Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

Here’s a recap of this week’s top news in finance and economics:

The US confirmed tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting March 4, while also threatening 25% tariffs on EU goods, prompting the EU to vow a firm response. Meanwhile, asset managers are pushing back against aggressive PE debt tactics, and investors are returning to a leveraged trade strategy reminiscent of 2008.

Global debt-to-GDP has risen for the first time since the pandemic, hitting a record $318T. Hedge funds are betting on a turnaround in China’s property market, while Beijing tightens restrictions on local firms listing in the US. Finally, Tesla’s market cap slipped below $1T after a 25% drop this year.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

US says Canada and Mexico tariffs will start March 4: China, already subject to US tariffs, will face an additional 10% tariff on the same date (CNBC)

Asset managers are pushing back against aggressive PE debt tactics: They now either reject debt sales or demand greater protections (RT)

Investors return to levered trade that went bust in 2008: Big money managers embrace a leveraged diversified investment strategy to boost returns (YF)

US threatened 25% tariffs on EU goods: EU said it will reply ‘firmly and immediately’ to ‘unjustified’ trade barriers (Guardian)

Hedge funds bet on turnaround in China's property crisis: Investors who accumulated property stocks at low prices see positive signs (YF)

Fed's QT expectations upended by debt-ceiling worries: No clear consensus on the Fed's plan to shrink holdings (RT)

Global debt-to-GDP ratio rose for the first time since Covid last year: World's debt stock hit a new year-end record of $318T (YF)

Markets eye new wave of joint European bonds to boost defense: Joint action emerged as U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine sideline Europe (MSN)

China clamped down on local firms listing in US: China restricted small companies from US listings due to price-rigging and investor losses (ET)

Tesla's market cap slipped below $1T: The stock has plunged 25% this year, while the Nasdaq is down just 1.5% (CNBC)

🔍 Newly Released Reports  

• Opportunities in KSA’s Facility Management Sector (PwC)

• Merger Control Frustrates more M&A (A&O Shearman)

• Corporate Venture Capital: Strategic Investments (PwC)

• The Global Potential of Capital Markets (BlackRock)

• DeepFreak: Tech Market Overview (Man Group)

• 2025 US M&A Outlook (King & Spalding)

• M&A in the CEE: Deal Barometer (EY)

• TMT Valuation Report (Deloitte)

• CEO Macro Briefing Book (UBS)

🤝 M&A Activity

Bain Capital considers sale of Rocket Software (PEW)
Potential Deal Value: $10B

Ardian to purchase additional 10% stake in Heathrow Airport (IPE)
Deal Value: $1.1B

Jindal Steel raises bid for Acciaierie d’Italia (ET)
Potential Deal Value: $4.2B

Thermo Fisher acquires Solventum’s purification and filtration business (TF)
Deal Value: $4.1B

Roark Capital to acquire Dave’s Hot Chicken (PEI)
Deal Value: $1B

Ping An in talks to acquire Blackstone’s China logistics projects (AAS)
Potential Deal Value: $372M

PLDT interested in acquiring KKR’s stake in Maya (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

UniCredit to buy 29.9% stake in $27B-listed rival Commerzbank (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Ben & Jerry’s founders in talks to buy back brand from Unilever (edie)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

PIF in talks to invest in Leonardo’s aerostructures unit (Argaam)
Deal Value: Undisclosed