TG Jones Owner Modella to Buy Flying Tiger in Latest High Street Swoop
Modella Capital is on the brink of acquiring Flying Tiger Copenhagen from Danske Bank and Nordea, adding the quirky home‑ware chain to its high‑street portfolio. Flying Tiger operates roughly 900 stores worldwide, including 80 in the UK, and reported 2024 turnover of over 5.2 billion Danish krone (about $730 million). The deal follows Modella’s recent purchase of WH Smith’s 480 stores for £40 million and its pattern of rapid restructurings. Announcement of the transaction is expected imminently.
Uber Explores Delivery Hero Takeover to Fight DoorDash Globally: Sources
Uber is weighing a full takeover of Germany‑based Delivery Hero after raising its stake to 19.5% and securing 5.6% of options. The move, facilitated by Morgan Stanley’s derivative‑based buying, aims to give Uber a stronger foothold in more than 60 markets where...
China Investor Takes over 120-Year-Old German Knitting Machine Maker
German textile equipment specialist Mayer & Cie, a 120‑year‑old maker of circular knitting machines, filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by Chinese firm Huixing Machinery. The insolvency was driven by price pressure from state‑subsidized Chinese competitors and broader macro shocks...
IMAX Potential Suitors Include Netflix, Apple, Wedbush Says
IMAX Corp. (IMAX) is reportedly exploring a sale, prompting interest from several high‑profile potential buyers. Wedbush analysts cite streaming giant Netflix, tech powerhouse Apple, and a slate of private‑equity firms as likely suitors. The speculation sent IMAX stock up roughly...
Publicis and LiveRamp Hit Back After Rivals Claim M&A Deal Will Harm ‘Neutrality’
Publicis Groupe announced a definitive agreement to acquire data‑collaboration platform LiveRamp for roughly $5.5 billion. The deal, which would combine Publicis’ agency network with LiveRamp’s data onboarding capabilities, has drawn criticism from rivals Omnicom and Stagwell, who argue the merger could...
Post Oak Group Reports Middle Market Emerging as the Strong Segment of 2026 M&A
Post Oak Group, named Texas' top middle‑market investment bank, says the middle market has become the strongest segment of 2026 M&A activity. A narrowing bid‑ask spread, abundant private‑equity dry powder and aggressive family‑office participation are driving a surge in deals...
Company Founders, We Love You, but Investors Need More
Private equity firms are increasingly evaluating architecture, engineering and construction companies for their ability to scale beyond a founder‑centric model. The U.S. data‑center construction market is projected to more than double, reaching roughly $211 bn by 2033, driving sector expansion. Yet...
Tender Offer for Recordati; Sobi's Gout Drug Passes Phase 3 Test
CVC Capital Partners and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert have launched a cash voluntary tender offer for Recordati, valuing the Italian specialty‑pharma group at roughly €1.5 billion. Meanwhile, Swedish biotech firm Sobi announced that its investigational gout therapy met its primary endpoint in...
Apollo Makes £1.5bn Bid for London-Listed Bodycote
Apollo Global Management has launched a £1.5 bn cash offer to acquire Bodycote, the London‑listed specialist in heat‑treatment and thermal processing. The proposal values Bodycote at roughly £1.5 bn enterprise value, implying a premium over its current market price. If accepted, the...
What Can We Learn From CBIZ?
CBIZ’s acquisition of Marcum initially lifted its share price to $90, but by March 2026 the stock plunged to $26.66, a 70% decline that highlights execution risk in accounting‑firm roll‑ups. Private‑equity investors remain unperturbed, focusing on medium‑term integration rather than...
GBL Joins CVC in €10.7bn Takeover Bid for Recordati
Private equity firm CVC, already holding 46.8% of Recordati, has teamed up with Belgian investor GBL to formalise a €51.29‑per‑share, €10.7 billion (~$11.6 billion) takeover bid for the Italian pharma group. The consortium also includes ADIA’s Luxinva, CPPIB and chairman Andrea Recordati,...
Partners Group Launches New Lower Leverage, Recurring Income PE Strategy
Partners Group has unveiled a new Total Return control‑buyout strategy that emphasizes lower leverage and recurring income streams. The fund targets mature, cash‑generating companies where earnings can be distributed to investors while preserving upside potential. By combining income focus with...
Modaxo Enters Into Agreement to Acquire the Public Transit Business From Conduent
Modaxo Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Conduent Inc.'s Public Transit Business, which includes Transit Fare Management and Fleet Management Solutions. The acquisition will bring Conduent's fare collection technology—designed to boost revenue, curb fare evasion, and lower operational costs—under...
Advent, FedEx, A&R & PPF Launch €7.8bn All-Cash Offer for InPost
Advent International, together with FedEx, A&R Capital and PPF Group, has launched an all‑cash bid of €7.8 billion (about $8.5 billion) to acquire InPost, the Polish‑based parcel‑locker and last‑mile delivery specialist. The offer values InPost at a premium to its current market...
Xpeng Takes 90.1% of Erajaya’s EV Manufacturing Arm
Chinese EV maker Xpeng has acquired a 90.1% stake in PT Era Industri Otomotif (EIDO), the manufacturing arm of Indonesia’s PT Sinar Eka Selaras. The transaction, effective May 13 2026, involved Xpeng investing roughly US$8.6 million for a controlling interest, while SES retains...
Imax Explores Possible Sale, Stock Surges
IMAX Corp. is reportedly exploring a sale, prompting its stock to surge more than 10% to $37.50. An insider confirmed the discussions are still preliminary, with no formal bids in hand. The company posted Q4 revenue of $81.4 million, beating forecasts,...
Iconic Downtown Hotel Skyscraper Changes Hands; Renovation Coming
Portman Hospitality Fund I has acquired the Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta’s 73‑story, 1,073‑room hotel that has dominated the skyline for five decades. The deal, announced by developer Portman, was made with Marriott International, which will continue to manage the property...
Broken-Deal Fees Put Alignment in Spotlight
A new survey of private‑equity firms shows that most charge broken‑deal expenses directly to the fund, while a minority still bill portfolio companies or investors. The practice is becoming a litmus test for sponsor‑LP alignment, as LPs demand greater transparency...
RA Capital Banks $75M for a Biotech SPAC
RA Capital Management launched Research Alliance III, a biotech-focused SPAC that raised $75 million by selling 7.5 million shares at $10 each and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker RACC. The vehicle seeks to merge with a China‑based drug development and diagnostic...
Reebok Owner Acquires Lee and Plans IPO with a New “Wall Street CEO”
Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the owner of Reebok, Champion and Brooks Brothers, announced it will pursue an initial public offering within the next twelve months. Simultaneously, ABG is acquiring the denim label Lee, expanding its apparel portfolio. Founder Jamie Salter...
Octus: Private Credit & Deal Origination Insights – 5/18/2026
Private‑equity sponsors are rapidly expanding their footprint in European credit markets, with sponsor‑backed direct lending now the dominant source of new financing. A recent chart shows sponsor share climbing across direct lending, bank‑loan and high‑yield segments from 2024 through Q1 2026,...
KKR to Sell Circor Aerospace to Parker Hannifin for $2.55bn
Private equity firm KKR announced the sale of Circor Aerospace to industrial automation leader Parker Hannifin for $2.55 billion. KKR originally bought the entire Circor group for $1.8 billion in 2023, but will retain the company's naval and industrial divisions. The transaction...
SK Capital Partners Takes Hold of Brothers International
SK Capital Partners has acquired Brothers International Food Holdings from Benford Capital, though financial terms were not disclosed. Founder Travis Betters will stay on as president and CEO while retaining a significant equity stake. The deal positions SK Capital to...
A New Mega-Deal Shows How AI Has Turned Utilities Into Hot Property
NextEra Energy, the world’s largest listed utility, announced a deal to acquire Virginia‑based Dominion Energy, which supplies power to the globe’s biggest data‑center cluster. The merger reflects a surge in electricity demand driven by artificial‑intelligence workloads and positions NextEra to...
PE-Backed Authentic Brands Group to Acquire Denim Brand Lee
Authentic Brands Group, a private‑equity‑backed brand and entertainment platform, announced the acquisition of iconic denim label Lee. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal adds Lee to ABG’s expanding apparel portfolio that already includes Wrangler and other heritage brands....
South African Billionaire Telecoms Brothers Reveal What Went Wrong with Cell C
South African billionaire brothers Brett and Mark Levy, co‑CEOs of Blu Label, explained that mis‑aligned leadership at Cell C, not the acquisition price, caused the telecom’s decline after Blu Label bought a 45% stake in 2017. They acknowledged that frequent...
Fat Brands to Be Sold to Multiple Buyers for Nearly $1B
Fat Brands, the owner of restaurant chains such as Round Table Pizza and Twin Peaks, has received court approval for a series of asset sales that total nearly $1 billion. Hot Dog on a Stick and Elevation Burger were sold for...
Barings Brings in over $19bn for Global Direct Lending Strategy in Two-Year Fundraise
Barings announced it has secured more than $19 billion in committed capital for its Global Direct Lending strategy after a two‑year fundraising effort. The capital will be deployed to finance middle‑market companies worldwide, expanding Barings' private credit platform. This raise positions...
PE Turns to “CV Squared” Structures as Exit Headwinds Keep Assets in Extended Holding Cycles
Private‑equity firms are increasingly using multi‑layer continuation vehicles, dubbed “CV squared,” to keep assets in extended ownership as traditional exits stall. The approach recycles assets from one continuation fund into another, effectively resetting holding periods rather than realizing sales or...
Pantheon’s Hassanally: Debut CFO Unlocks Secondaries for Constricted Investors
Pantheon announced the appointment of Amyn Hassanally as its debut chief financial officer, tasking him with expanding the firm’s secondary‑market capabilities. Within months, Hassanally helped launch a $1 billion secondary fund designed to give insurance companies a pathway back into private‑equity...
Sun Communities Agrees £768m Sale of UK Assets to Aermont
Sun Communities has agreed to sell its United Kingdom manufactured‑home and RV assets to Aermont for £768 million, roughly $975 million. The deal will transfer more than 5,000 sites to the British investor. Proceeds from the transaction will be redeployed into Sun’s...
Deconstructing Medtronic's 2026 M&A Playbook
Medtronic has moved from operational stabilization to an aggressive 2026 M&A strategy, spurred by governance reforms and the creation of Growth and Operating Committees. The company raised $784 million from the MiniMed IPO, simplifying its portfolio, and announced three acquisitions—CathWorks, Scientia...
Singtel Open to Selling "Meaningful Minority Stake" In Optus
Singtel announced it is open to selling a meaningful minority stake in Optus to a strategic Australian partner, while reaffirming its long‑term commitment to the Australian market. Optus reported 2.1% revenue growth to A$8.34 bn (≈US$5.5 bn) and a 6% EBITDA increase...
GameStop Ups Its Stake in eBay After Its Buyout Bid Was Rejected
GameStop raised its eBay ownership to roughly 6.55%, up from about 5% earlier this month. The increase follows a rejected unsolicited $56 billion takeover proposal for the online auction giant. The new stake reflects both common stock and underlying put/call option...
ACP-Backed Marco Snaps up Pride Seals
Marco, a specialty component maker of rubber, plastic, and metal parts, announced the acquisition of Pride Seals, a provider of sealing solutions. The deal is backed by private‑equity firm ACP, which has been actively investing in industrial manufacturers. By adding...
James Murdoch Buys up Half of Vox Media, Grabbing New York and Podcasts, but Leaving The Verge and SB Nation
James Murdoch, through his holding company Lupa Systems, is paying more than $300 million to acquire a 52% stake in Vox Media. The purchase gives him control of New York Magazine and its verticals—The Cut, Vulture, Intelligencer, The Strategist, Curbed, Grub Street—and the...
GP Stake Sales Boom Raises Fund Diligence Questions
The market for private‑equity GP‑led stake sales is accelerating, with minority‑interest transactions surging as firms seek liquidity and capital for new deals. Investors are increasingly buying into GP ownership, often through secondary‑market platforms, creating a parallel market to traditional fund...
CCI Clears Blackstone’s Investment In AI Cloud Startup Neysa
Blackstone, via affiliates BCP Asia II Topco V and Asia II Topco XIV, received Competition Commission of India approval to acquire a controlling stake in AI‑cloud startup Neysa Networks. The deal comprises a $1.2 bn financing package—$600 mn equity led by Blackstone...
Value, Focus, and the Future of MedTech: M&A and Divestitures Are Rewriting the Strategic Playbook.
MedTech firms are reshaping portfolios by prioritizing market access, turning it into the primary driver of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Leaders now evaluate assets on reimbursement certainty, evidence strength and ASP durability rather than pure innovation. High‑profile deals such as...
La Caisse and Vita Set to Buy PBSA Portfolio with Nearly 3,200 Beds
French pension fund La Caisse and UK student‑housing specialist Vita have agreed to purchase a private‑backed student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio from DWS. The assets comprise roughly 3,200 beds spread across Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle. The transaction expands...
Debtwire Middle-Market – 5/18/2026
Leveraged buyout (LBO) activity surged to $17.9 bn in March, the strongest monthly total since September 2021’s $22.8 bn peak. The spike lifted LBO‑driven loans to nearly half of the $37 bn institutional leveraged‑loan issuance for the month. The uptick comes amid lingering macroeconomic...
AI Consolidation Begins: Blackstone & Google Forge an AI Empire
Private‑equity giant Blackstone and Alphabet’s Google have launched a $5 billion equity‑financed joint venture to build a U.S. AI cloud platform, targeting 500 MW of capacity by 2027 and offering Google’s Tensor Processing Units as a compute‑as‑a‑service. The partnership creates a debt‑free,...
Ridgely Walsh Works James Murdoch's NY Mag Deal
James Murdoch’s investment vehicle Lupa Systems, represented by Ridgely Walsh, has acquired New York Magazine, the Vox Media Podcast network and other digital assets from Vox Media. The newly purchased properties will operate as a Vox Media unit under Jim Bankoff. Lupa’s...
Hema Co-Financed Its Own Acquisition
Hema helped finance its own takeover by granting a €60 million (≈ $65 million) loan to Mississippi Ventures, the Van Eerd family’s investment vehicle. The loan allowed the family, already holding 50% of Hema, to purchase the remaining stake from Amsterdam‑based Parcom, completing the...
Lilly Snaps up Engage to Advance Non-Viral Genetic Medicines
Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Engage Biologics for up to $202 million in cash, adding the company’s non‑viral DNA delivery platform called Tethosome. The technology combines lipid‑nanoparticle shells with an mRNA‑encoded transport protein to move genetic payloads into cell nuclei without viral vectors....
Big Europe and Asian Private Equity Health Funds Merge to Defy AI Disruption
European health‑focused private equity giant EurHealth Capital and Asian counterpart AsiaMed Partners announced a merger that creates a $11 billion health‑care fund, the largest cross‑regional private equity vehicle of its kind. The combined entity will pool €9.5 billion (≈$10.3 billion) of committed capital...
Report: Charlotte Tilbury Complicates Estée Lauder-Puig Merger Talks
Charlotte Tilbury is demanding a renegotiation of the buyout terms for her eponymous cosmetics brand, which Puig acquired for $1.2 billion in 2020. The request threatens to complicate Puig’s planned merger with Estée Lauder Companies, as a change‑of‑control clause could trigger...
Cementation & TNT Conclude Strategic Ownership Transition
Cementation and Terra Nova Technologies (TNT) have completed a strategic ownership transition that consolidates Cementation Americas, Cementation Africa and TNT under a new capital‑backed structure. Backed by major institutional investors, the new arrangement provides long‑term financial support and aligns engineering,...
NMI’s Latest Deal Snags A2A Platform Dwolla
Network Merchants Inc. (NMI) announced the acquisition of Dwolla, a payments‑acceptance platform specializing in real‑time, account‑to‑account (A2A) processing. The deal, NMI’s sixth since 2021, adds roughly 400 Dwolla merchants and lifts the combined entity’s annual transaction volume to about $700 billion....
20 Large Health Systems Growing Bigger
Hospital consolidation is gaining momentum after a brief post‑pandemic pause, with large health systems pursuing cross‑state mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Twenty major systems announced or plan deals this year, ranging from Atrium Health’s combination with WakeMed to Sutter Health’s...