Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

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

Citadel revealed rare details on its record $57B gains. US productivity surged at its fastest pace in 14 years, while the BoE cut rates by 25 bps to 4.5%. The ECB warned that Europe could be a major casualty in the US-China trade war, while Saudi Arabia’s IPO boom continued, reflecting efforts to diversify beyond oil.

Amazon is poised to surpass Walmart as the largest company by revenue, and a surging dollar drove a spike in corporate FX hedging Meanwhile, the US trade deficit widened 17% to a record $918.4B in 2024. Lastly, Saudi Arabia sharply raised crude prices to Asia, impacting global energy markets.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

Citadel gave a rare glimpse of $57B gains from its largest funds: Ken Griffin’s Citadel is the most profitable hedge fund firm ever (BT)

US productivity rose at the fastest pace in 14 years last year: Productivity gains could help curb labor costs (MSN)

BoE cut rates by 25 bps to 4.5%: The UK central bank also halved UK growth forecast, sending the pound sliding (Guardian)

ECB warned Europe could be big loser in US-China trade war: US trade sanctions could have a detrimental impact on the EU (RT)

Saudi IPO spree deepens diversification in stock market: Reflects efforts to reduce oil dependence and attract capital (FP)

Amazon set to pass Walmart as largest company by revenue: Amazon to report revenue of $187B in Q4 2024 (CNBC)

Surging dollar spurs jump in corporate FX hedging: Companies move to protect profits from currency fluctuations (YF)

US trade deficit hit a record in 2024: The trade deficit swelled 17.0% to $918.4B in 2024, the largest since 2021 (RT)

Pension portfolio rebalancing potentially costs $16B a year: Study highlights hidden costs in institutional investing (YF)

Saudi Arabia hiked the price of crude to Asia by the most in over two years: Affects global energy markets and inflation (BT)

🔍 Newly Released Reports  

• Leveraged Finance Annual Report (Baker McKenzie)

• Private Credit Market: Review & Outlook (KKR)

• Trends & Opportunities Ahead (Pictet Group)

• 2025 Asset Management Outlook (Antares)

• Going-private Transactions Study (Weil)

• Global M&A Report 2025 (Bain & Co.)

• Buyout Performance Ranking (HEC)

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🤝 M&A Activity

SoftBank in advanced talks to acquire Ampere Computing (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $6.5B

Italy’s BPER launched takeover bid for Banca Popolare di Sondrio (TB)
Potential Deal Value: $4.5B

OTPP explores sale of Mitratech (RT)
Potential Deal Value: $4B+

KKR-backed Cotiviti nearing acquisition of rival Edifecs (MSN)
Potential Deal Value: $3B

US-based developer TPG buys solar firm Altus Power (PT)
Deal Value: $2.2B

Brookfield joins bidding war for Insignia Financial (PEI)
Potential Deal Value: $1.9B

Permira purchases fire safety firm Encore Fire Protection (YF)
Deal Value: $1.8B

BCI acquires Luxembourg-based BBGI Global Infrastructure (LT)
Deal Value: $1.3B

Czech billionaire Kretinsky seeks to take Metro private (Inv.)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

JAB Holding to buy Elliott-backed insurer Prosperity Life (BW)
Deal Value: Undisclosed