Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

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

US private payrolls declined for the first time in over two years, and oil derivatives trading surged to record highs. Private equity continues to struggle with valuation concerns, while hedge funds ramped up buying in US banks amid record stock highs. Meanwhile, Apple, Alphabet, and Tesla have slowed the broader S&P 500 rally.

In Europe, London IPOs slumped to a 28-year low. The EU is turning to private funding to advance its quantum tech ambitions, and Nasdaq outperformed the NYSE in H1 listings with blockbuster IPOs. Elsewhere, tech billionaires are backing a new lender to serve startups in the post-SVB era.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

US private payrolls fell for the first time in over two years: A potential sign that the economy may not be as sturdy as investors assume (CNBC)

Oil derivatives trading hit a record in Q2 amid tariff and war volatility: Heightened geopolitical and trade risks drove demand for hedging (RT)

PE is struggling to overcome doubts on valuations: Concerns over inflated asset prices continue to weigh on private equity dealmaking (TA)

London IPOs hit a 28-year low: The city recorded its slowest first-half IPO volume since 1997, raising under £200M in six months (LES)

Apple, Alphabet and Tesla are holding the S&P 500 rally back: The rally is broadening, but the Mag 7’s size means a stall would drag the market (YF)

EU turns to private funding to boost quantum technology ambition: The EU plans to become a global leader in quantum by 2030 (EC)

Hedge funds accelerate US bank buying spree as stocks hit record highs: HF are betting the sector’s historic rally still has room to run (HW)

European junk bond issuances hit a new record in June: Investors rushed in at a record pace, with $26.6B in high-yield debt sold in June (YF)

Nasdaq outpaced the NYSE in first-half listings, boosted by blockbuster IPOs: Venture Global, CoreWeave, SailPoint IPOs rank as biggest of H1 (RT)

Tech billionaires back a new lender to rival Silicon Valley Bank: A push to fill the innovation-sector financing gap post-SVB (Inv.)

📌 Want plug-and-play financial models elite professionals use to win deals?

Merger Model | Fund of Funds Model | LBO Model

🔍 Newly Released Reports

• Valuation of Trade Secrets: A Theoretical Model (IJFMR)

• How to Maximize Private Capital Flows to SMEs (GSG-I)

• Equity Indices Policies & Practices (S&P Global)

• Scaling a Financial Services Business (Menzies)

• Guide to the Markets Q3-25 (J.P. Morgan)

• Strengthening the Private Markets (WFE)

• US Investment Strategy Outlook (RJ)

• Wells Fargo Market Outlook (WF)

🤝 M&A Activity

Athora nears takeover of UK’s Pension Insurance Corporation (CVC)
Potential Deal Value: $7.8B

KKR submitted a bid to acquire British precision testing firm Spectris (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $5.6B

Banco Santander to acquire Banco Sabadell’s UK unit TSB (CNBC)
Deal Value: $3.6B

Intralot to acquire Bally's interactive casino unit (BW)
Deal Value: $3.2B

Blackstone buys remaining stake in Cvent from Vista Equity (YF)
Deal Value: $1.3B

EQT to sell minority stake in Radius Global’s Italian unit (PEW)
Potential Deal Value: $1.2B

Warburg Pincus nears deal for German safety gear brand Uvex Group (PEI)
Potential Deal Value: $942M

CVC, KKR, and ADIA weigh bid for power company Aggreko stake (AB)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

BBVA to proceed with Sabadell bid despite government condition (RT)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Thoma Bravo in talks to acquire Verint Systems (PEI)
Deal Value: Undisclosed