654 Departures: A Look at the LPL-Commonwealth Deal One Year Later
One year after LPL Financial’s $2.7 billion acquisition of Commonwealth Financial Network, 654 advisors—about 22% of the original 3,000—have departed for rival firms. Raymond James emerged as the primary destination, adding 145 former Commonwealth advisors, while independent broker‑dealers Kestra and Cambridge Investment Research also attracted talent. LPL has pledged to keep Commonwealth’s brand and culture intact, targeting retention of 90% of the firm’s assets, yet generous retention packages have not stopped many advisors from leaving. The exodus includes seasoned professionals averaging nearly two decades of experience, underscoring cultural and operational mismatches post‑merger.
Tech, Media & Telecom Roundup: Market Talk
Nvidia announced a $2 billion investment in Marvell Technology, cementing Marvell’s role as a strategic AI‑infrastructure partner and sending its shares up 6.6%. SpaceX filed for an initial public offering, marking the likely first of three major AI‑focused IPOs expected this...
KKR-Backed Varsity Brands to Buy Soccer.com and Lax.com
Varsity Brands, backed by KKR, announced the acquisition of online retailer Lax.com and Sports Endeavors, the parent of Soccer.com, World Soccer Shop and 431 Sports. The Sports Endeavors deal is valued between $300 million and $400 million, while the price for Lax.com was...
Apollo Acquires UK Rental Housing Platform Gatehouse Living Group
Apollo Global Management announced the acquisition of Gatehouse Living Group, a UK‑based rental housing platform that oversees more than 10,000 homes nationwide. The deal expands Apollo’s footprint beyond its U.S. multifamily holdings into Europe’s largest residential market. Gatehouse’s technology‑driven operations...
3650 Capital Provides $104M Pref Equity Injection Into $455M Acquisition
3650 Capital is injecting $104 million of preferred equity into a $455 million acquisition of a 1,495‑unit multifamily portfolio in the Chicago area, purchased by LaTerra Capital Management and Respark Residential from Aimco. The assets carry $308 million of Fannie Mae agency financing, which...
Grain Looking to Market 800 MHz for Direct-to-Cell
Investment firm Grain Management has acquired T‑Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum and 600 MHz holdings for about $2.9 billion, aiming to lease or sell the airwaves to satellite operators for direct‑to‑cell (D2D) services. The companies seek FCC waivers to suspend build‑out deadlines and allow...
Unico Expands Global Digital Identity Footprint with New Silicon Valley HQ
Unico, the Brazilian digital‑identity specialist, opened a new global headquarters in Menlo Park, marking its first U.S. base after a two‑year expansion that included acquisitions in Mexico, the UAE and the United States. The firm’s platform combines face‑biometrics with machine‑learning...
Intel to Repurchase 49% Equity Interest in Ireland Fab Joint Venture
Intel announced a definitive agreement to repurchase Apollo’s 49% equity stake in the Fab 34 joint venture for $14.2 billion. The buy‑back will be financed with cash on hand and roughly $6.5 billion of new debt, aiming to restore full ownership of the...
Steve Jones Takes Ownership of Skyview Networks In Buyout
Steve Jones has completed a buyout of Skyview Networks, the Scottsdale‑based audio technology and syndication firm he has led for seven years, assuming the roles of President, CEO, and Chairman. Founder Ken Thiele and key shareholders supported the transition and will...
Platinum Equity-Backed Cook & Boardman Picks up Systems Integrator Assurance Media
Cook & Boardman, backed by private‑equity firm Platinum Equity, announced the acquisition of systems integrator Assurance Media. The deal adds Assurance Media's expertise in security system integration to C&B's existing portfolio of access and security solutions. The transaction underscores C&B's...
Mapletree Sells 1.4M-SF Warehouse Portfolio to Dalfen Industrial for $208M
Mapletree Investments sold a 1.4 million‑square‑foot U.S. industrial portfolio to Texas‑based Dalfen Industrial for $207.5 million. The assets include 13 warehouses in Dallas‑Fort Worth, four in Chicago, and one each in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. This transaction is Mapletree’s fifth U.S. warehouse divestment...
Cohesity Talks up Post-Veritas Merger Strategy
Cohesity’s CFO Eric Brown outlined a three‑stage post‑merger strategy after acquiring Veritas’ data‑protection portfolio in February 2024. The plan began with a customer‑retention phase that unified sales teams and allowed partial down‑sells to keep Veritas clients. In fiscal 2026 the focus shifts...
Exclusive: Dhan Parent to Acquire Elevation Capital-Backed Infinyte Club
Raise Fintech Ventures, the parent of stock‑broking platform Dhan, is set to acquire wealth‑tech startup Infinyte Club in a 100% cash‑and‑stock deal valuing the company at roughly $13‑15 million. Infinyte, founded in 2023, raised over $3.6 million from Elevation Capital...
Bank of Hope to Buy SMBC Commercial Unit
Bank of Hope announced an all‑cash acquisition of SMBC Manubank’s California commercial banking unit, adding eight Southern California branches, roughly $2.5 billion in commercial and CRE loans and $2.7 billion in deposits. The deal, slated to close in the second half of...
Korsana Biosciences Announces Merger With Cyclerion Therapeutics, Concurrent $380 Million Private Financing
Korsana Biosciences announced a merger with Cyclerion Therapeutics, accompanied by a $380 million private placement. The financing round was led by Fairmount and Venrock Healthcare Capital, with participation from a slate of prominent venture and institutional investors. Cooley LLP represented the...
Rockwell, SLB Exit Oil, Gas Automation JV
Rockwell Automation and SLB announced the formal dissolution of their Sensia joint venture, created in 2019 to deliver digital automation solutions for the oil and gas sector. Under the split, Rockwell will assume full ownership of the Process Automation Business...
Amazon Acquires Swiss Robotics Company RIVR
Amazon has completed the acquisition of Zurich‑based RIVR Technologies, a spin‑out from ETH Zurich that builds four‑legged delivery robots. The robots can navigate complex environments, climb stairs and transport payloads up to 60 kilograms, extending Amazon’s physical AI and last‑mile...
Paragon Offshoot Korsana to Go Public in Reverse Merger for Alzheimer's Work
Paragon Therapeutics is spinning out its Alzheimer’s-focused unit, Korsana Biosciences, via a reverse merger that will list the company on a U.S. exchange. The deal, championed by Paragon co‑founder Jonathan Violin, merges Korsana with a publicly traded shell, providing immediate...
CLA Adds Tech Advisory Firm Answerport in Wisconsin
CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) announced the acquisition of Wisconsin‑based tech advisory firm Answerport, marking its first M&A transaction in almost a year. The deal, terms undisclosed, adds Answerport’s expertise in post‑deal IT integration, system carve‑outs, and ongoing operations. Answerport, known for serving...
CTM Outlander Acquires Masters Catalog of US Singer-Songwriter Matt Simons
CTM Outlander, a joint venture between Dutch CTM and US Outlander Capital, announced the acquisition of the master recording catalog of American singer‑songwriter Matt Simons. The deal covers Simons’ six albums, including the 2015 breakout hit “Catch & Release” (Deepend...
Aprio Acquires CAVU Advisors
Aprio announced the acquisition of CAVU Advisors, a Maryland‑based firm specializing in federal contracting advisory services. The deal adds CAVU’s expertise in Unanet, Deltek, and government‑market operations to Aprio’s integrated platform of accounting, tax, cybersecurity, and legal services. With the...
Billionaire Nelson Peltz Plans AI Makeover for Janus Henderson
Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has agreed to buy Janus Henderson Group for roughly $8 billion, or $52 per share, ending a brief bidding war with Victory Capital. The deal pairs Trian with tech‑focused investor General Catalyst, which will deploy its...
Molex Completes Acquisition of Smiths Interconnect
Molex has finalized its purchase of Smiths Interconnect, the largest deal in its history, adding ruggedized connectors, RF components and semiconductor‑test expertise to its portfolio. The combined company now operates more than 90 manufacturing sites across 22 countries and employs...
All Aboard: Dnata Completes Ground Handling Expansion in Italy
Dubai‑based dnata has completed the full integration of its Italian ground handling subsidiary, bringing all operations under the dnata brand. The move follows dnata’s 2025 acquisition of Airport Handling and expands its footprint to Rome Fiumicino, complementing existing Milan and...
Franklin Templeton Launches Crypto Division with 250 Digital Acquisition
Franklin Templeton is launching a dedicated cryptocurrency unit called Franklin Crypto, integrating the newly acquired 250 Digital team with its existing liquid crypto strategies previously managed by CoinFund. The division, led by former CoinFund executive Christopher Perkins, will focus on...
PharmaShots Quarterly Outlook: The Forces Reshaping Biopharma in Q1 2026
Q1 2026 biopharma saw a wave of mega‑size M&A, with deals like Boston Scientific’s $14.5 billion purchase of Penumbra and Eli Lilly’s $7.8 billion acquisition of Centessa, underscoring a strategic push for precision platforms. The quarter also delivered a string of rare‑disease approvals—Zycubo,...
Windjammer Snaps up Manufacturer PrecisionX
Windjammer Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of PrecisionX, a specialist manufacturer of high‑precision components. The deal follows Core's initial minority investment in February 2023, positioning Windjammer as the controlling owner. PrecisionX will join Windjammer's growing portfolio of advanced‑technology manufacturers....
Royal Agrifirm to Acquire Hamlet Protein
Royal Agrifirm Group announced on March 31 that it will acquire Hamlet Protein, a leading supplier of specialty soy‑based protein ingredients for young animal nutrition. The deal, expected to close within weeks pending customary conditions, adds Hamlet’s production sites in Denmark...
New App Lets Local Firms Swipe Right on Potential Buyers
Cringe, an AI‑driven matchmaking platform for CPA firms, launches on April 10, offering a free one‑year subscription to firms that complete profiles by April 14. The app surveys buyers and sellers, auto‑generates responses, and presents matches, aiming to streamline the crowded public‑accounting...
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ON24, Inc. shareholders approved a merger with Summit Sub Corporation, a Cvent subsidiary, on March 26, 2026, and the deal closed on April 1. The transaction converts each ONTF share into a cash payment of $8.10, equivalent to $810 per standard option...
Agile Robots Closes Acquisition of Thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering
Agile Robots completed the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering’s assets, rebranding the unit as Krause Automation. The deal gives the Munich‑based AI‑robotics firm a strong presence in Europe and North America and adds over 75 years of engineering heritage. By...
QXO Completes Acquisition of Kodiak Building Partners
QXO completed a $2.25 billion acquisition of Kodiak Building Partners, boosting its addressable market to over $200 billion. The transaction values Kodiak at roughly 10.7 times projected 2025 EBITDA and under a sales multiple of one, with synergies lowering the effective EBITDA...
Biopharma M&A Heats Up, Rare Diseases Win Three Approvals, Wave Crashes
Biopharma giants Biogen, Eli Lilly and Merck collectively spent over $20 billion in a single week to acquire biotech firms with approved products or promising pipelines, accounting for three of the year’s four largest deals. Merck bought Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 billion, while...
Brendan Carr Ignores The Law, Rubber Stamps More Right Wing Media Consolidation, Then Lies About It
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, approved Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna in a closed‑door vote, allowing the combined entity to reach 54.5 % of U.S. television households—well above the 39 % cap that previously limited market concentration. The...
Axsome Therapeutics Acquires Global Rights to Balipodect From Takeda
Axsome Therapeutics has signed an asset purchase agreement with Takeda to acquire worldwide rights to the PDE10A inhibitor TAK‑063, branded as balipodect. The deal provides Axsome with the ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize the drug for schizophrenia and Tourette...
McCormick Agrees to Acquire Unilever’s Food Business
The combination will create a company with approximately $20 billion in sales.
HIG Scoops up Aviation Security Services Firm GEG
Security services firm HIG announced the acquisition of aviation security specialist GEG from Swedish security giant Securitas AB. The transaction adds GEG’s airport screening and cargo inspection capabilities to HIG’s existing portfolio, expanding its footprint across major U.S. hubs. While...
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger: Reshaping the Rail Industry
Union Pacific has filed to acquire Norfolk Southern, creating the nation’s first true transcontinental railroad with over 50,000 miles of track across 43 states. The combined entity would control roughly 40% of U.S. rail freight, matching BNSF’s current market share....
A Group of Independent Restaurants Wants the FTC to Block Sysco-Restaurant Depot Deal
The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) has asked the FTC to block Sysco’s $29.1 billion cash‑and‑stock acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot. The coalition argues the deal would eliminate the only large cash‑and‑carry wholesale option that independent eateries rely on to avoid minimum...
A Century-Old Hardware Store Continues Under New Leadership
Paschal Brothers Hardware & Lumber, a Jacksonville staple since 1924, has been purchased by longtime vice president Corey Hunt and renamed Hunt Lumber & Supply. Hunt, who started as a floor sweeper in 1998, will lead the business under the...
MSIG Takes Stake in Ancileo to Win Asia’s Travel Insurance Battle
MSIG Asia has taken an undisclosed equity stake in Singapore‑based travel insurtech Ancileo, forming a regional partnership to accelerate travel‑insurance distribution across Asia‑Pacific. The deal pairs Ancileo’s B2B2C platform—designed for seamless integration with airlines, OTAs and other travel sellers—with MSIG’s...
What Does Saab’s Operations Shake-Up Mean for Its New ‘Naval’ Chapter?
Saab announced that its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions will merge into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026. The restructuring combines Kockums’ expertise in submarines, surface vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles with Naval Combat Systems’ combat management,...
Inox Clean Energy Completes Acquisition of Vibrant Energy
Inox Clean Energy has completed the acquisition of Vibrant Energy for an enterprise value of roughly ₹5,000 crore (about $600 million), adding a 1,337 MW renewable portfolio spanning five Indian states. The deal closed in a record four months despite a volatile global...
CoinShares Starts Trading on Nasdaq Stock Market
CoinShares PLC, the digital‑asset manager with over $6 billion in AUM, began trading on Nasdaq on April 1, 2026 under the ticker CSHR. The listing resulted from a business combination between CoinShares International, the SPAC Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp, and a newly...
Source Galileo Sells Norway Unit to Unitech
Source Galileo has sold its Norwegian subsidiary, Source Galileo Norge AS, to Unitech Energy Group, which will rename the entity Nordrenergi AS and relocate its operations to Haugesund. The transaction combines Nordrenergi’s renewable assets—including battery storage, high‑voltage technology, the Zephyros...
Keurig Dr Pepper Completes Acquisition of JDE Peet’s and Appoints CEO
Keurig Dr Pepper has completed its acquisition of 96.22% of JDE Peet’s, moving to split the combined business into two publicly traded companies. The coffee arm, encompassing Keurig, Jacobs, Douwe Egberts, L’OR and Peet’s, will generate roughly €14 billion (about $15.3 billion) in annual...
What the $65B Unilever–McCormick Deal Means—And Why Investors Are Wary
Unilever is merging its food division with McCormick & Company in a $65 billion Reverse Morris Trust that should close around mid‑2027. The British consumer‑goods group will receive $15.7 billion in cash and retain a majority economic stake in the combined entity,...
Hale Named as Real Estate:UK’s First Chief Executive
Vanessa Hale has been appointed the first chief executive of Real Estate:UK (RE:UK), the new industry body formed by merging the British Property Federation, Investment Property Forum and Association of Real Estate Funds. Hale joins RE:UK in July from her...
Plus Is Focusing on New Acquisitions After Costly Merger Years
Dutch supermarket chain Plus is shifting its strategy toward growth through acquisitions after years of merger‑related losses. The company posted a 2025 net loss of €56.2 million (approximately $61 million), up from €53 million in 2024, with €53.5 million of that loss tied to...
Spectator Made £6.6m Loss in Year Paul Marshall Paid £100m for Title
British weekly The Spectator posted a pre‑tax loss of £6.6 million ($8.4 million) for 2024 after Sir Paul Marshall’s Old Queen Street Ventures paid £100 million ($127 million) for the title. The 15‑month sale process cost the magazine £11.4 million ($14.5 million), turning a £2.6 million profit...