Core Insights - WSP Global has signed an agreement to acquire TRC Companies for $3.3 billion, enhancing its capabilities in the power and energy sector [1][2] - The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2026, subject to regulatory approvals [2] - This strategic move aligns with WSP's 2025-2027 Strategic Plan and aims to position the company as a leader in power and energy consulting [4] Financial Impact - The all-cash deal is valued at $3.3 billion and is projected to add low- to mid-single digit percentage to WSP's adjusted net earnings per share before synergies [2][3] - Post-acquisition, WSP will have approximately 27,000 employees in the US, contributing to 34% of its US revenue [3] Strategic Rationale - The acquisition will broaden WSP's expertise across water, infrastructure, and environmental services, addressing the rising demand for power consumption driven by AI and cryptocurrency sectors [2] - WSP aims to create an integrated platform with industry-leading capabilities in advisory, engineering, and program management through this acquisition [5][6] Advisory and Legal Support - J.P. Morgan and CIBC Capital Markets are serving as financial advisors for WSP, with legal counsel from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in the US and Stikeman Elliott in Canada [6] - Harris Williams, UBS Investment Bank, AEC Advisors, and Houlihan Lokey are advising TRC, with legal counsel from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison [7]

As McKinsey & Co. partners gathered in the consulting giant’s birthplace in late October, Bob Sternfels delivered a rallying cry. “We will kick some ass as we start our second century,” the firm’s top executive told the thousands of attendees.But away from the 100-year festivities in Chicago, McKinsey bosses have been conveying a more pragmatic message: It’s time to get leaner. The firm’s leadership has discussed with managers in non-client-facing departments the need to cut about 10% of headcount across th ...

Core Viewpoint - WSP Global Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire TRC Companies for a total cash purchase price of US$3.3 billion, which is a strategic move to enhance its position in the Power & Energy sector and achieve its 2025-2027 Global Strategic Action Plan [1][4]. Company Overview - WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms, operating in over 50 countries with approximately 75,000 professionals [32]. - TRC, based in Windsor, Connecticut, has been a leader in engineering and consulting for over 55 years, employing around 8,000 people [2][29]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition price of US$3.3 billion represents 14.5 times TRC's Pre-IFRS 16 CY2026E Adjusted EBITDA pre-synergies and 12.5 times post-synergies [7]. - The acquisition is expected to be low- to mid-single-digit percentage accretive to WSP's adjusted net earnings per share before synergies, and high-single-digit percentage accretive once cost synergies are fully realized [4][7]. Strategic Benefits - The acquisition will expand WSP's offerings in the Power & Energy sector, enhance client relationships, and create cross-selling opportunities [3][4]. - WSP will become the largest engineering and design firm in the U.S. by revenue, with a combined workforce of approximately 27,000 employees [4][5]. Financial Highlights - TRC's Pre-IFRS 16 Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, was approximately US$192.3 million, with net revenues of approximately US$1,192.2 million [7][49]. - WSP plans to finance the acquisition through US$3.3 billion of Committed Acquisition Financing and an equity offering of approximately $850 million [7][10]. Market Positioning - The acquisition aligns with WSP's goal to drive scale across strategic high-growth areas, particularly in advisory capabilities and digital solutions [4][5]. - Approximately 34% of WSP's U.S. net revenues will be derived from the Power & Energy sector post-acquisition, which is expected to accelerate WSP's organic growth rate globally [4][7].

McKinsey Plots Thousands of Job Cuts in Slowdown for Consulting Industry. Listen for more on Bloomberg Intelligence. https://t.co/SyUvUnGO0p ...

McKinsey & Co., the business strategy consulting firm that has long advised CEOs and Fortune 500s on how to “streamline” their workforces, is now preparing to cut its own workforce. The company is planning deep cuts across its non-client-facing staff, Bloomberg reports, as much as 10% of headcount within some areas, a move that could eliminate several thousand jobs over the next 18 to 24 months. The job cuts come at a moment of simultaneous growth and contraction for the consulting industry. After a mul ...

As McKinsey & Co. marked its 100th anniversary with fanfare in Chicago, the consulting firm's leadership struck a confident public tone about its future. "We will kick some ass as we start our second century,†he said, portraying a firm ready to move past recent setbacks. Away from the celebrations, however, McKinsey managers have been discussing plans to cut about 10% of staff in non-client-facing roles over the next 18 to 24 months, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. Co ...

In boardrooms around the globe, a specific anxiety is taking hold. It isn’t just the fear of robots taking jobs; it is the paralyzing worry of “buyer’s remorse” in a market moving at breakneck speed. According to Bill Briggs, Deloitte’s chief technology officer, as we move from AI experimentation to impact/value at scale, that fear is driving a lopsided investment strategy where companies are pouring 93% of their AI budget into technology and only 7% into the people expected to use it. Briggs highlighted ...

Economic Data Releases - The convergence of major economic releases on Tuesday, including the November jobs report, retail sales, and PMI data, could significantly influence market direction heading into year-end [1][3] - The November jobs report will provide insights into employment trends, including nonfarm payrolls, unemployment rate, and wage growth, which are critical for assessing consumer spending capacity [1] - October retail sales data will be analyzed for evidence of consumer spending resilience during the holiday shopping season [1] - PMI releases will offer forward-looking perspectives on business activity in both goods-producing and services sectors [1] Inflation Reports - The November CPI report on Thursday will be crucial for understanding whether inflation pressures are moderating or remaining elevated, impacting the Fed's policy path [4] - Both headline and core CPI readings will be scrutinized, particularly energy prices, housing costs, and services inflation, which significantly influence overall price trends [4] - The Core PCE Price Index on Friday will provide the Fed's preferred inflation measure, offering final perspectives on October price trends [8] Company Earnings Insights - Micron's earnings report on Wednesday will provide insights into memory chip demand across various sectors, including data centers and automotive applications, amid concerns about AI infrastructure investment sustainability [5] - FedEx's earnings will offer insights into package volumes and e-commerce trends, serving as leading indicators for economic health [6][7] - Nike's earnings will assess athletic apparel demand and international market performance, particularly in China [7] - Accenture's results will provide perspectives on corporate consulting demand and IT services spending, indicating business confidence and investment intentions [7]

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 Viewpoint - Accenture (ACN) is anticipated to report a year-over-year increase in earnings driven by higher revenues, with the actual results having a significant impact on its near-term stock price [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - The earnings report is expected to be released on December 18, and if the results exceed expectations, the stock may rise; conversely, a miss could lead to a decline [2]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts quarterly earnings of $3.74 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.2%, with revenues projected at $18.56 billion, up 4.9% from the previous year [3]. Estimate Revisions - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised 0.08% lower, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate for Accenture is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -1.53%, suggesting a bearish outlook from analysts [12]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with a positive Earnings ESP indicating a higher likelihood of an earnings beat [8][10]. - A positive Earnings ESP combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 has shown a nearly 70% success rate for predicting positive surprises [10]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Accenture was expected to post earnings of $2.98 per share but delivered $3.03, resulting in a surprise of +1.68% [13]. - Over the past four quarters, Accenture has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times [14]. Conclusion - Accenture does not currently appear to be a strong candidate for an earnings beat, and investors should consider other factors when making decisions regarding the stock ahead of the earnings release [17].