Investment Banking News and Headlines

Janus Launches Higher Risk-Return CLO ETF for Institutional Investors
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Janus Launches Higher Risk-Return CLO ETF for Institutional Investors

Janus Henderson has launched a new CLO exchange‑traded fund that targets AA to A‑rated CLO tranches, offering a modestly higher expected return than its existing AAA‑focused CLO ETF. The product is designed specifically for institutional investors seeking greater yield without...

By Creditflux
Private Equity Deals Hit $2.6T in 2025
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Private Equity Deals Hit $2.6T in 2025

Private equity deal value surged to $2.6 trillion in 2025, a 19% increase over 2024 and the second‑largest total on record. The total number of deals fell 9%, continuing a post‑2021 decline in transaction volume. Holding periods have stretched, with the...

By CFO.com
What the Market Knows That WACC Doesn’t
NewsFeb 19, 2026

What the Market Knows That WACC Doesn’t

The article introduces the market implied discount rate (MIDR) as a forward‑looking alternative to the traditional weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Using S&P Capital IQ data on the S&P 500, it shows that MIDR often diverges from WACC, with energy...

By CFA Institute – Enterprising Investor
Remitly Hires Santander Alum as Its Next CEO
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Remitly Hires Santander Alum as Its Next CEO

Remitly announced Sebastian Gunningham, a former Santander Consumer Finance chair with executive experience at Amazon, Apple and Oracle, will become its chief executive on Thursday. Co‑founder Matt Oppenheimer will transition to board chair as the company reported a strong 2025...

By Banking Dive
Protos Security CFO on the Convergence of Finance and Operations
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Protos Security CFO on the Convergence of Finance and Operations

Anthony Escamilla, CFO of Protos Security, says the modern CFO has morphed from a budget keeper into a strategic leader who oversees finance, data analytics, technology, risk and even operational functions. He highlights the accelerating pace of decision‑making, with stakeholders...

By CFO.com
Klarna Delivers $1bn Quarter but Shareholder Returns Take Beating
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Klarna Delivers $1bn Quarter but Shareholder Returns Take Beating

Klarna posted a record fourth‑quarter revenue of just under $1 billion, a 38% year‑on‑year rise, while gross merchandise volume hit $38.7 billion, up 32%. Active customers grew to 118 million, and the firm continued its push to become a full‑service bank. Despite the...

By City A.M. — Economics
JM Financial Launches ₹1,500 Crore Pre-IPO Fund Under SEBI-Approved AIF Category
NewsFeb 19, 2026

JM Financial Launches ₹1,500 Crore Pre-IPO Fund Under SEBI-Approved AIF Category

JM Financial Asset Management has launched a ₹1,500 crore pre‑IPO Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under SEBI’s Category II, marking its entry into the pre‑IPO investment space. The fund will invest in companies slated to go public within the next 18 months, leveraging...

By The Hindu Business Line — Markets
Macquarie Flags ESOP Costs, Revenue Concentration Concerns over PhonePe IPO
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Macquarie Flags ESOP Costs, Revenue Concentration Concerns over PhonePe IPO

Macquarie has highlighted two key risks in PhonePe’s upcoming IPO: elevated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) expenses that compress EBITDA margins, and a heavy reliance on a few revenue streams that could be hit by regulatory shifts. The broker estimates...

By Mint (LiveMint) – Markets
Loan Note: Carlyle’s Sidhu on the European Opportunity; Configure Highlights Mixed M&A Picture
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Loan Note: Carlyle’s Sidhu on the European Opportunity; Configure Highlights Mixed M&A Picture

Carlyle’s Taj Sidhu expressed optimism about Europe’s private‑debt market, citing strong borrower resilience and attractive financing conditions. He highlighted low‑interest‑rate environments and a growing pipeline of mid‑market deals as catalysts for continued asset growth. Meanwhile, Configure’s latest M&A snapshot described...

By Private Debt Investor
Freshfields Advising EBay's $1.2B Depop Purchase From Etsy
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Freshfields Advising EBay's $1.2B Depop Purchase From Etsy

eBay announced a $1.2 billion cash acquisition of Depop, the mobile fashion resale platform, from Etsy. Freshfields LLP is advising eBay, while Fenwick & West represents Etsy. The deal aims to strengthen eBay’s appeal to younger, Gen‑Z shoppers and expand its...

By Law360 — Mergers & Acquisitions
UK Raises Antitrust Concerns In Getty's Shutterstock Deal
NewsFeb 19, 2026

UK Raises Antitrust Concerns In Getty's Shutterstock Deal

Getty Images announced a $3.7 billion acquisition of Shutterstock, aiming to create a global leader in stock photography. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a provisional assessment that the merger could restrict the supply of editorial images in...

By Law360 — Mergers & Acquisitions
Digital Payments Rivalry: Paytm Leans on Merchant Edge as PhonePe Scales Volume, Say Brokerages
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Digital Payments Rivalry: Paytm Leans on Merchant Edge as PhonePe Scales Volume, Say Brokerages

PhonePe dominates UPI transaction volume with a 51% market share, while Paytm commands only 6% but leads merchant‑payment monetisation. Paytm’s merchant device network and loan services generate higher margins—about 9 basis points versus PhonePe’s 4—resulting in ₹38.6 billion revenue and ₹2.8 billion...

By The Hindu Business Line — Markets
Banks that Won on Deposit Growth in 2025 Got Boost From M&A
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Banks that Won on Deposit Growth in 2025 Got Boost From M&A

Regional banks with $10‑$100 billion in assets leveraged mergers and acquisitions to outpace the broader market in 2025, boosting core deposits by more than 8% versus the industry’s 4% average. The 27 midsize lenders that completed deals saw a collective 29%...

By American Banker
Brookfield Builds up Team Dedicated to 401(k) Opportunities
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Brookfield Builds up Team Dedicated to 401(k) Opportunities

Brookfield Asset Management announced the formation of a dedicated team to pursue 401(k) investment opportunities. The move follows a 40% increase in the firm’s private‑wealth capital‑raising last year, underscoring strong fundraising momentum. By targeting retirement‑plan assets, Brookfield aims to broaden...

By Private Equity International
TRADE Talks: Prescient Investment Management’s Cheree Dyers
NewsFeb 19, 2026

TRADE Talks: Prescient Investment Management’s Cheree Dyers

Prescient Investment Management’s Cheree Dyers argues that digital assets and tokenised instruments can boost capital efficiency and settlement speed, but only if they dovetail with existing custody, clearing and regulatory frameworks. She highlights that faster, near‑real‑time settlement reduces counter‑party exposure,...

By The TRADE News – Markets/Derivatives Trading
ISDA’s Amy Hong: ‘North Star’ Is Safe and Efficient Markets
NewsFeb 19, 2026

ISDA’s Amy Hong: ‘North Star’ Is Safe and Efficient Markets

ISDA’s new board chair Amy Hong reaffirmed the association’s 40‑year mission to keep derivatives markets safe and efficient, while charting a 2026 agenda focused on technology and regulatory alignment. She highlighted the continued push to finalize Basel III trading‑book rules and...

By Traders Magazine – Options/Derivatives
‘What We Don’t Want Are Bad Apples,’ DCALTA Founder Says
NewsFeb 19, 2026

‘What We Don’t Want Are Bad Apples,’ DCALTA Founder Says

Jonathan Epstein, founder of DCALTA, has spent over a decade lobbying for retirement savers to gain access to private‑fund investments. He argues that broader participation can boost portfolio diversification and returns for workers. On the brink of a major regulatory...

By Private Funds CFO
‘We Have some Work to Do’: Nasdaq Stockholm’s President on Losing Klarna to New York
NewsFeb 19, 2026

‘We Have some Work to Do’: Nasdaq Stockholm’s President on Losing Klarna to New York

Nasdaq Stockholm’s president warned that the exchange must act after Klarna chose a New York listing, a move that underscores growing competition from U.S. markets. Last year Nasdaq Stockholm and its Nordic peers captured 60% of Europe’s equity capital‑market activity,...

By Sifted
CFC Owners Said to Tap Banks for Sale, IPO of £5 Billion Insurer
NewsFeb 19, 2026

CFC Owners Said to Tap Banks for Sale, IPO of £5 Billion Insurer

Private equity firms EQT AB and Vitruvian Partners have engaged Evercore and Goldman Sachs to explore a sale or initial public offering of cyber insurer CFC, targeting a valuation around £5 billion. The advisers are assessing both London and New York as...

By Carrier Management
Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 2/16/2026
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Bloomberg: Leveraged Lending Insights – 2/16/2026

The US leveraged loan market opened 2026 with extraordinary vigor, posting $168.2 billion in new issuances during January—the strongest monthly total in over a decade. By mid‑February, activity slowed dramatically, with only $25.9 billion of new deals launched through February 18, the lowest...

By The Lead Left
The Pulse of Private Equity – 2/16/2026
NewsFeb 19, 2026

The Pulse of Private Equity – 2/16/2026

Technology private equity deal activity surged in 2026, with total deal value climbing 67.4% year‑over‑year while the number of transactions rose a modest 13.4%. The gap between value and count indicates that firms are executing larger, mega‑cap deals rather than...

By The Lead Left
Middlesex Water Co (MSEX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Middlesex Water Co (MSEX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Middlesex Water Co (MSEX) reported 2025 income from continuing operations of $191.4 million, a 5.7% increase year‑over‑year, while full‑year net earnings fell to $190.4 million due to the Everest spin‑off. The electric utility segment saw earnings decline to $64.9 million, whereas natural‑gas earnings...

By Motley Fool – Earnings Transcripts
Gentherm Inc (THRM) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Gentherm Inc (THRM) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Gentherm reported record $1.5 billion revenue for 2025, a 2.9% increase, and secured $2.2 billion of automotive new‑business awards, including $485 million in Q4. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $175 million (11.7% of sales) amid higher material costs, while operating cash flow rose 7% to...

By Motley Fool – Earnings Transcripts
Etsy Sells Secondhand Clothing Marketplace Depop to eBay for $1.2B
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Etsy Sells Secondhand Clothing Marketplace Depop to eBay for $1.2B

Etsy announced it will sell its second‑hand fashion app Depop to eBay for $1.2 billion in cash. Depop, which posted roughly $1 billion in gross merchandise volume and 7 million active buyers in 2025, was acquired by Etsy in 2021 for $1.62 billion. The...

By TechCrunch — Mergers & Acquisitions
Sprite to Issue $495 Million in Aviation ABS Notes
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Sprite to Issue $495 Million in Aviation ABS Notes

Sprite’s aviation securitization platform is launching a $495 million asset‑backed securities (ABS) program backed by lease contracts on 30 aircraft. The issuance comprises three fixed‑rate tranches with an anticipated repayment date in March 2033 and a final legal maturity in March 2041. World...

By Asset Securitization Report
Generative AI Reduces M&A Costs by 20%, McKinsey Says
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Generative AI Reduces M&A Costs by 20%, McKinsey Says

McKinsey reports that generative AI has slashed M&A costs by roughly 20% and accelerated deal timelines by 10% to 30%. The technology enables faster target identification, due diligence, and integration, especially amid geopolitical and supply‑chain disruptions. Bain finds one in...

By CFO Dive
Canadian Fintech Investment Down Nearly 75% Last Year, After Record-High 2024
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Canadian Fintech Investment Down Nearly 75% Last Year, After Record-High 2024

Canadian fintech investment plunged 75% in 2025, falling to US$2.4 billion across 113 deals, down from a record US$9.9 billion in 2024. AI and digital‑asset firms dominated the reduced deal flow, while later‑stage platforms attracted the bulk of capital. The three biggest...

By Financial Post — Finance
Judge Rejects FTC's Emergency Bid To Spare Merger Rule
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Judge Rejects FTC's Emergency Bid To Spare Merger Rule

A Texas federal judge denied the Federal Trade Commission’s emergency request to extend a seven‑day pause on its order that dismantles a sweeping pre‑merger reporting rule. The FTC now has until Thursday to seek relief from the Fifth Circuit Court...

By Law360 — Mergers & Acquisitions
SEC Proposes Amendments to Reduce Burdens in Reporting of Fund Portfolio Holdings
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SEC Proposes Amendments to Reduce Burdens in Reporting of Fund Portfolio Holdings

The SEC has proposed amendments to Form N‑PORT that give investment companies an extra 15 days to file their monthly portfolio reports and shift public disclosure from a monthly to a quarterly cadence. The changes also eliminate the “Names Rule”...

By U.S. SEC – Press Releases
Well-Regarded Public Finance Banker, Don Backstrom, Dead at 84
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Well-Regarded Public Finance Banker, Don Backstrom, Dead at 84

Don Backstrom, co‑founder of the municipal advisory firm Backstrom McCarley Berry & Co., died at 84 from cancer. He launched the Los Angeles‑based firm on his 61st birthday in 2002 and served as managing director through July 2025, then part‑time until his death. Backstrom’s career spanned...

By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
Northeast Issuers Juggle Crumbling Infrastructure, Increasing Costs
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Northeast Issuers Juggle Crumbling Infrastructure, Increasing Costs

Northeast public issuers are grappling with crumbling infrastructure, rising construction costs and a wave of federal funding cuts. Tariffs and buy‑American requirements are inflating bus purchases for NJ Transit, while the Gateway tunnel project remains stalled after a $205 million funding...

By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
Telecom Joint Venture To Pay $2.7B For UK Fiber Company
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Telecom Joint Venture To Pay $2.7B For UK Fiber Company

InfraVia Capital Partners, Telefónica and Liberty Global, through their Nexfibre joint venture, announced a $2.7 billion acquisition of Substantial Group, the United Kingdom’s second‑largest alternative fiber provider. The deal merges private‑equity capital with telecom expertise to expand Nexfibre’s footprint in the...

By Law360 — Mergers & Acquisitions
Scope Ratings Seeks Distinction by Incorporating Europe's Differences
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Scope Ratings Seeks Distinction by Incorporating Europe's Differences

Scope Ratings became the first European rating agency approved under the ECB's Eurosystem Credit Assessment Framework, allowing its ratings to be used as collateral in monetary‑policy operations. The firm differentiates itself by embedding the EU’s fragmented legal and market environments...

By Asset Securitization Report
Omnicom Swings to $941M Q4 Loss After Closing IPG Deal
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Omnicom Swings to $941M Q4 Loss After Closing IPG Deal

Omnicom reported a $941.1 million GAAP loss for Q4 2025, the first quarter after completing its $15 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group. Revenue surged 27.9% year‑over‑year to $5.5 billion, and adjusted EBITA reached $928.9 million with a 16.8% margin. The company doubled its cost‑synergy goal...

By Adweek
Corpus Christi to Tap Future Bond Proceeds for Water Project Costs
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Corpus Christi to Tap Future Bond Proceeds for Water Project Costs

The Corpus Christi City Council approved a resolution to tap up to $410 million in future water revenue bonds, slated for issuance as late as 2027, to reimburse current cash outlays for critical water‑supply projects. The plan funds a $175 million containerized...

By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
PFM Partners up with DebtBook
NewsFeb 18, 2026

PFM Partners up with DebtBook

PFM announced a partnership with DebtBook to embed artificial‑intelligence capabilities into public‑sector treasury operations, leveraging PFM's Synario financial‑modeling platform alongside DebtBook's debt‑management suite. The alliance aims to automate cash‑flow, leasing and investment tracking, freeing municipal finance teams to focus on...

By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
You Can Invest in SpaceX Before Its IPO — but Should You?
NewsFeb 18, 2026

You Can Invest in SpaceX Before Its IPO — but Should You?

Investors can now gain exposure to SpaceX through private secondary markets, specialty ETFs and pooled funds, sidestepping the wait for a public listing. The rocket company is valued at roughly $1.25 trillion, making it one of the most coveted private assets....

By MarketWatch – Top Stories
Caturus Energy Advances LNG Business Through $950-Million Asset Deal with SM Energy
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Caturus Energy Advances LNG Business Through $950-Million Asset Deal with SM Energy

Caturus Energy announced a $950 million purchase of SM Energy’s Galvan Ranch assets, adding about 61,000 net acres and 250 MMcfed of daily gas production in Webb County, Texas. The acquisition lifts Caturus’s pro‑forma net output to roughly 950 MMcfed across 275,000 acres,...

By Oil & Gas Journal – General Interest
Press Release: Eaton Square’s Silicon Creates Partnership with Klear to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Press Release: Eaton Square’s Silicon Creates Partnership with Klear to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Australian‑founded Eaton Square announced that its Silicon subsidiary will integrate with U.S. capital‑intelligence firm Klear, creating a unified solution for sourcing, financing and managing critical minerals. The combined platform leverages AI to provide end‑to‑end operational and treasury visibility, offering verified...

By Treasury Today
Press Release: Millions in Losses Drive Return to FX Protection in 2026
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Press Release: Millions in Losses Drive Return to FX Protection in 2026

MillTech’s Q4 2025 Corporate Hedging Monitor shows UK corporates lost an average £6.71 million and US firms $9.85 million in 2025 due to unhedged foreign‑exchange exposure. Eighty percent of surveyed firms reported losses, prompting a rebound in hedging activity as average hedge ratios...

By Treasury Today
OCC Conditionally Approves Stripe Subsidiary Bridge for Trust Charter
NewsFeb 18, 2026

OCC Conditionally Approves Stripe Subsidiary Bridge for Trust Charter

Stripe’s subsidiary Bridge received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter. The license would allow Bridge to issue stablecoins, custody digital assets, and manage reserves under OCC oversight. The decision...

By Banking Dive
Side Letter: Going Nuclear
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Side Letter: Going Nuclear

The article examines three distinct private‑equity themes. First, Germany’s nuclear waste management fund is highlighted for its ability to maintain financial stability despite shifting regulatory pressures. Second, the Swiss‑based SBCERA fund faces near‑term return volatility due to heightened private‑equity exposure....

By Private Equity International
Digital Savings Startup Vestwell Lands $385M, Doubles Valuation
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Digital Savings Startup Vestwell Lands $385M, Doubles Valuation

Vestwell, the New York‑based digital savings platform, closed a $385 million Series E round led by Blue Owl Capital and Sixth Street Growth, pushing its valuation to $2 billion—double its prior level. The fintech now reports annual recurring revenue above $200 million, serving more...

By Crunchbase News
Glencore Doubles Down on Copper, Keeps M&A in Play
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Glencore Doubles Down on Copper, Keeps M&A in Play

Glencore has secured a land‑access agreement with Gecamines that extends the Kamoto Copper Company’s mine life into the mid‑2040s and unlocks additional ore zones, enabling the asset to target 300,000 tonnes of copper annually. The deal is a cornerstone of...

By MINING.com
Gallagher Brings Woodruff Sawyer Under Brand in $1.2bn Deal
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Gallagher Brings Woodruff Sawyer Under Brand in $1.2bn Deal

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has completed the integration of Woodruff Sawyer, fully bringing the specialist broker under the Gallagher brand after a $1.2 billion acquisition. The move adds Woodruff Sawyer’s $268 million pro‑forma revenue and $88 million EBITDAC, along with its 14...

By Fintech Global
SBI Funds Management Plans $1.5 Billion IPO in March
NewsFeb 18, 2026

SBI Funds Management Plans $1.5 Billion IPO in March

India’s largest asset manager, SBI Funds Management, is preparing to file a draft prospectus for an IPO in March that could raise up to $1.5 billion, targeting a valuation near $15 billion. The offering would represent roughly a 10% stake held jointly...

By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
French VC Quantonation Raises €220 Million for Flagship Quantum and Deep-Physics Fund
NewsFeb 18, 2026

French VC Quantonation Raises €220 Million for Flagship Quantum and Deep-Physics Fund

Quantonation Ventures closed its second flagship fund at €220 million, making it the world’s largest dedicated quantum‑investment vehicle by assets under management. The round attracted both returning backers such as Vertex Holdings and new limited partners including the European Investment Fund,...

By EU-Startups
Extens-Backed Orthalis Picks up Dentalsoft
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Extens-Backed Orthalis Picks up Dentalsoft

Orthalis, backed by private equity firm Extens, announced the acquisition of Dentalsoft, a specialist orthodontic software provider. The purchase creates a new entity, SignalSoft Développement, focused on delivering software services to orthodontic professionals. By integrating Dentalsoft’s tools, Orthalis expands its...

By PE Hub
Yangzijiang Maritime to Hold EGM on Mar 6 on Proposed Share Buyback
NewsFeb 18, 2026

Yangzijiang Maritime to Hold EGM on Mar 6 on Proposed Share Buyback

Yangzijiang Maritime announced an extraordinary general meeting on 6 March to seek approval for a share‑buyback program covering up to 10% of its issued stock, roughly 348.9 million shares. The company set price caps of 105% for on‑market purchases and 120% for...

By The Business Times (Singapore) – Companies & Markets