Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

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

The US is doubling down on Ukraine to hand over rare earth mineral rights in a deal worth hundreds of billions. Meanwhile, Fed minutes revealed concerns over inflation risks tied to trade and immigration policies. Japan’s inflation climbed to 4%, while UK inflation hit a 10-month high of 3%.

In Europe, IPOs show signs of recovery despite a rocky start to 2025, but a $130B listing exodus from Europe and Asia suggests the US remains the most attractive market. Mining giants are feeling the strain of weak Chinese demand, while Elon Musk’s companies have gained $613B in value since the US election.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

US pushes Ukraine to hand over mineral rights: The deal would include rare earth minerals worth hundreds of billions (Newser)

Fed minutes reveal inflation concern from trade and immigration policy: US central bank warned of proposed tariffs’ impacts (BBC)

Japan inflation climbed to 4%: Headline inflation has been above BoJ’s 2% target for 34 straight months (CNBC)

UK inflation rose to a 10-month high of 3%: Reduces the chance of early interest rate cut amid rising food and fuel costs (Guardian)

China's US Treasury holdings hit lowest since 2009: Beijing shifts to lower-profile accounts and diversifies assets (FT)

European IPOs show positive signs after bumpy start to 2025: Deals offer positive signs for the next batch of listings (YF)

Europe and Asia face $130B listing exodus as US allure grows: Firms recognize the US as the most liquid market currently (YF)

Mining giants are being pinched by low China demand: Results from ongoing economic weakness in China (Mining)

Musk's companies have added $613B in value since election: If funding rounds close as planned, he will be worth over $420B (BS)

Dealers under pressure as traders pile into VIX calls: Heavy use of VIX calls for hedging may become a destabilizing force (IN)

🔍 Newly Released Reports  

• IPO and Public Company Readiness (Gibson Dunn)

• Turkish Start-up Investments Review (KPMG)

• Probabilities and Payoffs (Morgan Stanley)

• Infrastructure Value Creation (CVC | DIF)

• 2025 M&A Deal Market Study (KPMG)

• Fintech Funding Report H2-24 (KPMG)

• The Rapid Rise of Private Credit (S&P)

• Carried Interest Valuation (JA)

• Economic Outlook (Stifel)

🤝 M&A Activity

Mitsui buys 40% stake in Rhodes Ridge iron ore project (Mitsui & Co.)
Deal Value: $5.3B

KKR secures 58% stake in Fuji Soft, winning battle with Bain (PEI)
Deal Value: $4.1B

‘Pokémon Go‘ to sell to Saudi-owned firm Scopely Inc. (Tribune)
Potential Deal Value: $3.5B

HBM Healthcare explores acquisition of Swixx Biopharma (SWI)
Potential Deal Value: $1.7B

CoStar offers to buy Domain Holdings Australia (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $1.7B

Celsius purchases energy drink brand Alani Nu (Inv.)
Deal Value: $1.65B

Kontoor Brands acquires outdoor brand Helly Hansen (FD)
Deal Value: $900M

ACWA acquires ENGIE’s assets in Bahrain and Kuwait (PT)
Deal Value: $693M

Aramco to buy 25% stake in Unioil Petroleum Philippines (Aramco)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

UK’s Rosebank Industries to acquire Electrical Components (RT)
Deal Value: Undisclosed