indirect stake in professional football team Associazione Sportiva (AS) Roma, although no decision had yet been made.

European private equity group 21 Partners agreed to purchase French pharmaceutical manufacturing company Synerlab from premium independent private investment firm Ardian for an undisclosed amount.