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AMERICAS

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida completes the acquisition of Villages Bancorporation for $829m.

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida, a bank holding company, completed the acquisition of Villages Bancorporation, the parent company of Citizens First Bank, for $829m, according to press releases.

Villages was advised by Hovde Group, Smith Mackinnon (led by John P. Greeley) and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (led by Igor Kirman and John L. Robinson). Seacoast was advised by Piper Sandler, Raymond James, Alston & Bird (led by Randy Moore) and Sachs Media, according to MergerLinks data and press releases.

Axcelis Technologies to merge with Veeco Instruments in a $4.4bn deal.

Axcelis Technologies, a company engaging in the design, manufacture, and servicing of capital equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, agreed to merge with Veeco Instruments, a manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment, in a $4.4bn deal, according to press releases.

Veeco is advised by UBS, Morrison Foerster and Collected Strategies (led by Ed Hammond and Jim Golden). Financial advisor is advised by Sullivan & Cromwell (led by Stephen M. Kotran). Axcelis is advised by JP Morgan, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Joele Frank (led by Andrew B. Siegel and Mahmoud Siddig), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.

Sherwin-Williams completes the acquisition of the Brazilian architectural paints business from BASF for $1.15bn.

Sherwin-Williams, a global company in the development, manufacture and sale of coatings and related products, completed the acquisition of the Brazilian architectural paints business from BASF, a chemical producer, for $1.15bn, according to press releases.

Sherwin-Williams was advised by Citigroup (led by Paul Smith), Barbosa Mussnich & Aragao (BMA Advogados) and Jones Day (led by S. Wade Angus). BASF was advised by Deutsche Bank, Linklaters (led by Tim Johannsen-Roth) and Todorov Giannini & Nisiyama (TG&N), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.

Chimera Investment completes the acquisition of HomeXpress Mortgage from Seer Capital for $263m.

Chimera Investment, a real estate investment trust, completed the acquisition of HomeXpress Mortgage, a mortgage lending company, from Seer Capital, a diversified, credit-focused investment firm, for $263m, according to press releases.

HomeXpress Mortgage was advised by Piper Sandler and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton (led by David Sands). Chimera was advised by Wells Fargo Securities, Alston & Bird (led by Stephen Ornstein) and Hunton Andrews Kurth (led by Austin Maloney). Seer Capital was advised by Mayer Brown (led by Lauren B. Pryor), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.

JTB completes the acquisition of Northstar Travel Group from EagleTree Capital.

JTB, a Japan travel solutions provider, completed the acquisition of Northstar Travel Group, a B2B travel industry events, media and information services company, from EagleTree Capital, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Northstar Travel Group was advised by BrightTower (led by Amir Akhavan) and Jones Day (led by Andrew M. Levine and Emily Cai). JTB was advised by SMBC Nikko Securities, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto and Venable. EagleTree was advised by BrightTower (led by Amir Akhavan), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Future Standard to acquire the digital infrastructure platform of Post Road Group.

Future Standard, a global alternative asset manager, agreed to acquire the digital infrastructure platform of Post Road Group, an alternative investment manager, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Future Standard is advised by Vaxa Partners and Cravath Swaine & Moore (led by Aaron Gruber). Post Road Group is advised by Berkshire Global Advisors, Kirkland & Ellis and Profile Advisors (led by Mike Geller), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Workday completes the acquisition of Paradox.

Workday, an AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, completed the acquisition of Paradox, a candidate experience agent, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Paradox was advised by Qatalyst Partners and DLA Piper. Workday was advised by Morgan Stanley, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Joele Frank (led by Jed Repko), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Pacific Avenue Capital completes the acquisition of the self service segment from LKQ Corporation for $410m.

Pacific Avenue Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, completed the acquisition of the self service segment from LKQ Corporation, a provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles, for $410m, according to press releases.

LKQ was advised by Jefferies & Company and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (led by Mark Stagliano). Financial advisor was advised by White & Case (led by Denise A. Cerasani), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Prosperity Bancshares to acquire Southwest Bancshares for $269m.

Prosperity Bancshares, a bank holding company, agreed to acquire Southwest Bancshares, a banking company, for $269m, according to press releases.

Southwest Bancshares is advised by Stephens and Fenimore Kay Harrison & Ford. Prosperity Bancshares is advised by Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (led by Edward D. Herlihy), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

SmartStop Self Storage completes the acquisition of Argus Professional Storage Management.

SmartStop Self Storage, a real estate investment trust, completed the acquisition of Argus Professional Storage Management, a self-storage third-party management company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Argus was advised by Fennemore. SmartStop was advised by BMO Capital Markets and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, according to press releases.

TMX Group completes the acquisition of Verity from Resurgens Technology Partners.

TMX Group, a Canadian financial services company, completed the acquisition of Verity, a buy-side investment research management system, data, and analytics provider, from Resurgens Technology Partners, a tech-focused private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Verity was advised by Solomon Partners and DLA Piper. Resurgens was advised by Profile Advisors (led by Edward Lopez), according to press releases.

MidOcean Energy to acquire a 20% stake in North Montney upstream joint venture and North Montney LNG Limited Partnership from PETRONAS.

MidOcean Energy, a liquefied natural gas company formed and managed by EIG, agreed to acquire a 20% stake in North Montney upstream joint venture and North Montney LNG Limited Partnership from PETRONAS, a global energy group, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

MidOcean Energy is advised by RBC Capital Markets, Latham & Watkins and FGS Global (led by Kelly Kimberly), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

AMG to invest in BBH Credit Partners.

AMG, a global asset management company, agreed to invest in BBH Credit Partners, a new subsidiary of Brown Brothers Harriman, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

AMG is advised by Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison (led by David Hepp and Matthew Collin). BBH is advised by Prosek Partners (led by Brian Janson), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

QHP Capital completes the investment in Vector Clinical Trials.

QHP Capital, an investment company, completed the investment in Vector Clinical Trials, a dedicated clinical research site network, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Vector was advised by Cantor Fitzgerald. QHP Capital was advised by Ropes & Gray, according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Palm Peak Capital completes the acquisition of Domaille Engineering.

Palm Peak Capital, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of Domaille Engineering, a provider of highly advanced equipment and related accessories, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Domaille was advised by Lincoln International, according to press releases.

Theatre Capital completes the acquisition of AllPaid.

Theatre Capital, a holding company focused on making transformative growth investments in technology companies, completed the acquisition of AllPaid, a secure, single-source payment platform, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

BlackRock’s GIP nears $38bn takeover of utility AES. (FT)

BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners is nearing a $38bn deal to acquire utility group AES, in what would rank among the largest infrastructure takeovers of all time. GIP, a specialist in infrastructure investments, owns stakes in London’s Gatwick Airport and major pipeline networks in the US and Middle East.

The transaction would value AES at around $38bn including debt. Talks are at an advanced stage, though no final agreement has been reached and discussions could still collapse. If completed, the deal would significantly expand GIP’s global utility portfolio and strengthen its position in the energy infrastructure sector.

KKR explores $7bn sale of stake in Canada's Pembina Gas Infrastructure. (Reuters)

KKR is exploring a sale of its 40% stake in Pembina Gas Infrastructure, with the holding in the Canadian midstream operator expected to be valued at about $7bn. The investment firm formed the joint venture in 2022 with Pembina Pipeline.

Pembina Gas Infrastructure owns natural gas and natural gas liquids transportation, processing and storage assets across western Canada. Discussions are ongoing and may not result in a finalized transaction.

Yahoo nears deal to sell AOL to Italy's Bending Spoons for $1.4bn. (Reuters)

Yahoo is in advanced talks to sell AOL to Italian technology company Bending Spoons in a deal valued at about $1.4bn. The transaction would mark the divestment of one of the most recognizable names of the early internet era by the Apollo Global Management-backed firm.

The Milan-based app developer is negotiating the purchase of the legacy media brand, though no final agreement has been reached and discussions could still collapse.

EMEA

Antin Infrastructure Partners to acquire a majority stake in Swiftair Group.

Antin Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire a majority stake in Swiftair Group, a provider of aircraft leasing and air transportation solutions for time-critical cargo, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Swiftair is advised by Morgan Stanley, CMS Legal and Llorente Y Cuenca (LLYC) (led by Valvanera Lecha). Antin is advised by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), Deutsche Bank, Perez Llorca and Brunswick Group (led by Tristan Roquet Montegon), according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

Retelit completes the acquisition of Italian domestic operations of BT Group.

Retelit, a provider of infrastructure, services, and ICT solutions, completed the acquisition of Italian domestic operations of BT Group, a British telecommunications holding company, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Retelit was advised by BonelliErede (led by Gianfranco Veneziano). BT Group was advised by Jefferies & Company, according to press releases and MergerLinks data.

3i said to mull options including sale of French IT firm Evernex. (Bloomberg)

3i Group is exploring exit options, including a sale, for Evernex, a French provider of third-party maintenance services for data center infrastructure. The investment firm is working with Bank of America on the potential deal, though discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been made.

Evernex could be valued at €1.2bn ($1.4bn) to €1.5bn ($1.76bn) in a sale. The move reflects growing investor interest in data center support services amid rising demand for digital infrastructure.

Germany's Siemens studies spinoff of Healthineers stake. (Bloomberg)

Siemens is exploring the spinoff of a significant portion of its majority stake in Frankfurt-listed medical equipment unit Siemens Healthineers in a relatively untested structure. The conglomerate has been in talks with potential advisers on exit options for its 71% stake, though discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been made.

The company is considering distributing the shares to investors as a dividend. The move would allow Siemens to unlock value while maintaining a strategic interest in the healthcare unit.

Ontario Teachers' eyes Logoplaste exit at $2bn valuation. (Bloomberg)

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board is exploring a sale of Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste, which could be valued at more than €1.7bn ($2bn). The Canadian pension fund holds a 60% stake in the company and has appointed banks to advise on a potential sale of the entire business.

A transaction could be completed as soon as 2026, though discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been made. The move highlights growing investor interest in packaging and industrial manufacturing assets in Europe.

Biotechnology firm Galapagos receives offers for cell therapy business. (Press Release)

Biotechnology firm Galapagos has received non-binding offers from several groups, primarily financial investors, for its cell therapy business. The Amsterdam-listed company began exploring options for the unit in May, reflecting growing interest in the cell therapy sector.

The board will evaluate possibilities, including a sale or divestment, depending on additional offers received. A final decision is expected by November 5, with discussions ongoing.

Stellantis said to explore sale of car-sharing unit Free2move. (Bloomberg)

Stellantis is exploring a potential sale of its car-sharing business Free2move as Chief Executive Officer Antonio Filosa seeks to restructure the automaker. The company has reached out to potential buyers for the unit, though considerations are still at an early stage.

There is no certainty a deal will occur, and discussions remain ongoing. The move forms part of broader efforts to improve operational efficiency and focus on core automotive businesses.

Billionaire Kretinsky exits Thyssenkrupp steel unit as talks end. (Bloomberg)

Thyssenkrupp and Czech industrialist Daniel Kretinsky have ended talks over his potential investment in the German conglomerate’s European steel unit, clearing the way for rival suitor Jindal. Kretinsky’s EP Group had acquired a 20% stake in the division in 2024 as part of discussions over a possible 50-50 joint venture.

EP Group will return its holding, with Thyssenkrupp reimbursing the purchase price. The move allows the company to explore alternative strategic partnerships for its steel operations in Europe.

Armani has approached potential buyers over stake sale. (Reuters)

Armani representatives have approached potential buyers for a minority stake in the Italian fashion group, effectively starting an auction for a portion of the company weeks after the designer’s death. L’Oreal is among the firms contacted, though no final decision has been made and discussions are ongoing.

Private equity bidders have not yet been solicited as potential buyers. The move reflects growing interest in high-end fashion brands and the continued appeal of legacy luxury names.

Josh Harris's firm in talks to take control of Aga cooker business. (FT)

Billionaire US investor Josh Harris’ firm could take control of the business behind Aga cookers, the cast-iron stoves popular in British farmhouse kitchens. Harris’s new vehicle, 26North, is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Middleby’s residential kitchen equipment unit.

Middleby, facing pressure from activist investor Garden Investments, plans to spin off the division into a joint venture. Discussions are ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached.

BASF eyes pulling forward €4bn share buyback program. (Bloomberg)

BASF may begin a buyback of at least €4bn ($4.7bn) in shares earlier than planned as Europe’s largest chemicals maker looks to support its stock price amid weak industry demand. The company had previously scheduled the repurchase for 2027 but could accelerate it depending on the potential sale or spinoff of its coatings business, which generated €3.8bn ($4.46bn) in revenue in 2024.

BASF confirmed it remains confident in achieving its financial targets for 2028, highlighting resilience despite challenging market conditions. Shares rose as much as 2.6% in Frankfurt following the announcement, reflecting investor approval of the plan.

Shawbrook to weigh London IPO filing in coming days. (Bloomberg)

Shawbrook Group, the British bank backed by BC Partners and Pollen Street, is considering a potential initial public offering in London in the coming days. No final decisions have been made and plans could still change, with discussions ongoing.

The move would mark a significant step for the bank as it explores public market funding.

Google Translate rival DeepL explores US IPO. (Bloomberg)

German artificial intelligence language platform DeepL is exploring a potential initial public offering in the US. The Cologne-based company has held preliminary discussions with potential advisers as it evaluates the timing and structure of a first-time share sale.

The IPO could take place in 2026, though no final decision has been made and discussions remain ongoing. The move reflects growing investor interest in AI and language technology companies.

APAC

US offers to buy stakes in Australian critical minerals companies. (Reuters)

The US government has offered to buy equity in Australian critical minerals companies as part of a funding package to expand supply and reduce reliance on China. The proposal forms part of a broader effort to secure access to resources vital for clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

The initiative is aimed at building alternative supply chains after China, the dominant producer of most critical minerals, restricted exports of rare earths and permanent magnets in response to US tariffs. The move has disrupted US and European automakers, increasing pressure on Washington to diversify supply.

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