Today's Private Equity Pulse
Blackstone closes $13.1B Asia fund, its biggest ever
Blackstone announced the closing of its third Asia private‑equity vehicle, Blackstone Capital Partners Asia III, at $13.1 billion, surpassing its $10 billion target and more than doubling the capital of its predecessor. The fund is the firm’s largest Asia‑focused raise and Blackstone has deployed over $7 billion across 12 deals in the region in the past two years.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Metatron Private Equity acquires Green Circuits Inc.
Havencrest Capital Invests in OFFOR Health, Adding to Healthcare Services Portfolio
Havencrest Capital has made a private‑equity investment in OFFOR Health, a healthcare‑services provider, as listed in a JD Supra deal tracker. The transaction, whose financial terms were not disclosed, signals the firm’s ongoing focus on expanding its health‑care portfolio.
White Claw Parent Mark Anthony Group Buys Celebrity‑backed Finnish Long Drink
Mark Anthony Group, the private equity firm behind White Claw, announced the acquisition of The Finnish Long Drink, a Finnish‑inspired ready‑to‑drink brand backed by Miles Teller, DJ Kygo and Rickie Fowler. The deal aims to broaden the group’s RTD portfolio amid...
Google's 6.1% SpaceX Stake Could Be Worth $122 Billion in $2 Trillion IPO
Alphabet's Google unit holds about 6.11% of SpaceX, a stake that Bloomberg values at roughly $122 billion on a projected $2 trillion IPO price. The potential listing, slated for June, could raise as much as $75 billion, making it one of the largest...
Fifth Third Posts 33% Revenue Rise, CFO Preston Details Comerica Financing
Fifth Third Bank posted a 33% jump in Q1 2026 revenue to $2.9 billion and adjusted earnings of $734 million, while CFO Bryan D. Preston explained how the bank is financing the $12 billion Comerica acquisition. The results highlight integration costs, strong loan...
Partial Payments Can Benefit Sellers in Deal Making
Why You Might Not Get Paid in Full When You Sell. And how that can actually work in your favor. https://t.co/1vSKngiMGR #SmallBusiness & Deal Making #SMB
'It's Just Scale': Local Mom-and-Pop Car Dealerships Are Growing or Dying Amid Industry Consolidation, Rise of Mega-Retailers
Family‑owned Sylvester Chevrolet in rural Pennsylvania was sold to New York‑based Matthews Auto Group, marking another deal in a wave of dealership consolidation. The top 150 U.S. dealers now account for 27% of new‑vehicle sales, up from 24.3% in 2021, while...
EQT Warns of Exit Risks for Alternative Energy Assets Held by PE
EQT AB warns that private‑equity firms are hitting a wall when trying to exit clean‑energy developers and operators, which have ballooned from 1‑2 GW to as much as 8 GW of assets. Traditional buyers can no longer absorb such scale, and IPOs...
California Unions Press CalPERS for Private‑Equity Disclosure Under New Sunshine Act
A coalition of California unions has urged the state’s public‑pension system, CalPERS, to disclose detailed private‑equity holdings under Senate Bill 1319, the “Private Equity Sunshine Act.” The bill cleared a Senate committee with bipartisan backing, while industry groups warn the...
Federal Judge Halts Nexstar's $6.2 Billion Tegna Takeover Pending Antitrust Trial
Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley issued a preliminary injunction that bars Nexstar Media Group from integrating Tegna’s 65 stations until an antitrust lawsuit by eight state attorneys general and DirecTV is resolved. The $6.2 billion deal would give Nexstar control of...
Maase Inc. Completes $152 Million Huazhi Group Deal, Stock Jumps 32%
Maase Inc. finalized the acquisition of China’s Huazhi Group for roughly $152 million, issuing 87.4 million Class A shares and paying cash. The deal propelled the Nasdaq‑listed stock up more than 31% to $9.84, underscoring investor appetite for the company’s AI‑focused pivot.
Stripe Walks Away From $1.2B Airwallex Deal, Sparks Direct Rivalry
Stripe abandoned a $1.2 billion bid to acquire Airwallex, prompting the Melbourne‑based fintech to double down on its own global expansion. The split turns two former collaborators into head‑to‑head rivals in the cross‑border payments arena.
Paramount‑Skydance Merger Looms as Theater Owners Test New Revenue Models
Paramount Pictures and Skydance are poised to close a merger that would combine the studio with Warner Bros., a prospect that dominated discussions at CinemaCon. Theater owners used the conference to showcase experimental revenue streams—from pop‑up discount days to repurposed...
Chelsea's Private Equity Takeover Sparks Losses, Fan Backlash
Big losses and grumbling fans: how Chelsea’s private equity revolution ran into trouble via @FT and @SamuelAgini https://t.co/N1jgbUiPka
Precision Aerospace Files Amended S‑4 for SPAC Merger with FACT II
Precision Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc. and SPAC sponsor FACT II Acquisition Corp. announced today that they have filed an amended registration statement on Form S‑4 with the SEC. The amendment updates the prospectus for the proposed business combination that...
MPE Partners and SKB Cases Acquire Nanuk, Boosting Specialty‑Case Portfolio
MPE Partners, the Morgenthaler Private Equity firm, and its portfolio company SKB Cases announced the acquisition of Nanuk Protection Equipment Inc., a Quebec‑based maker of high‑end injection‑molded protective cases. The transaction, financed by Apogem Capital, positions the combined platform to...
Trump Visa Curbs Derail Student Lender's Securitization Push
Student lender Mpower Financing, backed by Tilden Park Capital and King Street, postponed a $250 million asset‑backed securities offering after investors grew wary of Trump administration visa restrictions that have slashed its international student pipeline. The bond, to be underwritten by Goldman Sachs, would...
Bain Capital Sells Korea Zinc Stake to Meritz for $350 Million, Reshaping Shareholder Alliances
Bain Capital has sold its entire Korea Zinc stake to Meritz Securities for 514.1 billion won ($350 million), triggering a reshuffle of the contested shareholder bloc backing the smelter’s chairman. The deal comes as Hanwha Group eyes a $1.7 billion exit amid a...
UCB to Acquire Neurona Therapeutics for Up to $1.15 Billion, Boosting Epilepsy Portfolio
Belgian biopharma UCB announced a deal to buy U.S.‑based Neurona Therapeutics for up to $1.15 billion, with $650 million paid upfront and up to $500 million in milestones. The acquisition strengthens UCB’s epilepsy franchise and is expected to lift adjusted EBITDA into the...
International Paper to Buy NORPAC for $360 Million, Boosting West Coast Capacity
International Paper announced a $360 million deal to acquire North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) from One Rock Capital Partners. The Longview, Washington mill adds roughly one million tons of containerboard capacity and will broaden IP’s recycled packaging portfolio in the western...
American Airlines Rejects United Merger Talk: ‘Not Interested’
American Airlines publicly rejected United Airlines' merger proposal, stating it is not interested in any discussions and highlighting antitrust concerns. United CEO Scott Kirby had recently pitched the idea to senior U.S. government officials, arguing it could boost the United...
Sazerac Prepares $15 Billion Cash Offer for Maker of Jack Daniel’s
Sazerac, the Louisville‑based spirits producer, is preparing an all‑cash offer to acquire Brown‑Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s, at a valuation of roughly $15 billion. The cash bid is intended to be more straightforward for sellers than a mixed cash‑stock proposal....
Pat McGrath Labs Exits Bankruptcy With a New Owner
Pat McGrath Labs has emerged from Chapter 11 after a U.S. judge approved a restructuring that places Florida‑based GDA Luma in control. The firm provided a $30 million bankruptcy financing package, while founder Pat McGrath returned as chief creative officer. The brand, once...
REPAY Confirms Receipt of Unsolicited, Non-Binding Proposal From Forager Capital Management
Repay Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: RPAY) disclosed that it has received an unsolicited, non‑binding cash offer from shareholder Forager Capital Management to acquire all outstanding shares at $4.80 per share. The board will review the proposal with financial and legal advisors,...
Thompson Street Capital Partners Exits Data Dimensions in Deal with One Call
Thompson Street Capital Partners announced the sale of its portfolio company Data Dimensions to One Call, a technology‑enabled leader in workers' compensation services. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal integrates Data Dimensions' EDI clearinghouse capabilities into One Call's...
HR Path Acquires Brazil's GDT Brasil to Bolster Global HR Consulting Footprint
HR Path announced the acquisition of GDT Brasil, a Brazilian management and strategy consultancy, expanding its presence to 29 countries and over 2,600 professionals. The deal deepens HR Path's service offering in change management and human‑capital strategy, building on its...
Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund Scraps Cerity Partners over Private Equity Concerns
The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF), which oversees a $13.8 billion portfolio, halted its selection of Verus Investments after Cerity Partners acquired Verus in February. Trustees voted to reject Cerity because its private‑equity owners—Genstar Capital, Warburg Pincus and Lightyear Capital—pose reputational and...
What Is a Business Exit Strategy
The Tiger 21 guide defines a business exit strategy as a comprehensive roadmap for transferring ownership while maximizing financial return and aligning with personal, family, and philanthropic goals. It outlines five primary paths—mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, private‑equity sales, generational...
Finding a Buyer Who Values Your Legacy
In this episode Jacob Oros interviews Ibrahim Abdel Rahim of Moonbase Capital about the world of search funds, focusing on how searchers—often duos of MBA‑educated operators—identify and acquire lower‑middle‑market businesses with 1‑5 million € EBITDA. Ibrahim explains Moonbase’s investment model, typically funding...
African American-Focused Radio Pair Are Sold
An asset purchase agreement has been filed to transfer ownership of two AM radio stations and their associated FM translators, both serving African American audiences. The buyer has signaled that programming will remain unchanged, preserving the stations' current format. The...
Arxis: Critical (Aerospace) Provider Flies Off
Arxis debuted on the NYSE with a 39% first‑day jump, pushing its market cap to roughly $17 billion. The company follows a TransDigm‑style roll‑up model, targeting mission‑critical aerospace components through acquisitions, pricing leverage, and operational efficiencies. Despite the lofty valuation—about 10×...
Zee Entertainment Announces Strategic Investment in PhantomFX
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. announced a strategic investment of up to Rs 116 crore (about $1.4 billion) in visual‑effects studio Phantom Digital Effects Ltd. (PhantomFX) via convertible debentures, pending shareholder approval. The partnership gives Zee access to PhantomFX’s U.S. and UK studios, AI‑driven...
Leaving Top PE for Independent Deals: High Risk, Higher Reward
How risky is it really to leave a top-paying PE firm to become an independent sponsor and buy a $2-10M EBITDA business yourself? (Think of people working at Warburg Pincus, Vista Equity, KKR, Bain, Carlyle, TPG, Hellman & Friedman, Apollo.) I read...
BESS Attractiveness for M&A Explored at Energy Summit
VIDEO – Energy Storage Summit 2026: How attractive is BESS for M&A? #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/AAtsgcK6vP
Truist CEO Defends Bank’s Growth Plans
Truist CEO Bill Rogers defended the bank’s growth strategy during the Q1 earnings call, emphasizing that mergers and acquisitions are not a priority. The bank announced a new long‑term return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) target of 16%‑18%, up from...
HYBE, SM, JYP, YG Form Joint Venture to Launch Global K‑Pop Festival “Phenomenon”
HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment have filed a joint venture with the Korea Fair Trade Commission to create a new corporation that will produce the global K‑Pop festival “Phenomenon.” Led by J.Y. Park, the venture plans a...
Lexington Leads MetLife’s $1bn Managed Fund Deal
MetLife has enlisted Lexington to lead a new $1 billion managed‑fund vehicle, tapping Evercore to market a $1.8 billion portfolio dubbed Project Trident. The initiative marks MetLife’s aggressive entry into the private‑equity secondary market, leveraging Lexington’s fund‑management expertise. Evercore’s advisory role aims to...
#58789
European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) shareholders will vote on May 7, 2026 to approve a merger with a subsidiary of Glow Midco, an affiliate of General Atlantic. If approved, each EWCZ Class A share converts to a right to receive $5.80 in cash,...
International Paper to Acquire North Pacific Paper Co. For $360M
International Paper announced a $360 million acquisition of North Pacific Paper Co., a Washington‑based mill that produces about 1 million tons of containerboard annually. The Norpac facility, employing roughly 500 workers, will be folded into IP’s existing packaging and recycling network, enhancing West...
Pollen Street Builds GP-Led Strategy Targeting Mid-Market Deals
Pollen Street Capital is rolling out a GP‑led secondary strategy aimed at mid‑market financial‑services assets. The firm appointed Mark McDonald, former co‑head of sponsor solutions at Brookfield, to spearhead the new platform. McDonald brings deep experience in structuring GP‑led transactions...
Mundi Ventures Reaches First Close of $100M LatAm Fund
Spanish venture capital firm Mundi Ventures announced the first close of its LatAm Fund I, a $100 million vehicle dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean. The fund has already secured commitments from BID Invest, Cofides and two regional financial groups....
AT&T Leads as Top Buyer for NextNav, Shares up 24%
"with AT&T the most logical fit, but SpaceX and Verizon Communications are also credible buyers of NextNav" NextNav shares have gained nearly 24% so far this year, https://t.co/FXVYWITgRW
Is Private Equity Fundraising Opening a New Chapter?
Buyouts’ Q1 report shows a rebound in North American private‑equity fundraising, marking the first notable uptick after a sluggish 2023. The data indicate higher capital commitments from limited partners and a quicker pace of fund deployment. Analysts see these trends...
Goldman Sachs, General Atlantic, Aquitaine Back Autism Care; Supply-and-Demand Gap Drives Scaling Opportunities in Mental Health Assets
Goldman Sachs Alternatives, General Atlantic and Aquitaine are backing a growing autism‑care platform, citing a stark supply‑and‑demand mismatch in mental‑health services. Their investments follow MKH Capital Partner’s recent acquisition of a network of mental‑health and substance‑use treatment centers, highlighting a...
Kraken's Acquisition of Bitnomial Boosts Speed and Compliance
Kraken @krakenfx is a powerhouse and this is a great acquisition. @Bitnomial moves fast and has good regulatory positioning.
Revolution Medicines' Buyout Price Soars After Pancreatic Cancer Win
Revolution Medicines announced positive Phase 3 data for its pancreatic cancer candidate, showing a statistically significant survival benefit. The breakthrough lifted the company’s market value from roughly $30 billion to an estimated $45 billion, reigniting speculation of a mega‑buyout. Investors rushed in, sending...
NY State Pension Fund Pours $400M Into Carlyle, Accelerating Private‑Equity Real‑Estate Buying Spree
New York’s Common Retirement Fund committed $400 million to Carlyle Realty Partners X, a fund that will back the private‑equity giant’s aggressive acquisition of over 200 apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Queens since 2021. The investment, overseen by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, intensifies...
Kone in Advanced Talks to Acquire TK Elevator in €25 Bn Deal
Kone Oyj is in advanced negotiations to buy TK Elevator from private‑equity owners Advent and Cinven. The sellers are seeking a valuation of up to €25 bn ($29.5 bn) including debt, and both sides hope to seal a deal by the end...
Private Equity's College Sports Deal: Profit Mystery, Not Hype
blogged about the learfield sale, which I don't think warrants a OH MY GOD PRIVATE EQUITY IS COMING TO COLLEGE SPORTS type reaction but I do kinda wonder how this becomes profitable for everybody https://t.co/q2bQ1lNVca
Lakeland Posts 15% Revenue Rise in Q4 2026 as CRO Barry Phillips Charts Growth Path
Lakeland Industries reported full‑year net sales of $192.6 million, a 15.2% increase, while fourth‑quarter sales slipped 1.7% to $45.8 million. Chief Revenue Officer Barry Phillips used the earnings call to detail a fire‑services‑focused growth strategy, new acquisitions and a $130 million pipeline, even...
Abbott Beats Q1 Sales, Raises FY26 Outlook After Exact Sciences Deal
Abbott Laboratories reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $11.16 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $1.15, a 6% year‑over‑year rise. The company updated full‑year guidance to 6.5%‑7.5% comparable sales growth and $5.38‑$5.58 adjusted EPS, reflecting the $3 billion sales contribution and $0.20...