Core Insights - Dains, a UK-based accountancy and advisory services provider, is expanding into the North West market through the acquisition of Hurst, a peer company headquartered in Stockport Exchange [1][3] - Hurst has a team of 120 professionals and offers services in audit, tax advisory, corporate finance, and digital transformation [1] - The acquisition marks Dains' first move into the North West and its sixth deal since receiving private equity investment from IK Partners, aiming to build a leading SME advisory business in the UK and Ireland [3] Company Details - Hurst will retain its existing leadership team, including managing partner Tim Potter, who emphasized the shared commitment to helping businesses grow and the alignment of values between the two firms [2][4] - The acquisition enhances Dains' capabilities in audit, advisory, digital transformation, and outsourced finance, creating opportunities for further growth through shared expertise and collaboration [4] Strategic Goals - Dains aims to leverage the resources, investment, and expertise of the Dains Group to support Hurst's development while enhancing its own service offerings [2][3] - The deal is part of Dains' strategy to strengthen its UK footprint and pursue growth in the advisory sector, with a focus on quality, innovation, and long-term client relationships [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Wendel is engaged in non-exclusive discussions with Henkel regarding a potential transaction involving Stahl, but there is no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Wendel is one of Europe's leading listed investment firms, focusing on Principal Investments in companies that are leaders in their respective fields, including Stahl [4]. - In 2023, Wendel initiated a strategic shift towards third-party asset management of private assets, complementing its historical principal investment activities [4]. - As of September 30, 2025, Wendel Investment Managers manages approximately 46 billion euros on behalf of third-party investors, alongside about 5.3 billion euros invested in its Principal Investments activity [4]. Group 2: Recent Developments - Wendel completed the acquisition of a 51% stake in IK Partners in May 2024, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion into third-party private asset management [4]. - In March 2025, Wendel completed the acquisition of 72% of Monroe Capital and announced the acquisition of Committed Advisors in October 2025 [4]. Group 3: Financial Calendar - Wendel's financial calendar includes the publication of Full-Year 2025 Results on February 25, 2026, and Q1 2026 Trading update on April 22, 2026 [3].

Core Insights - Wendel Investment Managers (WIM) has successfully raised over €11 billion in European Private Equity and US Private Credit markets, showcasing the platform's strong attractiveness [1][8] - Following the acquisition of Committed Advisors, WIM will manage more than €46 billion in assets across private equity, private debt, and secondary markets, with an expected annual FRE exceeding €200 million in 2026 [2][13] - Monroe Capital raised $6.1 billion for its Private Credit Fund V, indicating strong investor confidence in its strategy [3][4] Fundraising Performance - Monroe Capital's fundraising success highlights its ability to attract a diversified international investor base, with a focus on lower middle-market direct lending [5][8] - IK Partners closed its IK X Fund at its hard cap of €3.3 billion, marking the largest fund raised by the firm to date, with significant interest from institutional investors across EMEA, Asia, and the Americas [6][8] - IK Small Cap IV Fund also reached its hard cap of €2.0 billion in less than six months, reflecting continued investor confidence, with 80% of the capital raised from existing investors [7][8] Strategic Developments - Wendel's strategic shift into third-party asset management of private assets is underscored by its acquisitions of IK Partners and Monroe Capital, enhancing its capabilities in managing private equity and private debt [13][14] - The firm aims for an average organic FRE annual growth target of 15% through 2030, supported by a strong track record and a diversified institutional investor base [2][8]

Innovad 是领先的动物健康与营养解决方案供应商，提供多种专门添加剂，适用于家禽、反刍动物和猪，以及伴侣动物。据PAI Partners介绍， Innovad开发了一个多元化且定位良好的产品组合，专注于支持多种健康结果的高价值应用，如肠道健康、霉菌毒素控制管理和免疫力。 Innovad 总部位于安特卫普，服务于75个国家的900名客户。公司运营六个生产基地，依靠比利时、巴西和意大利的内部制造，以及瑞士和意大 利的收费合作伙伴支持。 "我们与IK及整个Innovad集团团队的共同旅程是一段非凡的旅程，最终取得了我们非常自豪的成就，"Innovad集团首席执行官Ben Letor表 示。"我们很高兴能够继续巩固坚实的基础、进步的公司文化，并关注客户的需求和挑战。我们非常荣幸赢得PAI的信任，并相信这一新合作关 系以其新视角和技能，将丰富并支持我们未来的雄心和有影响力的项目。" 自2021年以来，在IK的所有权下，Innovad取得了显著发展，通过扩展至初级原料、采用解决方案驱动的策略并进入战略市场，实现了两位数 的收入增长，公司表示。 PAI计划借助这一增长势头，支持Innovad的转型历程，进一步确立公司作 ...

Summary of Wendel 2025 Investor Day Company Overview - **Company**: Wendel (OTCPK:WNDL.F) - **Event**: 24th Investor Day held on December 12, 2025 - **Focus**: Transformation into a leading investment firm in private assets with a long-term value creation strategy [1][2] Key Points and Arguments Transformation and Strategy - Wendel has evolved into a prominent investment firm focusing on private assets, emphasizing an owner-operator mindset to create long-term value for stakeholders [2][3] - The company operates two main value creation engines: - **Wendel Investment Managers**: A diversified asset management platform with €46 billion in assets under management, targeting mid-market investments in Europe and the U.S. [3][4] - **Wendel Principal Investment**: Focused on direct investments, aiming for a 12%-16% return on assets with a net asset value of €5.3 billion [4][5] Financial Performance and Returns - Wendel has returned 20% of its market cap to shareholders over the past three years, totaling €700 million, with €574 million through dividends (a 51% increase from 2022) and €129 million through share buybacks [7][8] - The company aims to generate at least €7 billion in cash by 2030, allocating funds for asset management growth (€2.5 billion), new company investments (€1.7 billion), and shareholder returns (€1.6 billion) [8][9] Future Outlook - By 2030, Wendel anticipates that 50% of its intrinsic value will derive from asset management, with a focus on creating a self-sustaining growth model [11][12] - The dividend policy is set at 2.5% of the investment portfolio, with expectations of growth to 3.5% of the firm's global value [12][13] Additional Insights Portfolio and Valuation - Wendel's portfolio consists of eight companies, with a balanced diversification across industries and geographies [15][16] - The valuation methodology includes peer multiples and transaction multiples, ensuring a robust and transparent approach to asset valuation [17][18] Operational Changes - Starting January 1st, Wendel will implement a new operational model, leveraging the expertise of IK Partners to enhance performance and scale in both asset management and principal investments [20][21] - The focus will remain on sectors where Wendel has established expertise, with an emphasis on maintaining a lean operational structure [24][25] Market Challenges and Adaptation - The company acknowledges current market pressures, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors, and is adapting its strategy to enhance resilience and efficiency [50][51] - Wendel aims for organic growth of €700 million by 2030, with a clear plan of 41 actions to achieve this goal [55][56] Conclusion Wendel is positioning itself as a robust player in the private asset investment space, with a clear strategy for growth, shareholder returns, and operational efficiency. The focus on long-term value creation, combined with a diversified portfolio and strategic partnerships, sets a strong foundation for future success.

Core Insights - Emmi, a Swiss dairy major, is acquiring The English Cheesecake Company to enhance its desserts portfolio and solidify its position as a "category captain" following a previous acquisition of Mademoiselle Desserts in France [1][5] Company Overview - The English Cheesecake Company, founded in 2000, specializes in premium cheesecakes based on traditional British recipes, offering a range that includes classic, vegan, frozen, and snack formats [2] - The company generated sales of approximately £23 million ($30.1 million) in its last financial year and is listed with major UK retail chains while also supplying the foodservice channel [2] Financial Performance - The English Cheesecake Company reported a turnover of £22.8 million in the year ending 31 March, an increase from £19.8 million in the previous year [3] - Operating profit rose to £1.6 million from £1.4 million, and net profit increased to £1.1 million from £925,622 [3] Strategic Rationale - Emmi's acquisition of The English Cheesecake Company is seen as a strategic move to enhance its presence in the premium cheesecakes segment, aligning with the global indulgence megatrend [5] - The acquisition is expected to create synergies within Emmi's portfolio and strengthen its distribution strategy in the UK market [5] Market Position - Emmi operates in around 60 countries with 72 production sites across 13 markets, employing approximately 12,000 people [6] - In the first half of 2025, Emmi's group sales increased by 12.7% to SFr2.27 billion ($2.8 billion), largely driven by a positive acquisition effect of 11.8% despite a negative currency impact of 3.5% [6]

Core Insights - Wendel's fully diluted Net Asset Value (NAV) per share as of September 30, 2025, is €163.0, reflecting a decrease of 2.8% since June 2025, primarily due to a decline in Bureau Veritas's share price [4][30][32] - The company is undergoing a significant transformation in its business model, including the acquisition of Committed Advisors, which will enhance its position in the European midmarket private asset management sector [6][10][14] - Wendel Growth will transition to a new entity named Iron Wave, with a majority stake held by its direct investments team, while Wendel retains a minority interest [3][28] Financial Performance - The total value in NAV increased by 2.6% compared to the end of June 2025, driven by improvements in multiples and aggregates [7] - Management fees for Wendel Investment Managers reached €258.1 million year-to-date, growing more than threefold compared to the previous year [7][36] - Wendel's cash position stands at €2.4 billion, with an additional €875 million in committed credit facilities [13] Acquisition and Strategic Developments - Wendel is in exclusive negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in Committed Advisors, which specializes in the secondary market and is expected to generate around €70 million in management fees in 2026 [6][15][16] - Following the acquisition, Wendel Investment Managers is projected to exceed €200 million in annual Fee Related Earnings (FRE) and manage over €46 billion in assets [12][16] - The acquisition is designed to align the strategic interests of all stakeholders and will include an initial transaction followed by subsequent transactions to acquire the remaining shares [19][22] Principal Investments and Asset Management - Wendel's Principal Investments operations will leverage the expertise of IK Partners, enhancing the monitoring and performance of its unlisted assets while retaining control [24][25] - The company aims to simplify its operational model to improve performance and cost efficiency, with changes taking effect on January 1, 2026 [6][24] - Wendel's third-party asset management platform is expected to grow significantly, with a focus on private equity, private debt, and secondary market solutions [12][17] Dividend and Shareholder Returns - An interim dividend of €1.50 per share will be paid on November 20, 2025, reflecting the recurring cash flow generated by Wendel's dual business model [9][60] - The balance of the dividend for the fiscal year 2025 will be submitted for approval at the next Shareholders' Meeting scheduled for May 21, 2026 [60]

Core Insights - Dains Group has acquired Curo, a UK-based firm specializing in audit, tax, accounting, and advisory services, marking its fourth acquisition since receiving backing from IK Partners [1][2] Company Overview - Curo was founded in 2005 by Anna Madden and Julia Gallagher and has built a diverse client base, serving both UK and international clients [1] - The existing team at Curo will continue operations in Bromsgrove, led by co-founders Madden and Gallagher [3] Strategic Intent - The acquisition aims to enhance Dains Group's capabilities in delivering complex audits and cross-border tax work while maintaining a personal approach to client service [4] - Dains Group's CEO Richard McNeilly emphasized that Curo's reputation for technical excellence and strong client relationships aligns well with Dains' strengths [3][4] Advisory and Support - Dains received advisory services from DSW, PDW, Cyber Crowd, and Mercia for due diligence, while Curo was guided by Transcend Corporate for corporate finance and Shakespeare Martineau for legal matters [3]

Core Insights - Wendel Group's net asset value (NAV) per share decreased to €167.7 as of June 30, 2025, reflecting a 5.1% decline from March 31, 2025, primarily due to foreign exchange impacts and dividend payments [11][12][13] - The company is implementing a semi-annual interim dividend policy starting in November 2025, with an interim dividend of €1.50 per share [5][10] - Wendel's asset management platform has reached €39 billion in assets under management (AUM), with significant fundraising momentum and revenue growth [7][25][30] Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for H1 2025 amounted to €4,177.6 million, representing a 7.2% increase overall and a 3.9% organic growth year-to-date [6][66] - The net income from operations for H1 2025 was €4.3 million, a significant decrease from €388.2 million in H1 2024, largely due to a capital gain from the disposal of Constantia Flexibles in the previous year [68][67] - Management fees from asset management activities totaled €152 million, with fee-related earnings (FRE) reaching €59 million, reflecting a more than threefold increase compared to the previous year [27][26] Strategic Developments - Wendel's acquisition of Monroe Capital and the partnership with IK Partners are pivotal in expanding its third-party asset management capabilities, aiming for €150 million in pre-tax FRE by 2027 [10][25][72] - The company successfully executed a forward sale of 6.7% of Bureau Veritas' share capital, generating net proceeds of approximately €750 million, enhancing financial flexibility [22][4] - New leadership appointments at Crisis Prevention Institute and Scalian are part of Wendel's strategy to navigate complex market conditions and drive growth [4][57] Asset Management Insights - The asset management platform's AUM has increased by 187% year-to-date, with €4.3 billion raised in H1 2025 without any sponsor money from Wendel [30][27] - The platform is focused on mid-market private markets, with a strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities to further enhance its growth [7][30] - The contribution from asset management activities positively impacted NAV, with a total increase of €3.8 per share at constant exchange rates [15][30] Investment Portfolio Performance - Listed assets represented 38% of gross asset value, with a 5.0% increase in value driven by share price increases of Bureau Veritas, IHS, and Tarkett [4][33] - Unlisted assets saw a decline of 4.8% in value, primarily due to changes in multiples and operational performance [4][14] - Total sales of group companies increased by 3.9% organically, indicating a positive trend in operational performance [4][66]

Core Insights - EB Development has acquired over 90% of Eurobio Scientific's share capital, reaching 90.01% ownership [2][3] Company Overview - Eurobio Scientific is a prominent player in in vitro diagnostics, focusing on transplantation, immunology, and infectious diseases [4] - The company provides diagnostic tests and dedicated reagents for research laboratories, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms [4] - Eurobio Scientific operates with approximately 320 employees and has production units in the Paris region, Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA, along with subsidiaries in several European countries [4] Shareholder Information - The main shareholders of Eurobio Scientific include IK Partners, NextStage AM, and its directors Jean-Michel Carle and Denis Fortier [5] - Eurobio Scientific's shares are listed on Euronext Growth Paris and are part of various indices, including Euronext Growth BPI Innovation and Next Biotech [5]