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AMERICAS

Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining revise merger agreement. (Press Release)

Piedmont Lithium, a key North American lithium supplier for the US electric vehicle sector, and Sayona Mining have provided an update on the proposed merger announced on November 19, 2024. The merger will combine the two companies to form a leading lithium business.

Piedmont Lithium is advised by JP Morgan, Bennett Jones, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (led by John Gaffney) and Thomson Geer (led by Michael Ng). Sayona Mining is advised by Canaccord Genuity, Morgan Stanley, Baker Botts (led by Avner Bengera and Jamie Yarbrough), Herbert Smith Freehills (led by Tony Damian and Nicole Pedler) and McCarthy Tetrault (led by Louis-Nicolas Boulanger), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Twenty One to go public via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners in a $3.6bn deal.

Twenty One, a newly formed Bitcoin-native company, to go public via a SPAC merger with Cantor Equity Partners, a special-purpose acquisition company, in a $3.6bn deal.

Twenty One is advised by Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Cantor Equity Partners is advised by Cantor Fitzgerald and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole. Tether is advised by Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (led by Lorenzo Corte). Softbank Group Corp is advised by Sullivan & Cromwell (led by Mario Schollmeyer and Matthew Goodman), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

VERAXA Biotech to go public via a SPAC merger with Voyager Acquisition in a $1.64bn deal.

VERAXA Biotech, an advancing a premier drug discovery and development engine for ADCs and other novel antibody-based therapy concepts, agreed to go public via a SPAC merger with Voyager Acquisition, a special-purpose acquisition company, in a $1.64bn deal, according to press releases.

VERAXA Biotech is advised by Anne Martina Group, Duane Morris, FTI Consulting (led by Robert Stanislaro) and Valency Communications (led by Mario Brkulj). Voyager is advised by Winston & Strawn (led by Michael J. Blankenship), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Lightyear Capital Partners completes the investment in King Risk Partners.

Lightyear Capital Partners, a private equity firm, completed the investment in King Risk Partners, a retail insurance brokerage with deep expertise in personal and commercial insurance, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lightyear Capital was advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell (led by Michael Davis), Foley & Lardner and ThroughCo Communications (led by Elliot Sloane). BHMS was advised by Sidley Austin. King Risk was advised by TAG Financial Institutions Group, according to press releases.

MPE Partners completes the investment in Intermatic.

MPE Partners, a private equity firm, completed the investment in Intermatic, an energy management solutions company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Intermatic was advised by Robert W Baird (led by Trish Renner). MPE Partners was advised by Jones Day (led by Lisa Lathrop and Kevin Samuels). Debt financing was provided by CIBC World Markets and Manulife Investment Management, according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Columbia Banking System to acquire Pacific Premier Bancorp for $2bn.

Columbia Banking System, a commercial banking corporation, agreed to acquire Pacific Premier Bancorp, a bank holding company, for $2bn, according to press releases.

Pacific Premier Bancorp is advised by Keefe Bruyette & Woods and Holland & Knight. Columbia Banking System is advised by Piper Sandler and Sullivan & Cromwell (led by Patrick S. Brown).

S&P Global to acquire AIS business from ORBCOMM.

S&P Global, a provider of financial and analytical services, agreed to acquire AIS business from ORBCOMM, a provider of maritime tracking and monitoring solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

S&P Global is advised by DLA Piper. ORBCOMM is advised by PJT Partners and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, according to press releases.

FCC Environmental Services to acquire Wheelabrator South Broward from WIN Waste Innovations.

FCC Environmental Services, a sustainable waste management company, agreed to acquire Wheelabrator South Broward, a waste management service, from WIN Waste Innovations, a waste management and incinerator company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

FCC is advised by Hunton Andrews Kurth. WIN Waste is advised by Evercore and Kirkland & Ellis, according to press releases.

UPS to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group for $1.6bn.

UPS, a global logistics company, agreed to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group, a specialized provider of healthcare logistics and cold chain solutions, for $1.6bn, according to press releases.

TeamDynamix completes the acquisition of Sassafras.

TeamDynamix, a provider of service management and automation solutions, completed the acquisition of Sassafras, a company specializing in IT asset and software management solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Mythics completes the acquisition of Smart ERP Solutions.

Mythics, an Oracle systems integrator, completed the acquisition of Smart ERP Solutions, a global enterprise software and consulting firm that focuses on implementing, optimizing, and supporting Oracle PeopleSoft and Oracle Cloud applications, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Kimberly-Clark's $4bn international tissue unit set for three-way M&A fight. (Reuters)

Royal Golden Eagle, Asia Pulp & Paper and Suzano have emerged as the final bidders for Kimberly-Clark’s international tissue business, which is valued at approximately $4bn.

All three companies are in the due diligence phase and are expected to submit binding bids by mid-May as the sale process enters its final stages.

UK will not rush to reach trade deal with US. (Reuters)

Britain is in no hurry to finalize a trade deal with US President Donald Trump's administration, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said on April 23, emphasizing that the UK will not compromise on food standards during negotiations.

"We are not going to rush a deal. We want to get the right deal that’s in our national interest, and those talks are ongoing," Reeves told reporters in Washington, adding that the US also appears committed to reaching an agreement.

Musk's Neuralink eyes fundraise at $8.5bn valuation. (Bloomberg)

Elon Musk’s Neuralink is preparing to raise approximately $500m in a funding round that would value the company at $8.5bn before the investment.

The brain-implant startup has started early talks with prospective investors, with the terms suggesting a post-money valuation of around $9bn. Discussions are ongoing and final details may still change.

Carlyle's CEO Is reviving its DC brand just in time for Trump era. (Bloomberg)

Harvey Schwartz is working to reinvigorate Carlyle Group by strengthening its connection to its Washington, DC origins—a key element of his strategy since taking over as CEO.

In his first year as CEO, Schwartz made weekly visits to Carlyle’s Washington headquarters, highlighting efforts to reestablish it as a strategic center.

Discord names new CEO as Co-Founder steps down ahead of IPO. (Press Release)

Discord has appointed Humam Sakhnini as its new CEO, succeeding Co-Founder Jason Citron.

Sakhnini, who previously served as Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard and oversaw major titles such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, will assume the role on April 28.

EMEA

Colonial completes a €200m investment in Deeplabs.

Colonial, a company engaged in the operation of real estate investment trust, completed a €200m ($227m) investment in Deeplabs, a science & innovation platform, according to press releases.

Colonial was advised by Cushman & Wakefield, Citigroup, Uria Menendez, Brunswick Group and Roman (led by Xavier Ribó). Stoneshield Capital was advised by CBRE Group and UBS, according to press releases.

Marlin Equity Partners completes a €72m investment in Didomi.

Marlin Equity Partners, a private equity firm, completed a €72m ($83m) investment in Didomi, a global data privacy Solutions provider, according to press releases.

Didomi was advised by Sullivan & Cromwell (led by Arnaud Berdou), according to MergerLinks data.

Gordon Brothers completes the acquisition of SIA Group.

Gordon Brothers, a global asset management firm, completed the acquisition of SIA Group, a UK-based asset valuation and advisory firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

UBS and General Atlantic discuss private credit partnership. (Bloomberg)

UBS is in advanced discussions with alternative asset manager General Atlantic to form a strategic partnership aimed at expanding into the $1.6tn private credit market.

The planned agreement, which could be announced as soon as week commencing April 28, would involve UBS’s investment bank originating loans that give GA Credit preferred access or a "first-look" at potential deals. The move marks a significant step in UBS’s efforts to grow its presence in private lending.

UK competition regulator approves Topps Tiles' purchase of CTD Tiles. (Reuters)

Britain’s competition regulator has approved Topps Tiles’ £9m ($12m) acquisition of CTD Tiles after accepting remedies proposed by the companies.

The Competition and Markets Authority had previously raised concerns over competition in four locations. Last month, Topps Tiles offered to divest those stores, paving the way for the purchase of the remaining 26 outlets included in the deal.

Dubai fuel delivery startup Cafu explores first stake sale. (Bloomberg)

Dubai-based fuel-delivery startup Cafu is exploring a potential stake sale as it looks to raise external funding for the first time.

Founded in 2018 by a member of a prominent Emirati merchant family, the company is working with Lazard on the fundraising process. Discussions remain at an early stage and no final decisions have been made.

Pfisterer plans Frankfurt IPO as new listings show signs of life. (Bloomberg)

Pfisterer has announced plans for an initial public offering in Frankfurt, becoming at least the second European firm this week to move forward with a listing as IPO activity shows signs of revival following recent market turbulence.

The German high-voltage cable insulator manufacturer aims to raise €100m ($114m) through the sale of new shares. Existing shareholders are also expected to offer shares to help achieve a minimum free float of 25%. Previous reports have suggested the IPO could value the company at up to €500m ($569m).

Cellnex CEO sees overhaul done by year end, eyes growth in UK. (Bloomberg)

Cellnex CEO Marco Patuano said the company’s major restructuring, including a series of asset sales, will be largely completed by the end of 2025, setting the stage for a new phase of growth.

Following the overhaul, Europe’s tower operator plans to shift focus to "non-M&A growth," which will involve increasing the density of its wireless tower portfolio and expanding into rural areas in markets such as the UK, the Netherlands and Spain.

UniCredit board meets after Italy imposes hurdles on BPM deal. (Bloomberg)

UniCredit held a board meeting on April 23 to assess its next steps after the Italian government imposed conditions on the bank’s takeover bid for Banco BPM.

The discussion focused on Rome’s decision to trigger its Golden Power regulations, which allow the government to intervene in deals involving strategic assets. Board members evaluated possible responses as the lender considers how to proceed under the new constraints.

Deutsche Bank’s DWS can now consider buying a rival. (Bloomberg)

DWS Group CEO Stefan Hoops signaled that the firm is ready to pursue acquisitions, positioning Germany’s largest asset manager to join the wave of consolidation sweeping the industry.

Much of the internal groundwork needed to prepare for such moves has been completed, Hoops said in an April 24 interview, adding that the firm now has sufficient excess capital to support larger transactions.

Generali CEO secures new term after contested Natixis deal. (Reuters)

Generali CEO Philippe Donnet has secured shareholder backing to remain in his role for another three years, following a pivotal asset management deal that stirred tensions with a major investor and the Italian government.

The vote marks a win for top shareholder Mediobanca, which holds a 13% stake in Generali, prevailing over the insurer’s second- and third-largest investors, who together control 17% of Generali and 27% of Mediobanca.

APAC

Hongkong Land sells part of Exchange Square and starts buyback. (RNS Announcement)

Hongkong Land is selling a portion of its flagship One Exchange Square property for HK$6.3bn ($810m) and launching a share buyback program as it looks to reduce debt and pursue new investment opportunities.

The company is offloading part of the building in Hong Kong’s Central district to Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing. The property accounts for 3.2% of the total value of its Central portfolio, as disclosed in a London exchange filing on April 24.

Japan lawmakers urge pension fund to invest in domestic private equity. (Reuters)

A group of lawmakers from Japan’s ruling party has urged the country’s top public pension fund, GPIF, to increase investment in domestic private equity and venture capital funds as part of efforts to strengthen the local private asset investment ecosystem.

Global firms like KKR and Bain Capital have seen growing success in Japan, supported by corporate governance reforms, increased shareholder activism and government initiatives promoting industry consolidation.

Databricks to hire hundreds in India to accelerate AI boom. (Bloomberg)

Databricks plans to invest over $250m in India over the next three years and significantly expand hiring as it looks to accelerate artificial intelligence innovation in the region.

The move aligns with a broader wave of Western tech and AI companies increasing their presence in India, drawn by the country’s growing talent pool and strategic importance in the global AI landscape.

ZUS Coffee to add 200 Southeast Asia stores in Starbucks duel. (Bloomberg)

Zuspresso, the operator of ZUS Coffee, plans to open nearly 200 new outlets across Southeast Asia in 2025, following its rapid rise to become Malaysia’s largest coffee chain in under five years.

The company will launch at least 107 new stores in Malaysia, around 80 in the Philippines, and six in Singapore. COO Venon Tian said the brand will also enter Thailand and Indonesia this year, opening its first locations in both markets.

Toppan's chip-material unit Tekscend is planning an IPO in 2025. (Bloomberg)

Japanese chip-material maker Tekscend is preparing for an initial public offering in Tokyo as early as the second half of 2025.

Bank of America, Nomura, and SMBC Nikko Securities have been selected to work on the potential listing, with the possibility of additional banks joining the process.

Citigroup hires ex-Goldman Senior Banker Chris Chan in Singapore. (Bloomberg)

Chris Chan, a former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Board Member of its Singapore unit, has joined Citigroup as Head of Markets Solutions for Financial Institutions across North and South Asia.

Chan, who spent over a decade at Goldman, will assume his new role in July and be based in Singapore.

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