华尔街知名精品投行Centerview Partners近日与一名前初级分析师达成和解，结束了一场备受关注的法 律纠纷。这场诉讼的核心争议在于，投行初级员工"每晚睡足8小时"的生理需求，是否与投资银行高强 度的工作要求相兼容。 Centerview随后证实了和解消息，但拒绝透露具体条款。该行发言人在一份声明中强调，Shiber的法律 主张"毫无根据"，公司本已准备好在法庭上证明这一点并有信心胜诉。发言人表示，达成和解是为 了"将这种干扰抛诸脑后"，以便专注于为客户提供服务。 此案的解决避免了一场可能让华尔街"加班文化"遭受公开审视的审判。虽然案件本身已了结，但它再次 引发了市场对于金融行业初级员工工作负荷与身心健康平衡的讨论，尤其是在近年行业内因过劳问题频 发的背景下，投资者与管理层正重新审视高压工作模式的可持续性。 "基本职能"与生理需求的冲突 案件的焦点在于投资银行分析师职位的"基本职能"定义。据法庭文件显示，Shiber于2020年从Dartmouth 毕业后加入Centerview，她将此视为"梦想的机会"。然而，入职不久后，她向人力资源部门透露自己患 有情绪和焦虑症，需要每晚在固定时间段内保证至少8 ...

This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. About five months after formally being acquired by Sycamore Partners, Walgreens is laying off hundreds of employees. In Texas, 159 employees are impacted, according to a notice the company filed with the state dated Feb. 12. The effective layoff date is June 1 and marks the closure of the company’s distribution center in Houston. Additionally, 469 employees are im ...

Walgreens cuts workforce after private equity buyout, Bloomberg News reports | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]A sign advertises flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccine shots at a Walgreens pharmacy in Miami, Florida, U.S. September 4, 2025 REUTERS/Marco Bello [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Companies[Amazon.com Inc]Follow[Walmart Inc]FollowFeb 19 (Reuters) - Pharmacy chain Walgreens is laying off over 600 em ...

Core Viewpoint - The private equity industry is facing significant challenges, with many firms struggling to raise new funds and maintain performance, leading to a rise in "zombie funds" that are unable to generate returns or attract new investments [2][4][9]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The private equity sector has evolved dramatically since its inception, with over 15,000 firms managing approximately $9 trillion in assets globally [3]. - Vestar Capital, a notable player, has shifted focus from raising new funds to managing its existing portfolio, with its latest fund showing disappointing returns of 7.7%, significantly below the S&P 500's average return of 14% [2][4]. - The number of private equity funds has surged, with over 18,000 funds targeting a total of $3.3 trillion in capital, but actual fundraising is expected to be only one-third of this target [5][6]. Group 2: Performance Metrics - The average fundraising cycle for funds has increased to 23 months in 2025, compared to 16 months in 2021, indicating a tougher fundraising environment [6]. - The average annualized return for U.S. private equity indices has dropped to 7.4% as of June 2025, lagging behind the MSCI global index by 11 percentage points [17]. - The distribution to paid-in (DPI) ratio, a key performance metric, has declined, with many funds reporting DPIs below historical benchmarks, indicating poor cash returns to investors [28]. Group 3: Challenges Faced by Firms - Many mid-sized private equity firms are becoming "zombie institutions," unable to sell their portfolio companies or raise new funds, leading to a significant reduction in their operational viability [9][10]. - The fundraising environment is particularly challenging for firms with consecutive poor-performing funds, as investor confidence wanes [27]. - The trend of "continuation funds" is emerging as a strategy for firms to manage liquidity issues, allowing them to hold onto core assets while providing liquidity to limited partners [29][30]. Group 4: Notable Firms and Their Strategies - Onex Partners, one of the largest firms on the "zombie fund" list, has seen its management fee income drop from $146 million in 2019 to an estimated $81 million in 2024 due to a challenging fundraising environment [20][22]. - Madison Dearborn Partners, known for its investments in various sectors, is seeking to raise $3 billion for its ninth fund, which would be its smallest fundraising since 1999 [25]. - Crestview Partners has also faced challenges, with its latest fund achieving only an 8.4% internal rate of return, significantly lower than market expectations [26].

Group 1 - Goldman Sachs has promoted Ben Frost to chairman of investment banking, as per an internal memo [1] - Ben Frost led Goldman Sachs in completing two major transactions in the consumer retail sector last year, including advising Kenvue on its nearly $50 billion acquisition by Kimberly-Clark [1] - He also served as a financial advisor for Sycamore Partners in their approximately $24 billion acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance [1]

Group 1: Mergers and Acquisitions Activity - Global mergers and acquisitions activity rebounded strongly in 2025, driven by easing monetary policy in the US, rising demand for AI capabilities, and improving macroeconomic stability [1] - US M&A volume approached $2.3 trillion in 2025, representing a 49% increase from the prior year, while global deal value rose more than 25% [3] Group 2: Key Transactions - Netflix agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery's studios and streaming business for $72 billion in equity value, following a competitive bidding process [4] - Anglo American and Teck Resources announced a merger of equals valued at approximately $53 billion, forming a copper-focused mining company [6] - Alphabet's Google announced an agreement to acquire cloud security firm Wiz for $32 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date [8] - Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern proposed an $85 billion merger to create the first transcontinental railroad network in the US [10] - Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance in a transaction valued at up to $23.7 billion [12] - Sintana Energy agreed to acquire Challenger Energy Group in an all-share transaction valued at approximately C$83.6 million [14] - Lumine Group entered into an agreement to acquire Synchronoss Technologies in an all-cash transaction valued at $116.4 million [16] - Volato Group and M2i Global agreed to a business combination structured as a reverse merger [18] Group 3: Strategic Implications - The Netflix acquisition is expected to significantly expand its content production and distribution footprint [5] - The Anglo American and Teck merger is projected to yield annual pre-tax recurring synergies of about $800 million by the fourth year [7] - The Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger is expected to generate annual synergies of $2.75 billion [11] - The acquisition of Wiz is aimed at strengthening Google Cloud's cybersecurity offerings amid intensifying competition [9]

Sycamore Partners offloaded wine company Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in a deal that foisted losses on the private equity firm and the company’s lenders as the industry faces tariff pressures and slumping demand from younger consumers https://t.co/HYX0Wk1cPy ...

Core Insights - CVS has acquired customer prescription files from hundreds of closed Rite Aid stores and is now operating 63 former Rite Aid locations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington [1] - Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy protection and is in the process of selling most of its assets, having previously operated over 4,000 stores [2] - After emerging from Chapter 11 reorganization in 2024, Rite Aid's store count has decreased to around 1,200, indicating ongoing struggles in a challenging retail environment [3] Company Developments - CVS Health has not disclosed the financial details of its acquisition of Rite Aid's stores and prescription files [1] - The company operates several thousand drugstores and has a significant pharmacy benefits management business, along with an Aetna health insurance segment covering nearly 27 million people [5] Industry Trends - The pharmacy sector is facing challenges such as increased theft and a shift of customers towards online shopping and discount retailers [4] - Major chains like Walgreens are also undergoing changes, with Walgreens agreeing to be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners [4]

Core Insights - JPMorgan Chase reported a 12% increase in profits, driven by a surge in deals and trades influenced by Donald Trump's tariffs and relaxed regulations [1] - The bank's third-quarter revenue rose 9% to $47.12 billion, with earnings per share reaching $5.07, exceeding analysts' expectations [1] - The investment banking unit generated $2.6 billion in fees, a 16% increase from the previous year, indicating growing optimism in dealmaking [2] - The trading division achieved nearly $9 billion in revenue, a 25% increase from the same period in 2024, reflecting investor portfolio adjustments amid changing commercial relationships [3] - CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted uncertainties related to geopolitical conditions, tariffs, and inflation, while noting the resilience of the US economy [4] - JPMorgan announced a $10 billion investment in strategic industries, focusing on defense, energy independence, and advanced technologies [5]

Core Viewpoint - The potential spin-off of Boots from Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) signals a possible return to the stock market for the retailer, which has been under the control of its billionaire owner, Stefano Pessina, and his family, raising concerns about underinvestment and strategic direction [1][4][9]. Financial Performance - Over the past three years, WBA has extracted £1.1 billion in dividends from Boots but has only reinvested £527 million back into the business, leading to criticism that these funds could have been better utilized for store revitalization [2]. - Boots reported a profit increase of £40 million to £450 million last year, with sales growth in both beauty and health divisions, indicating strong market performance [10]. Investment and Strategy - There are concerns that Pessina and Barra's focus on pharmacy operations may hinder investment in other growth areas, despite Boots being highly cash-generative [3][4]. - Sources close to Pessina suggest that the separation from WBA will lead to increased investment in Boots, with no dividends expected to be taken from the business by Pessina or Sycamore [12]. Market Position and Growth Potential - Boots is recognized for its strong positions in beauty and health categories, benefiting from department store closures, and is seen as having significant growth potential, particularly in beauty products [15]. - Analysts believe there is room for Boots to expand its healthcare services, especially in light of the current pressures on the National Health Service [18][19]. Ownership and Future Plans - Pessina has expressed a desire to see Boots return to the stock market, with a potential float as early as the end of 2026, although some believe it may be prudent to wait for a more favorable market [9][20]. - Pessina's emotional connection to Boots suggests a long-term commitment to the brand, which has been a staple in British retail for over 175 years [14][21].