EU Banking M&A Hits Post-Crisis High as US Automakers Brace for Chinese Competition

Banking Industry - The European financial landscape is experiencing its most rapid consolidation in nearly two decades, highlighted by Nuveen's £9.9 billion takeover of Schroders, marking the end of the British firm's 222 years of independence [2] - Analysts at RBC Capital downgraded Schroders to Sector Perform from Outperform, raising the target price to 610p, indicating limited remaining upside as shares trade near the implied deal value [2] - EU banking M&A has surged to its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with February 2026 deal volume surpassing $60 billion [9] Automotive Industry - American automotive giants, including Ford and General Motors, are concerned about the rapid expansion of Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD and Geely, which are exploring joint ventures to produce cars domestically in the U.S. [4] - Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed mixed feelings about the efficiency of Chinese manufacturing, particularly after Xiaomi's EV success, warning that U.S. manufacturers must adopt similar techniques or face potential bankruptcies [5] Gold Market - The price of gold has reached unprecedented heights, recently exceeding $5,066 per ounce, driven by a "flight to safety" amid geopolitical instability [6] - The surge in gold prices has created challenges for the security industry, as the total value of bullion in vaults now exceeds the maximum limits of their insurance policies [7] Defense Industry - Germany is shifting its €108 billion defense budget towards high-tech autonomous systems and AI, responding to internal pressure to move away from traditional military investments [10] - The German government has approved a record €82.7 billion regular defense budget for 2026, with a focus on increasing funding for defense technology, including AI-powered drones [10] Legal and Regulatory Issues - The founders of Turkish delivery firm Getir have filed a $700 million lawsuit against Mubadala, alleging a breach of agreement during the restructuring of the company's assets [11] - The UK government is advancing plans to ban social media for teenagers under 16, aiming to address mental health concerns, which has drawn criticism from tech platforms [12]