Webber Wentzel and Blake Cassels & Graydon topped the legal advisers charts for metals and mining sector mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2025 in terms of value and volume, respectively, based on a league table from data analytics company GlobalData. According to GlobalData's Financial Deals Database, Webber Wentzel lead by value, advising on deals totalling $20bn. Blake Cassels & Graydon secured its lead position by volume with guidance on 23 transactions. In terms of deal value, Latham & Watkins sec ...

Core Insights - The global rare earth element (REE) refining and separation capacities are highly concentrated, primarily in China, which poses risks for downstream manufacturers regarding lead times and supply continuity [1][2] - China has established significant dominance in the REE market through substantial investments, controlling approximately 70% of global REE extraction, 90% of separation and processing, and 93% of magnet manufacturing [2][3] - Europe is currently highly dependent on China for its REE supply, with efforts underway to reduce this dependency through various initiatives and investments [5][14] Group 1: China's Dominance in REE - China has invested between $9 billion and $10 billion in rare earth companies from 2010 to 2019, focusing on downstream operations, which has led to its control of 85%-90% of global rare earth refining capacity by 2019 [2][4] - The Chinese government has implemented a quota system and export controls, further solidifying its dominance in the REE market [10][11] - China's geographical advantages, including significant deposits and lower operational costs due to less stringent environmental regulations, contribute to its competitive edge [9][8] Group 2: Europe's Response and Initiatives - Europe is attempting to mitigate its dependency on China by developing national mineral strategies and initiatives like the Raw Materials Initiative and the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) [15][16] - The CRMA aims for 40% of processing across the strategic raw material supply chain to be domestic by 2030 and limits the share of any single third country to no more than 65% of the EU's annual needs [16][17] - The European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) has identified around €1.7 billion in potential investment needs to enhance Europe's REE extraction and processing capabilities [18] Group 3: Current and Future Projects in Europe - There are currently ten REE mines in the exploration stage in Europe, with several projects facing delays due to regulatory approvals and environmental scrutiny [21][23] - Two operational REE processing facilities exist in Europe, with one in La Rochelle, France, capable of processing all 17 rare earths, although its output is significantly lower than China's [24][25] - Magnet recycling initiatives are being developed to reduce dependency on China, with facilities starting production in Germany and a new plant by Caremag set to open this year [29][30] Group 4: Challenges Ahead - Despite ongoing efforts, Europe's upstream REE development capacity is unlikely to expand significantly in the near term due to stalled projects and regulatory challenges [23][22] - The complexity of establishing processing capacity for rare earths poses technical challenges and health risks, which may hinder progress [24] - China's established technical know-how and integrated downstream industries present significant barriers for Europe to overcome in its quest for independence [31]

Group 1 - Kirkland & Ellis was the top legal adviser for oil and gas sector mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2025, advising on 51 deals valued at $81.9 billion [1][3] - Latham & Watkins followed Kirkland & Ellis with advised deals worth $78.4 billion, while Simpson Thacher & Bartlett ranked third with $48.4 billion [2] - In terms of deal volume, Latham & Watkins secured the second position with 35 deals, followed by Vinson & Elkins with 30 deals [2] Group 2 - Kirkland & Ellis retained its leadership position in both deal value and volume from 2024 to 2025, although it experienced a drop in value terms despite an increase in the number of deals advised [3] - The data for the league tables is sourced from real-time tracking of company and advisory firm websites, ensuring comprehensive coverage of M&A activities [3][4]

Group 1: Core Insights - JPMorgan and Houlihan Lokey are the leading financial advisers for M&A in the TMT sector for 2025, with JPMorgan leading in deal value and Houlihan Lokey in deal volume [1][4] - JPMorgan advised on transactions totaling $435.5 billion, while Houlihan Lokey participated in 94 deals, just short of 100 [1][5] - Morgan Stanley ranks third in deal value with $253.4 billion, followed closely by Goldman Sachs at $237.2 billion and Allen & Company at $235.6 billion [2] Group 2: Transaction Volume - In terms of transaction volume, Morgan Stanley also holds the third position with 59 deals, followed by Goldman Sachs with 49 and Evercore with 43 [3] - JPMorgan advised on 32 billion-dollar deals, including seven mega deals valued over $10 billion, contributing significantly to its lead in deal value [5] - Houlihan Lokey's deal volume was significantly higher than JPMorgan's, which had 65 deals, placing it second in volume [5] Group 3: Data Source and Methodology - GlobalData's league tables are based on real-time tracking of various reliable sources, including company and advisory firm websites [5][6] - A dedicated team of analysts monitors these sources to gather detailed information on each deal, including adviser names [5]

Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital Markets were the leading financial advisers for oil and gas sector mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2025, based on a league table from data analytics company GlobalData. According to GlobalData, Morgan Stanley achieved the top ranking by deal value, advising on transactions totalling $57.3bn. RBC Capital Markets distinguished itself in terms of volume, with advisory roles in 24 separate deals. Data from GlobalData's Financial Deals Database highlights that JPMorgan secure ...

Core Insights - The Indian automotive industry is experiencing a transformative phase driven by the demand for energy-efficient internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) alongside the need for sustainable transportation solutions [1] - The Indian advanced xEV battery market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.7% from 2026 to 2030 [2] Market Dynamics - The government's push for electric mobility and increasing consumer awareness are expected to drive growth in the Indian traction battery market [3] - Passenger vehicle production surged by 25.5% year-on-year in 2025, but the industry faces rising costs due to a "clean environment" premium [3] - Prices of essential minerals have escalated, with platinum increasing by 110%, cobalt oxide by 209%, refined cobalt by 146%, and lithium carbonate by 10% year-on-year [3][4] Industry Challenges - Stakeholders need to secure a stable and low-cost supply of essential minerals and components, with collaborative efforts between the government and industry crucial for developing local supply chains [5] - The Indian Automotive Component industry is at a crossroads, balancing short-term cost pressures with long-term structural transformation, as rising commodity and semiconductor costs are eroding margins, particularly for EV producers [5] Future Outlook - Despite uncertain macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical dynamics, auto component makers and OEMs that effectively control material costs and enhance supply chain resilience may achieve stronger competitive positioning in the market by 2026 and beyond [6]

Core Insights - Italy, the UK, and Romania are set to lead underground gas storage (UGS) project starts in Europe through 2030, driven by strong infrastructure, suitable geology, and efforts to reduce reliance on imports, particularly from Russia [1] Group 1: Italy's UGS Projects - Italy is expected to lead Europe with 13 UGS projects coming online between 2026 and 2030, aiming to become a regional gas hub by decreasing dependence on Russian gas and increasing imports from the Mediterranean and Africa [2] - All upcoming UGS projects in Italy are based on depleted oil and gas fields, with eight projects in early development stages and the rest under construction [2] Group 2: UK’s UGS Projects - The UK ranks second with six UGS projects planned for the outlook period, utilizing depleted oil and gas fields and salt caverns, with all projects currently in pre-construction stages [3] Group 3: Romania’s UGS Projects - Romania is projected to have five new UGS projects by 2030, all based on depleted oil and gas fields, with four projects under construction and one having received development approval [4] - The strategic importance of UGS in Romania is underscored by significant gas production and its location in southeast Europe, which is crucial for supply security and balanced flows [4]

Core Insights - Private health insurance penetration rates in the US increase significantly with household income, indicating affordability as a major barrier for lower-income groups [2] - President Trump's healthcare legislative proposal aims to reduce costs for consumers and improve access to coverage, focusing on lowering prescription drug prices and insurance premiums [3][4] Group 1: Private Health Insurance Penetration - The GlobalData survey reveals that only 19.4% of respondents earning $0–$19,999 have private health insurance, compared to 50.9% of those earning $150,000 or more [2] - This disparity highlights the affordability issue that affects lower-income households and their access to private health insurance [2] Group 2: Legislative Proposal Overview - The 'Great Healthcare Plan' proposed by President Trump seeks to align US prescription drug prices with international benchmarks and enhance price transparency in the healthcare system [3] - A key feature of the proposal is the overhaul of federal subsidies, directing funds to eligible individuals instead of insurers, which is expected to increase competition and lower average premiums by over 10% [4] Group 3: Cost Reduction Measures - The proposal aims to eliminate certain payments involving pharmacy benefit managers and brokers, which are seen as inflating coverage prices [5] - New disclosure requirements would mandate insurers to publish policy prices, benefits, claims denial rates, and administrative costs in clear language, extending similar obligations to Medicare and Medicaid providers [5] Group 4: Potential Impact on the Market - If implemented, these measures could enhance affordability and accessibility for lower-income households, potentially narrowing the income-related coverage gap and increasing private health insurance penetration rates [6] - The reforms are expected to foster price competition and transparency among insurers, leading to changes in product design and pricing strategies as the market adapts to greater consumer choice and cost sensitivity [6]

Recent political developments in Venezuela have prompted renewed speculation over whether the US could seek to leverage the country’s natural resource base. President Trump has openly signalled his intentions to exploit Venezuela’s oil reserves, but some commentators have gone further, suggesting the administration may also be eyeing the country’s deposits of critical raw materials as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on China. In some respects, the idea is not implausible. Venezuela hosts reserv ...

Over a quarter of UK consumers suggested that a telematics/usage-based insurance (UBI) policy gives them privacy concerns, a GlobalData survey has found. Meanwhile, the telematics provider IMS has warned that insurers risk stalling the adoption of UBI policies in 2026, unless they address consumer concerns around data privacy and transparency. GlobalData’s 2025 UK Insurance Consumer Survey found that 27.6% of UK consumers cited data privacy as a key concern associated with UBI policies. The findings sugg ...