International Business Briefs | Kennedy Wilson to Go Private in $1.5bn CEO-Led Deal
•February 17, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
These moves illustrate how private equity, activist investors, and market volatility are reshaping capital allocation, corporate structures, and growth strategies across real estate, manufacturing, tech, and retail sectors.
Key Takeaways
- •Kennedy Wilson to go private for $1.5 bn, 10% premium
- •Genuine Parts splits into automotive and industrial groups in 2027
- •Liftoff Mobile cancels US IPO amid software stock rout
- •Jana Partners pushes Fiserv for share price recovery
- •Debenhams seeks £35 m equity raise to reduce debt
Pulse Analysis
The Kennedy Wilson transaction underscores a growing trend of CEO‑led take‑private deals in the real‑estate sector. By partnering with Fairfax Financial, the consortium can leverage both capital market expertise and operational insight, delivering a premium that rewards shareholders while positioning the firm for longer‑term strategic flexibility away from quarterly market pressures. Such deals often signal confidence in underlying asset quality and can catalyze similar moves among peer REITs seeking to streamline governance and focus on core investments.
Corporate restructurings driven by activist investors are gaining momentum, as demonstrated by Genuine Parts' decision to spin off its automotive and industrial divisions. Splits aim to create clearer valuation multiples, enable targeted capital allocation, and reduce the drag of underperforming units. The settlement with Elliott Investment Management illustrates how activist pressure can accelerate strategic realignment, delivering potential upside for shareholders while allowing management to concentrate on high‑growth segments. This approach is increasingly favored in sectors where diversification has obscured operational performance.
The broader capital‑raising environment remains volatile. Liftoff Mobile's IPO withdrawal highlights how a downturn in software equities can dampen investor appetite for high‑growth tech listings, prompting companies to reassess timing and valuation expectations. Simultaneously, activist Jana Partners' push on Fiserv reflects heightened scrutiny on legacy payment firms to innovate and improve margins. Debenhams' £35 m equity raise, aimed at debt reduction and liquidity enhancement, signals that even distressed retailers are seeking market confidence through transparent capital actions. Collectively, these developments reveal a market where strategic financing, activist influence, and timing are critical determinants of corporate success.
International business briefs | Kennedy Wilson to go private in $1.5bn CEO-led deal
Bengaluru — Real estate investment firm Kennedy‑Wilson said on Tuesday it will be acquired by a consortium led by its CEO William McMorrow and Fairfax Financial for about $1.5 bn.
Shares of Kennedy‑Wilson rose nearly 10 % in pre‑market trading after the company said the consortium would acquire all the outstanding shares it does not already own for $10.90 apiece in cash, representing about a 10.2 % premium to the stock’s last close.
The company said the deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026. (Reuters)
Genuine Parts agrees to split into two companies
Bengaluru — Automotive and industrial parts distributor Genuine Parts said on Tuesday it will separate itself into two independent companies, months after it reached a settlement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management.
The separation into two publicly traded companies — Automotive Parts Group and Industrial Parts Group — follows a settlement late last year with Elliott, the company’s largest active shareholder.
Shares of the Atlanta‑based company fell 7 % in pre‑market trading on Tuesday.
Activist investors have increasingly pushed companies to simplify corporate structures and shed under‑performing or non‑core divisions, arguing that leaner businesses unlock greater shareholder value.
The separation is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. (Reuters)
Liftoff Mobile suspends planned listing in US
Bengaluru — Blackstone‑backed Liftoff Mobile has filed to withdraw its initial public offering plans in the US, it said on Tuesday, after a rout in software stocks soured investor sentiment for new listings.
The company had postponed its planned public offering earlier this month, through which it was targeting a valuation of up to $5.17 bn and seeking to raise up to $762 m.
A recent sell‑off in stocks ranging from software providers to financial firms has threatened to weigh on a strong IPO market, leading issuers to trim valuations and postpone planned listings.
Wall Street broker Clear Street, which was initially seeking a valuation of as much as $11.8 bn, slashed its fundraising target by 65 % and pushed back its IPO last week.
Blackstone combined its portfolio companies Liftoff and Vungle to form Liftoff Mobile in 2021, which has grown rapidly under CEO Jeremy Bondy.
Liftoff provides mobile‑app developers with tools to acquire users and grow their businesses. The platform has about 1.4 billion daily active users worldwide. (Reuters)
Activist investor urges Fiserv to grow share price
Bengaluru — Activist investor Jana Partners has built a stake in Fiserv and is pressing the payments company to pursue steps to lift its lagging share price, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Shares of the company were up 6.5 % in pre‑market trading. The stock had slumped more than 67 % in 2025.
Fiserv did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reuters)
Debenhams plans £35 m equity fundraise to cut debt
Bengaluru — British fashion retailer Debenhams on Tuesday confirmed plans for a £35 m equity fundraise to boost liquidity and cut its net debt.
The board is in advanced talks with its lending syndicate to secure additional financial flexibility and expects to speak with institutional shareholders in the coming days before launching the fundraise.
Formerly known as the Boohoo Group, Debenhams has been cutting costs and reducing debt after supply‑chain challenges, weaker demand and increased competition from other low‑cost fast‑fashion brands hit profit.
CEO Dan Finley, co‑founder Mahmud Kamani and director Iain McDonald plan to participate in the share sale at 20 p per share.
The company said it remains confident of double‑digit adjusted core‑profit growth in financial 2027, with all brands now trading profitably on an adjusted earnings‑before‑interest‑taxes‑depreciation‑and‑amortisation basis and the fourth quarter showing improved gross merchandise‑value trends. (Reuters)
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