ServiceNow completes the acquisition of Armis from Goldman Sachs Asset Management for $7.75bn.

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AMERICAS

Peoples Bancorp to merge with Citizens Bank of Kentucky in a $76.6m deal.

Peoples Bancorp, the parent company of Peoples Bank, agreed to merge with Citizens Bank of Kentucky, an independently owned and operated community banks in Kentucky, in a $76.6m deal, according to press releases.

Citizens Bank of Kentucky is advised by Forvis Mazars, Hovde Group and FBT Gibbons. Peoples Bancorp is advised by Raymond James and Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease, according to press releases.

United Community Banks to merge with Peach State Bancshares in a $100.8m deal.

United Community Banks, the bank holding company, agreed to merge with Peach State Bancshares, a community bank providing retail and commercial banking services, in a $100.8m deal, according to press releases.

Peach State Bancshares is advised by Piper Sandler and Alston & Bird. United Community Banks is advised by Hovde Group and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (led by Brandon C. Price), according to press releases.

Nexus Capital-backed Laird Superfood completes the acquisition of Terrasoul Superfoods for $48m.

Nexus Capital-backed Laird Superfood, a company specialising in plant-based superfood products, completed the acquisition of Terrasoul Superfoods, a vertically integrated, branded foods platform focused on superfood products, including nuts, seeds, dried fruits, powders, baking ingredients, and functional beverage mix-ins, for $48m, according to press releases.

Terrasoul was advised by Steptoe and Aspect Consumer Partners. Laird Superfood was advised by Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, according to press releases.

Renovus Capital Partners-backed F2 Strategy completes the acquisition of Meradia.

Renovus Capital Partners-backed F2 Strategy, a business and digital transformation services firm, completed the acquisition of Meradia, a provider of investment management operations and technology consulting, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

F2 Strategy was advised by StreetCred PR, according to press releases.

Excelsior Energy Capital-backed Lydian Energy completes the acquisition of the Atlas North portfolio of Hanwha Renewables.

Excelsior Energy Capital-backed Lydian Energy, a company that specializes in developing utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system projects across North America, completed the acquisition of the Atlas North portfolio of Hanwha Renewables, a US utility-scale energy developer advancing solar and battery energy storage projects across key markets, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Excelsior Energy Capital is advised by Gregory FCA, according to press releases.

Innovex completes the acquisition of Drilling Innovative Solutions.

Innovex, a company that designs, manufactures, sells, and rents oilfield equipment, completed the acquisition of Drilling Innovative Solutions, a company that manufactures and distributes patented oilfield drilling tools and cement float equipment, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Drilling Innovative Solutions is advised by Freitag & Co, according to press releases.

Acorn Capital Management to acquire a majority stake in MTI Aviation.

Acorn Capital Management, a private equity firm investing exclusively in the aerospace, defense, intelligence, and space sectors, agreed to acquire a majority stake in MTI Aviation, a provider of repair, overhaul and parts distribution services, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

PSG Equity-backed Protecht completes the acquisition of VISO TRUST.

PSG Equity-backed Protecht, a company that provides enterprise risk management software and solutions, completed the acquisition of VISO TRUST, an AI-powered, third-party cyber risk management platform that automates vendor risk assessments and provides continuous monitoring, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nexus Capital completes a $60m investment in Laird Superfood.

Nexus Capital, an investment firm, completed a $60m investment in Laird Superfood, a company specialising in plant-based superfood products, according to press releases.

Caesars extends talks for $18bn takeover by Golden Nugget owner. (Bloomberg)

Caesars Entertainment has extended a period of exclusive talks regarding a potential $18bn takeover by Tilman Fertitta as discussions continue.

Fertitta, owner of the Golden Nugget casino chain, has been in talks to acquire Caesars at about $32 per share. While there is no certainty that an agreement will be reached, negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Sunshine Silver weighs $400m IPO to fund reopening of Idaho mine. (Bloomberg)

Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining is pursuing an initial public offering to support the reopening of an Idaho mine, adding to a growing pipeline of mining listings amid elevated metals prices.

The US‑based company is working with Bank of Nova Scotia and Bank of Montreal on the proposed listing. The offering could raise about $400m, though plans remain under review.

Polymarket in talks for new investment at $15bn valuation. (Bloomberg)

Polymarket is seeking to raise an additional $400m in funding after securing $600m at a $15bn valuation last month.

The new round would further increase the prediction‑market startup’s valuation from $9bn last year, when Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, acquired a $1bn stake. Despite the increase, Polymarket’s valuation remains below the $22bn level achieved by rival Kalshi in a recent $1bn fundraising.

Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO - as tech giant names successor. (SkyNews)

Apple said Tim Cook will step down as chief executive officer and be succeeded by John Ternus. Cook will transition to the role of executive chairman.

Cook joined Apple in 1998 and has served as chief executive for nearly 15 years after succeeding Steve Jobs. His move marks a leadership transition at the company’s top level.

EMEA

Associated British Foods to demerge its Primark and Food business.

Associated British Foods, a multinational food processing and retailing company that offers groceries, ingredients, sugar, and agricultural products, agreed to demerge its Primark, an international fast-fashion retailer, and Food business, according to press releases.

Associated British Foods is advised by Barclays (led by Nicola Tennent), Rothschild & Co (led by Akeel Sachak), UBS (led by Craig Calvert), and Brunswick Group (led by Susan Georgina Gilchrist), according to press releases.

Bridgepoint-backed LumApps to acquire Comeen.

Bridgepoint-backed LumApps, a connected AI employee hub, agreed to acquire Comeen, the workplace experience platform specializing in space management, digital signage and visitor services, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Comeen is advised by Gide Loyrette Nouel (led by Louis Oudot de Dainville). LumApps is advised by Squire Patton Boggs (led by Anthony Guillaume) and PANBlast, according to press releases.

Asyad Group to acquire Ligentia.

Asyad Group, a global integrated logistics provider, agreed to acquire Ligentia, a UK-based tech-enabled supply chain services provider, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Asyad Group is advised by Kensho Mindful Communications, according to press releases.

Enagás to acquire a 31.5% stake in Teréga from CIG for €573m.

Enagás, a Spanish energy company and European transmission system operator, agreed to acquire a 31.5% stake in Teréga, a French company specializing in natural gas transmission and underground storage, from CIG, a sovereign wealth fund, for €573m ($674m), according to press releases.

HY24 completes the acquisition of a 40% stake in Enagás Renovable for €48m.

HY24, a private equity asset manager dedicated exclusively to advancing the global clean‑hydrogen economy, completed the acquisition of a 40% stake in Enagás Renovable, a Spanish developer of renewable gas projects, from Enagás, an energy company, for €48m ($56m), according to press releases.

Airbus to acquire Quarkslab.

Airbus, an aerospace products provider, agreed to acquire Quarkslab, a French cybersecurity company specializing in advanced offensive and defensive security, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Estee Lauder taps JP Morgan to finance Puig takeover bid. (Reuters)

Estée Lauder has mandated JP Morgan to structure a financing package of about €5bn ($5.89bn) to support a potential takeover bid for Spanish beauty group Puig.

Last month, Estée Lauder and Puig said they were exploring a transaction that would combine their businesses. A deal would bring together a portfolio of premium beauty brands including Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier and Clinique.

Boots owners hire consultants for overhaul before possible London IPO in 2027. (Reuters)

The owners of British pharmacy chain Boots are working with advisers on a potential strategy overhaul as they prepare for a possible London stock market listing that could take place as early as 2027.

Boots and its private‑equity owner, Sycamore Partners, have held recent discussions with advisers about an initial public offering.

France's Engie discussing refund for offshore wind projects with Trump administration. (Reuters)

Engie is in discussions with the US administration regarding a potential refund linked to its offshore wind project leases amid the government’s opposition to the technology.

Any agreement would follow a move by TotalEnergies to redirect nearly €850m (about $1bn) from offshore wind leases toward oil and natural gas production in the US.

APAC

Dark Horse Consulting Group completes the acquisition of CJ PARTNERS.

Dark Horse Consulting Group, a global consulting firm, completed the acquisition of CJ PARTNERS, a life-science consultancy that advises biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.

CJ PARTNERS was advised by Kagayaki Law Office. Dark Horse Consulting Group was advised by Fenwick & West, according to press releases.

Victory Giant surges in debut after biggest Hong Kong listing this year. (Bloomberg)

Victory Giant Technology Huizhou, a Chinese supplier to Nvidia, rose about 50% in its Hong Kong trading debut after raising $2.6bn in the city’s largest listing in seven months.

The shares closed at HKD315 ($40.2) on 21st April, compared with an offer price of HKD209.88 ($26.8). The IPO was priced at the top of the range and attracted 37 cornerstone investors, who purchased about $997m of shares and agreed to hold them for at least six months. The stock had risen as much as 74% in grey‑market trading ahead of the debut.

Inox Clean is said to revive plan for up to $1bn India IPO. (Bloomberg)

Inox Clean Energy has revived plans for an initial public offering that could raise up to $1bn.

The company is holding discussions with banks and is preparing to file draft offering documents in the near term as it advances the listing process.

EQT raises record $15.6bn for Asia private equity fund. (Bloomberg)

EQT has raised $15.6bn for its latest Asia‑focused private‑equity fund, marking the firm’s largest pool of capital dedicated to the region as global investors look beyond the US amid heightened uncertainty.

The US remains the largest source of commitments, accounting for about 30% of the fund. Allocations from Asia and Europe grew more rapidly on a relative basis, with the three regions together representing roughly 80% of total capital, while the remainder came from the Middle East and private‑wealth channels.

Chinese manufacturing growth overtaken by finance amid IPO boom. (Bloomberg)

Growth in China’s manufacturing sector lagged the finance industry for the first time in years, supported by capital raised through share sales during a quarter that saw an unexpected economic rebound.

With gross domestic product expanding 5% in the first quarter, both finance and manufacturing outpaced overall economic growth, recording year‑on‑year increases of 6.5% and 6.3%, respectively. By contrast, growth slowed in consumer‑oriented sectors such as hotels and catering services, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

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