IBM completes the acquisition of Confluent in a $11bn deal.

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AMERICAS

Tinicum completes the acquisition of the aerospace segment from TriMas for $1.45bn.

Tinicum, a private investment firm, completed the acquisition of the aerospace segment from TriMas, a company that designs and manufactures a diverse set of products primarily for the consumer products, aerospace and industrial markets, for $1.45bn, according to press releases

Tinicum was advised by Solomon Partners (led by Larry Gelwix), Goodwin Procter (led by Peter Hanoian and Chris Wilson) and Kirkland & Ellis (led by Kevin F. Jacobsen, Christopher Burwell and Peter Martelli). TriMas was advised by Bank of America (led by Gregg Polle), PJT Partners (led by Karl Knapp) and Jones Day (led by Brian R. Grady and Randi C. Lesnick), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Abra to go public via SPAC merger with New Providence Acquisition Corp III.

Abra, a provider of institutional-grade digital asset custody, trading, yield and collateralized lending services, agreed to go public via SPAC merger with New Providence Acquisition Corp III, a special purpose acquisition company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Abra is advised by Cantor Fitzgerald, Goodwin Procter and Wachsman. Cantor Fitzgerald is advised by Kirkland & Ellis. New Providence Acquisition Corp III is advised by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole (led by David Landau, Stuart Neuhauser, Douglas Ellenoff and Meredith Laitner) and Ogier, according to press releases.

Community West Bancshares receives regulatory approvals to merge with United Security Bancshares. (Press Release)

Community West Bancshares and United Security Bancshares, announced on the 17th of March that the required regulatory approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, as well as a waiver from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, have been received pursuant to the proposed merger in which United Security Bancshares will merge with and into Community West Bancshares as the surviving company, and United Security Bank will merge with and into Community West Bank.

Community West Bancshares is advised by Janney Montgomery Scott and Otteson Shapiro. United Security Bancshares is advised by Piper Sandler, Stuart Moore Staub and Cohen Communications (led by Debbie Nalchajian-Cohen), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Nscale to acquire American Intelligence & Power Corporation from Fidelis New Energy.

Nscale, a hyperscaler engineered for enterprise-grade AI infrastructure, delivering compute to the generative AI market at scale, agreed to acquire American Intelligence & Power Corporation, the legislatively authorized non-jurisdictional AI microgrid from Fidelis New Energy, a company that develops, owns, and operates energy and carbon‑management infrastructure, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nscale is advised by Morgan Stanley and Latham & Watkins. American Intelligence & Power Corporation is advised by Greenhill & Co. Fidelis New Energy is advised by Vinson & Elkins (led by Milam Newby and Creighton Smith), according to press releases.

Nofar USA completes the acquisition of a portfolio 1GW of utility-scale solar projects from PINE GATE RENEWABLES for $285m.

Nofar USA, a company specializing in solar and energy storage development, completed the acquisition of a 1 GW portfolio of utility-scale solar projects from Pine Gate Renewables, a developer and owner-operator of utility-scale solar and energy storage projects, for $285m, according to press releases

Nofar USA was advised by BNP Paribas and Clifford Chance (led by Shellka Arora-Cox), according to press releases.

Lockwood Group-backed Nexus Health completes the acquisition of Stratis Group.

Lockwood Group-backed Nexus Health, a provider of market access and commercial consulting services to biopharma and other healthcare organizations, completed the acquisition of Stratis Group, a consulting firm specializing in commercialization strategy, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Stratis Group was advised by Clearsight Advisors and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, according to press releases.

Inverness Graham completes the acquisition of Axcel Learning.

Inverness Graham, an operationally focused private investment firm, completed the acquisition of Axcel Learning, a professional education platform that focuses on training the modern workforce, particularly in industries facing talent shortages, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Inverness Graham was advised by McDermott Will & Schulte. Axcel Learning was advised by Houlihan Lokey, according to press releases.

AeroVironment completes the acquisition of Empirical Systems Aerospace for $200m.

AeroVironment, an American defense contractor that designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles, completed the acquisition of Empirical Systems Aerospace, a manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems and advanced aerospace technologies for commercial and military applications, for $200m, according to press releases.

AeroVironment was advised by Joele Frank (led by Joseph Sala), according to MergerLinks data.

iCapital completes the acquisition of Hexure.

iCapital, a global fintech company that provides a digital platform connecting wealth managers and financial advisors to alternative investments, completed the acquisition of Hexure, a provider of digital and AI-powered sales automation solutions for insurance, financial services, and wealth management, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

iCapital was advised by Bank of America, according to press releases.

Celero Commerce completes the acquisition of Petroleum Processing Solutions.

Celero Commerce, a full-service, integrated electronic commerce solutions provider powered by edge technology, completed the acquisition of Petroleum Processing Solutions, a merchant services company providing pay-at-the-pump processing for unbranded, independent gas stations, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Petroleum Processing Solutions was advised by Wellesley Hills, according to press releases.

Petrobras to acquire the remaining 50% stake in the Campo basin assets of Petronas for $450m.

Petrobras, a Brazilian partially state-owned oil and gas corporation, agreed to acquire the remaining 50% stake in the Campo basin assets of Petronas, a Malaysian oil and gas company, for $450m, according to press releases.

Synergie completes the acquisition of a majority stake in Agilus Work Solutions.

Synergie, a major international human resources group, completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Agilus Work Solutions, a Canadian full-service recruitment firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Synergie was advised by BMO Capital Markets, according to press releases.

Cyber startup Tailscale turns to M&A as AI agents flood networks. (Bloomberg)

Tailscale, a Canadian cybersecurity startup, has acquired Vancouver‑based Border0 in its first acquisition, adding technology designed to help businesses manage the growing use of artificial‑intelligence agents within digital systems.

Border0 provides tools that manage and monitor access to servers and databases, an area known as privileged access management. The capability has gained importance as autonomous AI tools introduce new security challenges, stated Avery Pennarun, Tailscale Co‑Founder and Chief Executive.

Warburg eyes $2.5bn sale of auto lender Exeter. (Bloomberg)

Warburg Pincus is in the early stages of considering a sale of subprime auto lender Exeter Finance in a transaction that could value the company at about $2.5bn to $3bn.

The New York‑based private‑equity firm is working with advisers to explore potential buyers and is also evaluating a possible initial public offering for Exeter. No decision has been made, and deliberations are ongoing.

Novartis sells $11bn bonds to fund Avidity acquisition. (Bloomberg)

Novartis has raised $11bn to help finance its acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, adding to a wave of bond sales linked to takeover activity.

A unit of the Swiss drugmaker issued investment‑grade US dollar bonds across seven tranches with maturities ranging from three to 30 years. A planned five‑year floating‑rate note was dropped during syndication.

OpenAI in talks for $10bn joint venture with PE firms. (Bloomberg)

OpenAI is in advanced discussions to form a joint venture with private‑equity firms including TPG, Brookfield Asset Management and Bain Capital that would focus on expanding adoption of its artificial‑intelligence software.

The proposed joint venture would have a pre‑money valuation of about $10bn, with the private‑equity firms committing roughly $4bn to the project. Terms are still under discussion and have not been finalized.

Iran war spurs a surge in stock sales from US shale companies. (Bloomberg)

Equity sales by US‑listed oil and gas producers are making March the sector’s busiest month in more than six years, as conflict involving Iran has increased market volatility and slowed capital‑raising activity in other industries.

With West Texas Intermediate crude prices at times exceeding $100 a barrel, investors have directed fresh capital toward energy stocks. Oil and gas companies have raised about $3.5bn through share offerings so far this month.

EMEA

Victory Capital submits a revised proposal to acquire Janus Henderson. (Press Release)

Victory Capital Holdings sent on the 17th of March to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Janus Henderson a revised proposal to acquire Janus Henderson. Under the revised proposal, Janus Henderson shareholders would receive $40.00 per share in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.250 shares of Victory Capital common stock for each Janus Henderson share owned, translating to 31% ownership in a combined asset manager.

Victory Capital is advised by PJT Partners, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Joele Frank (led by Andrew Brimmer). Janus Henderson is advised by Morgan Stanley, according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Mastercard to acquire BVNK for $1.8bn.

Mastercard, a multinational financial services corporation that provides payment processing services, agreed to acquire BVNK, a fintech company that provides a global payments platform specializing in stablecoin transactions, for $1.8bn, according to press releases.

Nuwellis completes the acquisition of Rendiatech.

Nuwellis, a medical technology company, completed the acquisition of Rendiatech, a medical device company dedicated to real-time renal diagnostics, according to press releases. Financial terms are not disclosed.

Kone in talks to acquire rival TK Elevator. (Bloomberg)

Kone is in talks to acquire TK Elevator, which has been preparing for an initial public offering.

TK Elevator’s owners have been seeking a valuation of up to €25bn ($28.7bn), including debt, in a potential transaction.

Spanish Youth Hostel Group Eyes London Real Estate Deals. (Bloomberg)

Room00, a Spanish youth hostel operator backed by King Street Capital Management, plans to enter the UK market with property acquisitions in central London.

The Madrid‑based company aims to invest €50m ($57.5m) to €80m ($91.8m) to acquire five sites in Bloomsbury, Paddington, St Paul’s and Victoria. The purchases form part of a broader expansion plan that includes investing €350m ($401.6m) to €420m ($481.9m) in 2026 across Spain, Portugal, Italy and London.

Congo OKs US firm’s deal for cobalt miner in minerals pact boost. (Bloomberg)

The Democratic Republic of Congo has indicated it will approve Virtus Minerals’s acquisition of copper and cobalt producer Chemaf, a transaction that would strengthen ties between the US company and the Congolese government.

Mines Minister Louis Watum informed Virtus that the state is granting approval for the agreed takeover. Chemaf was put up for sale in 2023 after facing financial difficulties during the development of one of the world’s largest cobalt projects.

BNP Paribas targets €350bn inflows after Axa IM deal. (Bloomberg)

BNP Paribas expects its asset‑management business to attract €350bn ($400bn) of net inflows by 2030 following the acquisition of Axa's investment unit.

The inflows are expected to support annual growth in assets under management of more than 5%. Revenue at the unit is projected to increase by about 4% per year between 2025 and 2030, while operating expenses are expected to remain flat, the bank said in a statement outlining its financial targets.

Greek billionaire-backed oil tanker owner falls after Oslo IPO. (Bloomberg)

Capital Tankers’s shares fell in their Oslo debut as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global oil transport and weighed on market sentiment.

The crude‑tanker owner, backed by Capital Maritime & Trading, raised about NOK4.2bn ($440m) to fund new vessels. The stock declined as much as 12% to NOK118 ($12.2) per share after the company sold 31.05m shares at NOK134 ($13.8) each in its initial public offering, with an additional 4.65m shares available under an overallotment option.

Cantor hires Kelly from Barclays as NY advisory sales Co-Head. (Bloomberg)

Cantor Fitzgerald has hired Joe Kelly from Barclays to co‑lead advisory sales in New York as part of a broader effort to strengthen the business.

Kelly will run the advisory unit alongside Jared Demark, with both reporting to Alexander Englander, Cantor’s global head of equity distribution, a draft internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg News showed.

APAC

BNP Cardif is said to near deal for Warburg Pincus stake in IndiaFirst Life Insurance. (Bloomberg)

BNP Paribas’s insurance arm is close to an agreement to acquire a minority stake in IndiaFirst Life Insurance, a move that would expand the bank’s presence in South Asia.

BNP Paribas Cardif is in advanced discussions to buy Warburg Pincus’ 26% stake in the insurer in a transaction that could value IndiaFirst at about $350m. Talks are ongoing and the terms have not yet been finalized.

Gold lender Muthoot FinCorp said to plan $300m India IPO. (Bloomberg)

Muthoot FinCorp, a gold‑loan lender, is planning an initial public offering that could raise up to $300m.

The company, the flagship of Kerala‑based Muthoot Pappachan Group, is in discussions with banks to advise on the offering, with formal appointments expected shortly.

China clamps down on key route to Hong Kong IPOs after deal boom. (Bloomberg)

Chinese authorities are tightening restrictions on companies incorporated overseas seeking initial public offerings in Hong Kong, a shift that could disrupt a long‑standing route for raising capital that has generated billions of dollars in share sales.

While not imposing a formal ban, regulators have recently discouraged IPO applications from so‑called red‑chip companies — firms registered outside China but with assets and operations on the mainland. Some companies have been asked by the Chinese securities regulator to restructure before proceeding with Hong Kong listings.

JP Morgan hires Goldman’s Zhang to Co-Head China IB business. (Bloomberg)

JP Morgan has hired Zhang Yi to co‑head its China investment‑banking business alongside Michelle Wang.

Zhang is joining from Goldman Sachs, which has seen the departure of two senior China bankers in recent months. He is set to start in the role in the summer of 2026.

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