Private Equity Touchdown – How firms could be scoring big in the NFL

The US National Football League has recently enacted a new game plan the league passed a resolution in August to allow private equity investment into team franchises for the first time. With the average team valued at approximately USD 5bn, the new initiative presents big opportunities for investors. The new resolution is playing into an even larger trend: the creation of a new asset class of sports investing, with PE investments into the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins leading the charge. Furt...

European advisors need to consider narratives that can help clients unlock Chinese capital

European dealmakers need to consider national-security concerns, state subsidies to make deals happen Trumps second term likely to accelerate protectionist trends Advisors and consultants who want to help their European clients access Chinese capital need to work hard on narratives that emphasise industrial use cases while downplaying any national security concerns. The continent badly needs investment to rebuild its manufacturing base. At the same time, Chinese investors are thinking about depl...

M&A Tales - Companies vulnerable to hacks in post-close period

The post-closing period is when companies are most vulnerable to hacks. The deal announcement might have attracted the attention of malicious hackers at a time that large amounts of data are changing hands. Peter A. Emmi, partner and leader in the Technology Transactions practice within Reed Smiths Global Corporate Group has some clear advice for dealmakers: Do your homework and prepare well. Key steps include securing virtual data rooms (VDRs) and only using artificial intelligence (AI) tools i...

Trump's tariffs could drive Chinese M&A in Europe

Dealmakers in China and the countrys government are unsurprised by US President-elect Donald Trump's election victory and have been preparing for strategies to cope with his threats of tariffs. A strong protectionist stance from the US could fuel Chinese-led transactions in other regions like Europe and Southeast Asia, particularly in mid-market sector. From stimulus packages to increasing inquires about M&A opportunities, China has been prepared for this American political outcome. Ling Yan...

Leaks of confidential deal info in Australia attract regulatory scrutiny

Australias leaky M&A market is worrying market regulators. One of the most notorious examples came last year, during a deal involving Nitro Software, when a newspaper published the names of the regulators on Australias Takeovers Panel that were scrutinising the transaction. As a result of disclosures like this, both the Takeovers Panel and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have expressed concerns about drops of confidential deal information through backchannels. Sim...

Investors look for winners in Brazil

The US Federal Reserve might not have been thinking of Brazil when it cut interest rates by half a point in September, but the home of Pel has been an unlikely beneficiary of US dovishness. Lower interest rates meant US investors turned their attention to emerging markets equities and businesses. The result was a carnival of investment in Brazil just as the country was continuing to inch its way to investment grade status. Deal activity boomed throughout 3Q24. The increasingly liberalized sector...

French sponsors suffer performance anxiety in tough market

French private equity experts are facing performance anxiety as 2024 turns into 2025 at a time when PE exits have plummeted to their lowest level since 2013. At the same time, there is a fierce fight for quality assets, with trade buyers providing stiff competition to sponsors. And, to keep everyone on their toes, the exit market remains dogged by political uncertainty as a result of a hung parliament. A consultancy called Astek, which is backed by ICG, is an example of a PE-backed company with ...

US IPO market springs to life despite tense election

The Federal Reserves bumper half-point rate cut in September has opened an unexpected pre-election window for sponsors seeking to list portfolio companies in an IPO. Sponsors Carlyle Group [NASDAQ: CG] and Partners Group [SWX: PGHN] saw a window following the Fed cut and ran through it without a second thought to the next occupant of the White House, ahead of a 50/50 Presidential election on 5 November. Mergermarket's North American equity capital markets (ECM) senior reporter Cristiano Dalla Bo...

Latin America's growing commercial routes

In this episode, we talk about logistics in Latin America, where Brazil is taking the top position in M&A, with strong consolidation. Despite many challenges yet to be faced in the region, the South American nation is even taking advantage of nearshoring opportunities in Mexico. Joining Julie-Anna Needham is Priscilla Murphy, Mergermarket editor for Latin America based in Rio de Janeiro

US oil deals in focus ahead of elections

In this episode we discuss the potential impact of the US presidential election on the oil and gas sector. A second Donald Trump administration is generally expected to be friendlier to the sector, with most eyes set on who could be named chair of the Federal Trade Commission, which has recently increased its scrutiny of oil and gas deals. However, a Kamala Harris administration, and its possible restrictions of drilling in federal land, could ironically lead to more oil and gas M&A. Joining...

Green shoots in Japan

Japanese dealmakers have high hopes that the year will outperform 2023, based on solid volumes in the year to date. This is driven by a number of factors, including new government-led guidelines. We also look at an unusual case study - the ongoing Fuji Soft deal - as it continues to unfold. Joining Julie-Anna Needham is Raiha Mahmoud, senior reporter with Mergermarket

Path to APAC ECM recovery: a changing landscape

In this episode were heading to Asia Pacific region to delve into how APAC equity capital market has been performing with changing themes. When shall we expect for a HK/China deals recovery? Will the IPO boom in India last? What's the IPO outlook for the rest of 2024? Joining Julie-Anna Needham is Yiqing Wang who is the Managing Editor for Mergermarket APAC and Perris Lee, who is the Asia ECM Editorial Director for Mergermarket.

Green shoots in Europe

In this episode, we look at the post-summer pipeline for deals in Europe. The mood among dealmakers is cautiously optimistic in anticipation of interest rates continuing to fall. Joining Julie-Anna Needham is Rupert Cocke, senior editor for Mergermarket based in Barcelona.

Latin America – What to expect for 2H24?

In this episode we look at Latin Americas deal forecast for the second half of the year. On the spotlight, the regions two biggest economies and a key question: why is Mexico more optimistic than Brazil? Joining Julie-Anna Needham is Thiago Barrozo, Latin America editor for Mergermarket based in Sao Paulo.

Hollysys: The tortuous 3-year take-private

In this episode we look at how the tortuous three year saga to take a US listed Chinese company private ended successfully - despite the efforts of its own CEO. Joining J-A is Ed Vinales a Hong Kong based Public Markets M&A Editor.

US private credit market is booming

UK has opportunity to reinvigorate LSE IPOs following FCA reforms

Latin America – Travel and tourism industry is driving growth but where are the M&A opportunities?

Into the Matrix: Generative AI dealmaking heats up

Mergermarket's 1H24 M&A Report: Key Global Trends and Insights

1H APAC M&A and outlook

M&A Tales - In-house project management for deals

Spacetech hype falls to Earth but sector could still fly high

India’s IPL teams take page from Man Utd, Atlanta Braves' listing playbook but challenges abound

Booming Fintech Sector in LATAM

Turbulent public markets attract buyout interest

M&A anthropologists? Qualitative research to play growing role in ESG due diligence

APAC - Take-private frenzy heralds return of M&A confidence Down Under

Ecommerce in LATAM is booming

European nuclear energy ignites investment trend