7,000+ private equity funds, already compiled and ready to use.

Instead of spending hours pulling names firm by firm, start with a database that gives you immediate coverage of the PE market. Access it here.

Hi there,

An update on this week’s key developments across markets and finance:

Central banks stayed cautious, with the Fed, ECB, and BoE all holding rates steady as inflation pressure persisted. The Fed’s decision saw the highest dissent since 1992, while US public debt topped 100% of GDP for the first time since WWII and banks increased Treasury holdings to the highest level since 2007.

Meanwhile, the EU eased M&A rules to support larger mergers, while Taiwan became the world’s sixth-largest stock market on AI and semiconductor demand. Ken Griffin warned about retail liquidity risks, while secondaries activity remained active as Ardian emerged as a buyer for Canada’s Maple 8 assets.

Let’s dive in.

Fed held rates steady at 3.5%-3.75%: Highest dissent since 1992, showing rare internal division as inflation expectations remain elevated (CNBC)

US public debt topped 100% of GDP for the first time since WWII: A historic milestone as federal borrowing surpasses the size of the entire economy (YF)

Bond traders brace for volatile Fed transition as Powell stays on: Markets are preparing for policy uncertainty around the next Fed chair (YF)

ECB held interest rates steady at 2% at its April meeting: Inflation in the euro zone jumped to 3% in April, driven largely by a rise in energy costs (CNBC)

BoE held rates at 3.75%: The UK central bank kept policy unchanged as it balances weak growth against inflation pressure (BBC)

EU overhauled M&A rules to encourage mega mergers: Brussels eases merger thresholds to help EU companies compete with US and Chinese rivals (Inv.)

Taiwan overtook Canada as world's sixth-largest stock market: AI and semiconductor demand continue to reshape global equity rankings (FP)

Wall Street banks boost Treasury holdings to the highest since 2007: Dealer balance sheets are absorbing more US government debt as issuance rises (EBM)

Ken Griffin suggests retail investors don't understand private credit: Citadel CEO warns liquidity risks in the $3.5 trillion private credit market (MSN)

Japan firms are selling a record amount of euro debt: Corporate issuers tap European bond market at historic pace as yields remain attractive (TJT)

Wells Fargo is set to expand trading in Wall Street comeback: The bank is rebuilding markets revenue after years of regulatory constraints (MSN)

France's Ardian emerges as a secondaries buyer for Canada's Maple 8: Secondary transactions become more important for pension funds seeking liquidity (PEW)

AvalonBay Communities & Equity Residential considers merger (PM)
Potential Deal Value: $50B

Finland’s Kone agreed to acquire German rival TK Elevator (CNBC)
Deal Value: $34.4B

German media giant Bertelsmann to merge BMG and Concord (FT)
Deal Value: $14B

EQT improves third offer for Intertek (PEI)
Potential Deal Value: $12.3B

Apollo, Blackstone, and KKR bid for Shell's stake in LNG Canada (MSN)
Potential Deal Value: $10B–$15B

CVC weighs an LBO of Italian payment group Nexi (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $10.6B

KKR is exploring a sale of Flora Food Group (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $10B

JPMorgan Chase & Co advises on potential sale of Digital Edge (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $10B

Eneos in final talks for Chevron's Singapore oil assets (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $2.5B

Blackstone invests in renewables developer Eurowind Energy (ESG)
Deal Value: $2.3B

Eli Lilly signs drug rights deal with Bezos-backed Profluent (FBT)
Deal Value: $2.2B

Chiesi widens rare disease portfolio with KalVista buyout (YF)
Deal Value: $1.9B

Apax seeks to buy UK exhibitions and events group CloserStill Media (PEW)
Deal Value: $1.6B

Amadeus eyes public security arm of Idemia (MSN)
Potential Deal Value: $1.4B

Pacific Equity Partners offered to acquire oOh!media (AFR)
Potential Deal Value: $747M

Entrepreneur Equity Partners pays 70% premium for Benfica stake (PEW)
Deal Value: $290M

Arlington Capital buys nuclear engineering firm Enercon from Oaktree (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Cognizant to acquire AI-first peer Astreya (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

✔ 20% off financial modelling courses with WSO
✔ 25% off any FE course with code PEBRO25
✔ Advanced models and templates
✔ More content on LinkedIn