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AMERICAS

Abrigo completes the acquisition of Integrated Financial Solutions.

Abrigo, a provider of compliance, credit risk, and lending solutions for financial institutions, completed the acquisition of Integrated Financial Solutions, the provider of IFSLeaseWorks, a company specialised in end-to-end lease and loan origination and administration automation, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

IFS was advised by Krall & Co and Rutan & Tucker. Abrigo was advised by DLA Piper and Bospar, according to press releases.

TA Associates, Insight Partners, Charlesbank and Clearlake-backed Aptean to acquire Logility for $482m.

TA Associates, Insight Partners, Charlesbank and Clearlake-backed Aptean, a provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, agreed to acquire Logility, an AI-first supply chain management software, for $482m, according to press releases.

Logility is advised by Lazard and Jones Day. Aptean is advised by Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, according to press releases.

Blackstone to acquire Potomac Energy Center.

Blackstone, an alternative asset manager, agreed to acquire Potomac Energy Center, a 774-megawatt natural gas power plant, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Blackstone is advised by Jefferies & Company and Santander, according to press releases.

Alvarez & Marsal Capital to acquire a majority stake in East Coast Power.

Alvarez & Marsal Capital, a middle-market private equity fund, agreed to acquire a majority stake in East Coast Power. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A&M Capital is advised by Harris Williams & Co and Gaffney Bennett Public Relations.

Shell completes the acquisition of RISEC.

Shell, an oil and chemical group engaged in the exploration, production, transportation, refining, distribution and marketing of crude oil, gas, and petroleum products, completed the acquisition of RISEC, the owner of a 609-megawatt gas power plant in Rhode Island, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

RISEC was advised by Latham & Watkins (led by David Allinson and Daniel H. Williams). Carlyle was advised by Barclays, according to press releases.

Ferrero Group to acquire Power Crunch.

Ferrero Group, a global food company, agreed to acquire Power Crunch, a producer of protein snacks, including a variety of wafer bars as well as high-protein crisps, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ferrero Group is advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell (led by Daniel Brass), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.

Focus Partners Wealth to acquire Merriman Wealth Management.

Focus Partners Wealth, an interdependent partnership of wealth management, agreed to acquire Merriman Wealth Management, a wealth management firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Focus Partners Wealth is advised by Prosek Partners, according to press releases.

ASSA ABLOY completes the acquisition of InVue.

ASSA ABLOY, a provider of access solutions, completed the acquisition of InVue, a US-based provider of precision-engineered connected asset protection and access control solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

InVue is advised by Davis Polk & Wardwell (led by Daniel Brass), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.

Fusion Capital Partners completes the acquisition of Tavoron from High Road Capital Partners.

Fusion Capital Partners, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of Tavoron, a provider of industrial automation components, systems and services, from High Road Capital Partners, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

High Road Capital Partners was advised by Jones Day (led by William R Stewart), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners completes the acquisition of ALL4 from JMH Capital Partners.

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of ALL4, an environmental services company providing air quality consultancy services, from JMH Capital Partners, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners was advised by Kirkland & Ellis, according to press releases.

AbbVie completes the acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics for $200m.

AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and markets medicines, completed the acquisition of Nimble Therapeutics, a biotechnology company, for $200m, according to press releases.

LG to acquire an additional 30% stake in Bear Robotics.

LG, a manufacturer and distributor of electronic products, chemicals and telecommunication products, agreed to acquire an additional 30% stake in Bear Robotics, a company specializing in AI-driven autonomous service robots, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Source Capital proposes a merger with 180 Degree Capital. (Press Release)

Source Capital, a closed-end fund, is interested in discussing a potential merger with 180 Degree Capital, a publicly owned corporate pension plan sponsor.

"We are excited about the potential merger and are interested in working constructively with the Board of Directors with the goal of reaching agreement on a transaction that will provide all stakeholders with value, speed and certainty. We hope that the Board will work with us to maximize value and opportunities for all stockholders and other stakeholders, and we look forward to receiving a response to this non-binding proposal promptly," Source Capital.

Source is advised by First Pacific Advisors and Hewes Communications.

EV maker Nikola exploring options including potential sale. (Reuters)

Electric vehicle maker Nikola is exploring strategic options, including selling parts of its business, the entire company, bringing on partners, or raising additional funds, as it faces significant financial pressures.

The company's shares plummeted 28% in late-afternoon trading following the news. According to the report, Nikola has been struggling with high costs associated with ramping up production of its fuel-cell electric truck.

Historically, Nikola has worked with Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and King & Spalding, according to MergerLinks data.

Boeing’s Jeppesen unit draws aerospace, buyout suitors. (Bloomberg)

Boeing’s potential sale of its Jeppesen navigation unit is drawing interest from major aviation suppliers and private equity firms as the deadline for initial bids approaches next week.

RTX and Honeywell International are among the companies reviewing Jeppesen. Private equity firms such as Advent, Blackstone, Carlyle Group, Thoma Bravo, Veritas Capital, and Warburg Pincus are also showing early interest ahead of the January 29 deadline.

Historically, Boeing has worked with Goldman Sachs, PJT Partners, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Mayer Brown, according to MergerLinks data.

Beacon Roofing seeks potential rivals to QXO takeover bid. (Bloomberg)

Beacon Roofing Supply has begun reaching out to potential buyers as it seeks to counter an $11bn takeover bid from competitor QXO.

The Herndon, Virginia-based company is exploring interest from both strategic buyers and private equity firms following QXO's unsolicited offer earlier this month. Beacon rejected QXO's cash offer of $124.25 per share, stating that it undervalues the company.

Madrona announces $770m in new capital for Madrona Fund X and Acceleration Fund IV. (Press Release)

Venture capital firm Madrona announced the closing of Fund X and Acceleration Fund IV at $770m which will be deployed in the next several years in new companies and support them through their life cycle.

“We are deeply grateful to our investors who share our belief in day one investing along with a strategy that provides the best of seed and acceleration stage company building. Our 30-year strategy of delivering the Seattle perspective, recently enhanced by a strong Silicon Valley team, is highly differentiated in the venture world. This past year, we’ve witnessed an accelerating pace of innovation, and we are delighted to have these new funds to support visionary founders and teams in a 'risk on' market environment. By leveraging data and applied AI at their core, these innovators are building the transformational companies of tomorrow,” Matt McIlwain, Madrona Managing Director.

EMEA

International Paper gains EU nod for $7.2bn DS Smith buy. (Press Release)

US-based International Paper has received approval from the EU for its £5.8bn ($7.2bn) acquisition of UK competitor DS Smith after agreeing to sell certain assets to address competition concerns.

The deal is part of International Paper’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe’s paper and packaging industry amid ongoing consolidation.

DS Smith is advised by Citigroup (led by Andrew Seaton), Goldman Sachs (led by Anthony Gutman), JP Morgan (led by Richard Walsh), Slaughter & May (led by Paul Dickson), Sullivan & Cromwell (led by Melissa Sawyer) and Brunswick Group (led by Simon Sporborg). International Paper is advised by Bank of America (led by Ravi Sinha), Morgan Stanley, Sidley Austin (led by James Lowe), Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (led by Bruce Embley) and FGS Global (led by James Murgatroyd). Mondi Group is advised by Rothschild & Co (led by Neil Thwaites), UBS (led by Jonathan Rowley), Clifford Chance (led by Marc Besen), Linklaters (led by Aisling Zarraga) and FTI Consulting (led by Richard Mountain), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.

Standout Capital completes the majority investment in Tjekvik.

Standout Capital, a Sweden-based private equity firm, completed the majority investment in Tjekvik, a specialist provider of digital self-service solutions for dealer aftersales departments, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Tjekvik was advised by DC Advisory (led by Justin Pursell), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.

Monte dei Paschi to acquire Mediobanca for €13.3bn. (Reuters)

Monte dei Paschi, an Italian bank, offered to acquire Mediobanca, an investment bank, for €13.3bn ($13.9bn).

HongShan to acquire a majority stake in Marshall Group for €1.1bn.

HongShan, a venture capital and private equity firm, agreed to acquire a majority stake in Marshall Group, an audio, tech and design powerhouse, for €1.1bn ($1.15bn), according to press releases.

Triton is said to explore €2bn sale of Germany’s Kelvion. (Bloomberg)

Private equity firm Triton Partners is considering a sale of Kelvion, a German manufacturer of cooling equipment, in a deal that could be valued at over €2bn ($2.1bn).

Triton has enlisted Morgan Stanley and Guggenheim Partners to assess interest from potential buyers. Initial bids are expected to be submitted in April.

Telefónica has attracted interest from potential investors looking to acquire its Argentina unit. (Bloomberg)

In recent months, the Spanish telecom company has received preliminary inquiries from both local and international investors regarding the unit.

Historically, Telefónica has worked with Citigroup, AZ Capital, Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance, according to MergerLinks data.

Diageo weighs options for Guinness in portfolio review. (Bloomberg)

Diageo is evaluating its portfolio, including Guinness beer and its Champagne and Cognac partnership with LVMH, as CEO Debra Crew aims to reignite growth at the UK-based beverage company.

The distiller is considering various options, such as a potential spinoff or sale of Guinness, which could be valued at over $10bn. If Diageo moves forward, it may pursue a dual-track process for the beer brand, exploring a public listing while also assessing potential takeover interest.

Historically, Diageo has worked with Rothschild & Co, UBS, Sullivan & Cromwell and Herbert Smith Freehills, according to MergerLinks data.

Swedish AI startup Sana Labs targets US IPO in couple of years. (Bloomberg)

Swedish artificial intelligence startup Sana Labs plans to go public in the United States within the next few years, reflecting a broader trend of Swedish tech companies opting for North America's larger capital markets.

“The US offers a more favorable environment for tech companies on most fronts,” Joel Hellermark, Sana Labs CEO and founder.

APAC

Everstone Capital to acquire a majority stake in Wingify.

Everstone Capital, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire a majority stake in Wingify, a provider of marketing technology SaaS product, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Mitsubishi Motors considering not joining planned Nissan-Honda merger. (Reuters)

Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, a smaller partner of Nissan Motor, is reportedly considering opting out of a proposed merger between Nissan and Honda Motor.

The company intends to remain publicly listed while maintaining its collaborative partnerships with both Nissan and Honda.

Danny Gaekwad makes higher offer for Religare. (Business Standard)

Florida-based businessman Danny Gaekwad submitted a counteroffer to acquire Religare at a price of INR275 ($3.19) per share, surpassing the INR235 ($2.72) per share offer made by the Burmans of the Dabur group.

The counteroffer represents a 17% premium over the Burmans' offer and a 24% premium to the 60-day volume-weighted average price of Religare's shares. This strategic move highlights Gaekwad's intention to provide a more lucrative deal for the company's shareholders, positioning his bid as a compelling alternative to the existing open offer.

Bain-backed sustainable fuel producer EcoCeres eyes Europe IPO. (Bloomberg)

EcoCeres, a sustainable fuel producer backed by Bain Capital, is considering an initial public offering that could value the company at around $5bn.

The Hong Kong-based company is evaluating the possibility of listing on a European exchange next year, with London among the options being considered. However, they noted that EcoCeres has not entirely dismissed the idea of pursuing a listing in Hong Kong.

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