Apax Partners has agreed to acquire specialty apparel retailer Rue21 (Nasdaq: RUE) for approximately $1.1 billion, or $42 per share (23% premium to yesterday’s closing price). Apax previously owned Rue21 before taking it public in 2009, and still retains nearly a 30% equity position. Its two directors on the Rue21 board recused themselves from board discussions and votes related to the deal. www.rue21
Del Monte Foods has acquired Natural Balance Pet Foods for an undisclosed amount. Del Monte shareholders include Centerview Capital, KKR and Vestar Capital Partners. Natural Balance backers included VMG Equity Partners. www.delmontefoods.com
Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF) and THL Partners are in talks to acquire Lender Processing Services (NYSE: LPS) for approximately $2.9 billion, according to the NY Times. The deal would be at around $33 per share (14% premium to yesterday’s closing price), with THL holding a 20% stake in LPS. www.lpsvcs.com
Audax Group has acquired Chesapeake Research Review Inc., a Columbia, Md.-based provider of independent institutional review board (IRB) services. No financial terms were disclosed.www.chesapeakeirb.com
Archer Ltd., an Oslo-listed oil services company, has agreed to sell its North American rental and tubular division to Clearlake Capital Group for $244 million. www.archerwell.com
Blue Wolf Capital Partners and Atlas Holdings have agreed to acquire a control stake in Twin Rivers Paper Co. from Brookfield Asset Management for an undisclosed amount. Twin Rivers is a specialty paper and lumber company with operations in Maine and Canada. www.twinriverspaper.com
Peak Rock Capital has acquired Atlas Paper Mills LLC, a Miami, Fla.-based maker of tissue products made of 100% recycled fiber. No financial terms were disclosed. Sellers include Palm Beach Capital. www.atlaspapermills.com
Temasek Holdings has paid $500 million for around a 10% stake in UK financial data provider Markit, according to Reuters. www.markit.com
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