Download PDF Introduction For the first time in decades, the private equity industry is experiencing a genuine contraction. According to Bain & Co., total buyout assets under management fell by 2% in the year to June 2024, settling at $4.7tn as exit pipelines narrowed and distributions failed to meet investor Read more…
Download PDF Introduction The U.S. housing finance system revolves heavily around government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), and historically implicit and now explicit government guarantees through Fannie Mae [OTCMKTS: FNMA] and Freddie Mac [OTCMKTS: FMCC]. These entities have historically stabilized and facilitated mortgage lending by providing liquidity and guaranteeing mortgage-backed securities (MBS). However, Read more…
Download PDF Introduction Last year, we discussed how surging demand for data storage and processing – driven by streaming, e-commerce, and AI—propelled record investments in server infrastructure worldwide. There existed a large FOMO surrounding Data Centres and AI. Currently, with increasing investor pressure amid large Capex requirements and slow materialisation Read more…
Download PDF Intro The race to become the leading Electric Vehicle (EV) producer has just shifted into the next gear with the introduction of newer and faster charging systems. The race is now not only about range but also about which company can provide the fastest way to charge their Read more…
Download PDF Introduction After two years of limited activity due to uncertainty surrounding interest rate policies, large valuation gaps, and geopolitical tensions, the leveraged finance market saw a major recovery in 2024, marking its busiest year since 2021. The combined issuance volume of leveraged loans and high-yield bonds in the Read more…
Download PDF Introduction In today’s fast-evolving mergers and acquisitions landscape, a hidden battleground is emerging—one where minority shareholders can challenge the terms of a merger and potentially unlock significant hidden value. This arena is defined by appraisal rights, a legal mechanism that empowers investors who oppose a deal to bypass Read more…
Download PDF Introduction Generative AI has gone mainstream at a blistering pace worldwide. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, launched in late 2022, reached 100m users in just two months and was valued at around $29bn by January 2023. Now, on the verge of finalizing a new funding round, its valuation is expected to Read more…
Download PDF Introduction A retailer is a company or individual that sells goods or services directly to consumers, typically in small quantities for personal or household use. Positioned at the final stage of the supply chain, retailers reach consumers through brick-and-mortar stores, digital platforms, or a blend of both. While Read more…
Download PDF Introduction Geopolitics has become an increasingly influential factor in M&A, shaping and influencing deals whose rationale now goes beyond financial and strategic considerations, to national security concerns and soft power demonstration. Recent, and growing, geopolitical tensions between global powers, especially between the Western and the Eastern hemisphere, have Read more…
Download PDF Introduction Last month, we published an article focusing on the APAC IPO market, with particular attention to India, and decided to extend our exploration of equity capital markets in different regions as there is a lot going on right now. This article will examine the European IPO market, Read more…
Download PDF Introduction An easy and cheap way to access capital for value-creation, or maybe the first step towards imploding a business that worked for over 50 years? Popularised in the 1980s as an alternative form of financing for corporations amid high interest rates, asset sale-leasebacks have since found applications Read more…
Download PDF Introduction In an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, global defence markets are undergoing rapid and historic transformation. From the United States to Europe, military budgets are surging, procurement strategies are evolving, and investor interest is spiking. In the U.S., legacy defence giants are facing a wave of disruption from Read more…
Download PDF Introduction In 2024, over 240 activist campaigns were launched globally, the highest number since 2018, according to a Barclays report. The US and APAC remained the primary regions for activism, with 44% and 29% of campaigns initiated in these areas, respectively. Meanwhile, activity in Europe saw a slight Read more…
Download PDF Introduction The Danish Compromise is a regulatory provision within the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) which allows banks to apply favorable capital treatment to their equity investments in insurance subsidiaries. This mechanism has a significant impact on capital allocation strategies for financial conglomerates active in both banking and insurance Read more…
Download PDF Introduction The global diamond industry has long been a cornerstone of luxury markets and industrial applications, with rough diamonds serving as the raw material for both high-end jewelry and specialized industrial tools. While gem-quality diamonds are polished and set into engagement rings, necklaces, and other luxury items, lower-quality Read more…