Uncertainty over Rachel Reeves’s Budget has caused companies to delay takeover plans - Toby Melville/Reuters Britain was the only European country to record a decline in dealmaking this year, as higher taxes under Labour hammered business confidence. The value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity fell by 8pc to $217.2bn (£162.3) in 2025, according to a Mergermarket report, down from $237.3bn in 2024. By contrast, dealmaking volumes rose by 18pc in France and 23pc in Italy, according to a study of ...

Wall Street began the year hopeful that 2025 would usher in a wave of dealmaking.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Dealmakers got their wish, as this year has seen an almost record-breaking number of ...

David Zaslav is pursuing a potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery.Leon Bennett/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images Wall Street banks stand to gain $225 million from Warner Bros. Discovery's sale process. WBD weighed offers and chose Netflix over Paramount. Media and telecom mergers are surging, with investment banks seeing robust deal activity. There's one clear winner in the fight for Warner Bros. Discovery: Wall Street banks. Some big names in finance could clean up. WBD is set to pay ...

The acquisition continues AAR's accelerated growth strategy through M&A WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Aircraft Reconfig Technologies, a leading aircraft interiors engineering company, from ZIM Aircraft Cabin Solutions for $35 million in an all-cash transaction, subject to customary adjustments. Upon clo ...

Key Takeaways The biggest entertainment deal in history promises more drama. The latest: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) on Wednesday published a letter criticizing Paramount Skydance's (PSKY) offer to acquire the company, saying its all-cash bid—which followed an agreement by Warner Bros. to merge with Netflix (NFLX)—came with "an untenable degree of risk" and urging shareholders to reject Paramount's "illusory" all-cash deal. The response from Warner to Paramount's hostile takeover offer last week was to be ...

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. (Bloomberg) -- Deals in the wealth management space surged in the third quarter and are expected to continue climbing in the new year. Mergers and acquisitions in the sector jumped 15% compared to the prior quarter, according to a report from PwC. Wealth management deals comprised the bulk of that increase, rising 27% in the period. Reduced financing costs due to the Federal Reserve’s rat ...

Key Takeaways Citigroup projects mid-20% y/y growth in 4Q25 investment banking fees, driven by deal-making momentum. Management cited mega deals and investment-grade activity as key contributors to IB fee growth. Markets revenues are expected to fall y/y in the low to mid-single digits despite investment banking strength.At the 2025 Goldman Sachs U.S. Financial Services Conference, Citigroup, Inc.’s (C) chief financial officer Mark Mason stated that the company’s investment banking (IB) fees are expected to ...

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is favoring a merger with Netflix over a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, emphasizing the Netflix deal's superior value and lower risk for shareholders [2][4][5]. Group 1: Warner Bros. Discovery's Position - WBD's board rejected Paramount's offer of $30 per share, recommending shareholders accept Netflix's offer of $27.75 per share, which includes a separation of its cable networks from HBO and HBO Max [2][4]. - WBD's board chair stated that Paramount's offer was inadequate and posed significant risks to shareholders, particularly regarding financing issues [3][4]. - WBD shareholders have until January 8 to decide on Paramount's offer, with a potential $2.8 billion fee payable to Netflix if the deal collapses [4]. Group 2: Netflix's Strategy and Offer - Netflix's co-CEOs praised WBD's decision, asserting that the merger agreement is in the best interest of stockholders and will enhance consumer choice and value [5][6]. - The Netflix-WBD deal is projected to close within 12 to 18 months, with Netflix confident in obtaining regulatory approvals [6][10]. - The total equity value for WBD stockholders in the Netflix deal is $27.75 per share, comprising $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix stock, along with additional value from the separation of Discovery Global [11]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The global entertainment market is highly competitive, with Netflix currently holding an 8% TV view share in the U.S., while a combined Netflix-HBO/HBO Max would only increase this to 9.2% [15]. - If Paramount were to acquire WBD, its market share would rise to 14%, highlighting the competitive stakes involved in the merger [15]. - Netflix aims to leverage Warner Bros.' successful theatrical film division and HBO's prestige television to enhance its content offerings and market position [20][21]. Group 4: Commitment to Creative and Consumer Value - Netflix is committed to preserving Warner Bros.' film library and ensuring theatrical releases with standard windows, marking a shift in its business model [22][24]. - The merger is expected to create more opportunities for creators and enhance the overall entertainment industry by combining Netflix's global reach with Warner Bros.' production capabilities [20][21]. - Netflix emphasizes its track record of value creation and operational excellence, aiming to continue this legacy through the merger with Warner Bros. [13].

Core Viewpoint - Sealed Air Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement with CD&R for an acquisition valued at $10.3 billion, with a purchase price of $42.15 per share, and the transaction is expected to close in mid-2026 [1][4]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The "go-shop" period for Sealed Air's acquisition expired on December 16, 2025, during which the company solicited alternative acquisition proposals from 29 parties, resulting in six parties entering confidentiality agreements [2]. - Following the expiration of the "go-shop" period, Sealed Air is now subject to "no-shop" provisions, limiting its ability to negotiate with third parties [3]. - The transaction is contingent upon stockholder approval, regulatory clearances, and other customary closing conditions [4]. Group 2: Company Overview - Sealed Air Corporation is a global leader in packaging solutions, generating $5.4 billion in sales in 2024 and employing approximately 16,400 people across 117 countries [6]. - The company specializes in food and protective packaging solutions, with well-known brands including CRYOVAC®, SEALED AIR®, LIQUIBOX®, AUTOBAG®, and BUBBLE WRAP® [6].

Core Insights - Japanese companies are increasingly expanding their operations in India, making it a significant hub for dealmaking in Asia, especially in the financial services sector [1][3] Group 1: Recent Developments - Mizuho Financial Group Inc. is acquiring a controlling stake in KKR & Co.-backed Avendus Capital Pvt. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. is reportedly planning to invest over ¥500 billion ($3.2 billion) for approximately 20% of Shriram Finance Ltd. [2] - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. has become the largest shareholder of Yes Bank Ltd. [2] Group 2: Market Trends - The total volume of deals targeting Indian companies, including mergers and acquisitions, has increased by 15% this year, reaching nearly $90 billion. Although Japanese buyers currently represent a small portion of this market, their presence is growing [4] - Japanese mid-market companies are expected to actively seek M&A opportunities in sectors such as mobility, renewables, sustainability, and infrastructure by 2026 [5] Group 3: Strategic Insights - Japan's corporate sector is prioritizing growth outside its domestic market, with India being a top destination for investment and partnerships [3][5] - Despite the growth potential in India, some sectors may offer better value in public markets compared to private transactions, posing challenges for M&A activities [6] - The dialogue and collaboration between Japanese and Indian companies are seen as positive, indicating a strong momentum for future deals [6]