Takeovers and Buyouts
The latest deal news from across the alternative investment space.
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Bullish, the rapidly growing institutional digital assets exchange led by Tom Farley, has acquired CoinDesk, a prominent media, events, and index platform focused on crypto assets, from Digital Currency Group (DGC). The acquisition aims to support CoinDesk’s global expansion and the growth of its various businesses. However, the financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
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More Stories on Takeovers and Buyouts
Francisco Partners and Evergreen Take LogMeIn Private
LogMeIn announced it has sold itself for $4.3 billion. The agreement allows the firm to go private thanks to a deal with Francisco Partners and Evergreen Coast Capital. The all-cash deal puts shares at $86.05 each.
Notz Stucki Will Purchase Alternative Investments Manager Jam Research
Notz Stucki has purchased Geneva-based alternative investment management firm JAM Research.
Rivulet Capital Opposes Thoma Bravo Purchase of Instructure
Rivulet Capital has said it will vote against Thoma Bravo’s purchase of educational software giant Instructure. The firm – which owns 5.23% of Instructure – announced its intention in a regulatory filing.
E-Trade Not Likely To Be An M&A Play…Yet
Charles Schwab’s acquisition of TD Ameritrade puts paid to E-Trade’s deal-making hopes.
According to the New York Post, which quoted informed sources, E-Trade is unlikely to be in merger play now that the two largest brokerages have joined forces.
American Hotel Income Properties REIT Buys 12 Hotels
American Hotel Income Properties REIT acquired a portfolio of 12 well-maintained Premium Branded hotels. The deal for the 12 hotels, totaling 1,203 guestrooms, is $191 million.
Could the Charles Schwab-TD Ameritrade Deal Move Big Banks’ Cheese?
After acquiring TD-Ameritrade for $26 billion, Charles Schwab will get its hands on even more cash. TD-Ameritrade currently invests its customer cash through Toronto-Dominion Bank and other banks. All that liquidity could now flow into the Charles Schwab bank, potentially earning much higher interest.
Carbon Credit Generator EcoSecurities Back in Pioneer Moura Costa’s Fold
JP Morgan acquired EcoSecurities in 2009 for $220 million but sold it in 2013 to Mercuria, the global energy, and commodity group.
According to a Reuters report, Mercuria has now sold Ecosecurities back to Pedro Moura Costa and partner Pablo Fernandez for an undisclosed amount.
The Arms Race in ESG Ratings: S&P Buys RobecoSAM Unit
The hot new sector of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings is witness to a lot of deal activity this year. Investors, fund managers, and regulators are pressing for data on companies’ performance on ESG, as concerns mount on sustainability. It’s no surprise, therefore, that S&P just purchased the ESG ratings arm of RobecoSAM, for an undisclosed amount.
Broadridge Financial Solutions Buys ClearStructure Financial Technology
Broadridge Financial Solutions announced today that it has purchased ClearStructure Financial Technology, a global provider of portfolio management solutions for the private debt markets.
BB&T and Suntrust Receive Approval for Truist Merger
BB&T and Suntrust received approval for their merger of equals by the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Casino “Whale” Caesars in Eldorado’s Net: Shareholders Green Light Their Merger
Thanks to Carl Icahn’s activism, and an $8.58 billion acquisition kitty, Eldorado is in the driver’s seat in US casino operations. It will soon have Caesars in its fold. After completion of the transaction in 2020, Eldorado will be the biggest casino operator in the U.S.
Another Shot to Icahn – HP Rejects Xerox Takeover Bid
Carl Icahn and Xerox will have to do more to convince HP to accept a takeover bid.
On Sunday, HP’s board of directors rejected an unsolicited $22 per share offer for the company.
RIA Deal Fervor Continues: Bluespring Wealth Acquires Vector Wealth Management
Founded in 1993, Vector Wealth Management is a wealth management and financial advisory RIA located in Minneapolis. The $1.1 billion firm was acquired by Bluespring Wealth Partners, as announced Thursday, though terms were not disclosed. Bluespring is a subsidiary of Kestra Financial, an independent broker-dealer. Private equity firm Warburg Pincus acquired majority ownership of Kestra in February 2019.
Carl Icahn Takes Stake in HP, Pushes for Xerox Merger
Activist investor Carl Icahn has purchased roughly $1.2 billion in HP Inc. stock. Icahn is now pushing the personal computer maker to merge with printing giant Xerox. Icahn now owns a 4.2% stake in HP. He also owns 10.6% of Xerox.
Is Private Equity Giant KKR Buying Walgreens Boots Alliance?
Is KKR buying Walgreens Boots Alliance? Based on a new buyout proposal, the answer could be “yes.” The private equity giant has put together a $70 billion proposal that would take the pharmacy benefits firm private.
Schwarzman Adds To Skepticism Around The Walgreens Boots LBO
Stephen Schwarzman, who runs Blackstone Group, thinks the Walgreens Boots privatization might be just too big.
“It’s a huge stretch doing things over $50 billion,” Schwarzman remarked at a New York event.
The size of the Walgreens Boots LBO can be estimated from the company’s market cap of $53 billion and a debt of $16.8 billion.
Blackstone Group is Getting into the Dating Game
MagicLab, a developer of dating and social networking apps, has a new beau. Private equity giant Blackstone Group is buying a $3 billion stake in the company. MagicLab’s properties include Bumble and Badoo.
Will Walgreens Shatter the Private Equity LBO Record?
KKR and other PE Firms are Eyeing the Pharmacy Benefits Giant Walgreen Boots Alliance is talking to private equity firms about going private. CNBC reports that KKR is one of several shops thinking about buying the $55 billion company. Such a deal would be a massive purchase for one private equity shop. It could also…
CPPIB to Buy Pattern Energy Group for $2.63 Billion
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) announced plans to buy Pattern Energy Group for $2.63 billion. CPPIB announced details of the deal for the renewable energy giant on Monday. Shareholders will receive $26.75 for the stock. That figure is actually lower than the price the stock traded for earlier in the day. In the final hour of trading on Monday, PEGI stock was off 2.5% at $27.03 per share.
After Bulgari And Dior, Arnault Wants to Add Jeweller Tiffany to the LVMH Luxury Crown
Tiffany & Co., the iconic US jeweler that featured in the Audrey Hepburn starrer Breakfast at Tiffany’s, has received a takeover offer from LVMH.
LVMH is the owner of the Louis Vuitton brand and the world’s largest luxury goods group. It reportedly made an all-cash offer of $120 per share of Tiffany, valuing the jeweler at $14.5 billion.
PwC Report Tackles Third-Quarter Deal Flow
A new PwC report is out with a look at third quarter 2019 deal flow. Technology deal volume fell by 46% when compared to the second quarter. Because the first half of the year was exceptionally strong total volume of technology M&A is still up 37% year over year. The gain has been driven primarily by mega deals. In 2019, we saw nine deals for $138 billion compared to 2018 when we had just seven deals totaling $63 billion.
Allworth Financial Buys RAA and Expands U.S. Reach
Allworth Financial is purchasing RAA, one of the country’s largest financial planning firms specializing in the airline industry. Based in Dallas, RAA manages roughly $2.8 billion of client assets. This brings Allworth’s AUM more than $7.5 billion.
Apollo Global Doubles Stake in Athene Holding
Apollo Global Management will buy an 18% stake in Athene Holding (NYSE: ATH). The $1.55 billion deal will see Apollo double its stake to roughly 35%. The purchase comprises about 35.5 million common shares.
Two Private Equity Firms Buy Management Services Arm of AECOM
Private equity firms Lindsay Goldberg and American Securities are buying assets from construction giant AECOM. The target company issued a report this morning saying it agreed to a deal worth $2.4 billion for its management services division. That arm of the company provides logistics and technical services to the Federal government.