Private Equity Bros Weekly

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📊 Weekly Summary

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

Trump announced sweeping new tariffs in a historic shift away from free trade, even as US Q2 GDP grew 3% year-over-year. The Fed is holding rates steady at 4.25%-4.5%. Meanwhile, Ray Dalio officially exited Bridgewater, marking the end of an era at the hedge fund giant.

On the corporate front, Wells Fargo’s board moved to retain CEO Scharf with a $30M award, and Figma’s IPO delivered a $24B windfall for its top VCs. Market risks are brewing: Wall Street’s EM lending raises red flags, and China’s factory activity continues to shrink. TSMC's cross-listing price gap widened to a 16-year high.

Let’s break it down.

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📈 Recent Finance News

Trump announces historic new US tariffs across the globe: The new trade policy signals a break from decades of free trade in a new protectionist era (CNN)

US Q2 GDP grew 3% YoY despite tariffs: President Trump responded to the GDP report with a fresh demand for the Fed to lower interest rates (CNBC)

Fed held rates steady and gives no clues on September: The federal funds rate remains in a range between 4.25%-4.5% (CNBC)

Ray Dalio sold remaining stake in Bridgewater and exited board: A generational shift at one of the world’s most influential hedge funds (YF)

Wells Fargo board to appoint CEO Scharf as chairman and grant $30M award: These actions reflect the Board’s desire to retain Scharf as CEO (BW)

Wall Street's big loans to emerging markets spark risk worries: Developing nations are receiving ST liquidity to help cope with rising debt burdens (FA)

Pro-labor Korean bill raises concerns among foreign investors: The revision has gained momentum since President Lee Jae-myung took office (KT)

TSMC stock price dislocation hits its widest level in 16 years: Wider gap between Taiwan and U.S. listings points geopolitical & liquidity concerns (YF)

Figma’s top VCs hold $24B worth of stock after massive IPO pop: A much-needed IPO for Silicon Valley venture firms after a historically slow stretch (CNBC)

China manufacturing activity shrinks as exports drag: New export orders contracted for the fourth straight month (RT)

🔍 Newly Released Reports

• Corporate Venture Capital Deal Analysis (Aranca)

• Biopharma Licensing and Venture Report (JPM)

• Equity Perspectives for Volatile Times (BNY)

• Private Debt: Guide for LPs and GPs (PRI)

• Guide to U.S. Structures and Taxes (BNY)

• European Office Market Report (PwC)

• Private Equity Market Study (K&CO)

• Private Equity Pulse Q2-25 (KPMG)

• Credit Market Outlook Survey (AP)

• Private Markets Outlook (Azalea)

• SE Asia Private Equity Pulse (EY)

🤝 M&A Activity

Palo Alto Networks acquires Israeli cybersecurity firm CyberArk (WPN)
Deal Value: $25B

Schneider Electric will buy remaining 35% stake in India JV from Temasek (BS)
Deal Value: $6.4B

Blackstone is the frontrunner to acquire energy data provider Enverus (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $6B

Tata Motors buys Italian truck maker IVECO (FN)
Deal Value: $4.3B

Brookfield acquires UK insurer Just Group at 75% premium (IA)
Deal Value: $3.2B

China's JD.com to buy Germany's Ceconomy (RT)
Deal Value: $2.5B

Five Point Infrastructure sells Northwind Midstream to MPLX LP (BW)
Deal Value: $2.4B

Leonardo buys IVECO’s defense vehicles to secure Italian armor stable (DN)
Deal Value: $1.9B

New Mountain Capital in talks to acquire 40% stake in Wipfli (PEW)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Thoma Bravo to acquire stake in Trading Technologies (FM)
Deal Value: Undisclosed