Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

A quick look at the most important finance and economic news this week:

US Q1 GDP growth was revised down to -0.5% YoY, deepening concerns about economic momentum as most Fed officials push back on a July rate cut. Meanwhile, investors are exiting long-term US bonds at the fastest pace since 2020. In a potential policy shift, the Fed also plans to roll back post-2008 capital rules for banks.

On the global front, China confirmed details of a US trade deal, while Japan's M&A activity surged to a record $232B. IPO stocks are averaging 53% returns YTD, and BlackRock plans to bring private equity and credit into 401(k)s. In Europe, new rules were agreed for resolving failed banks.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

US Q1 GDP growth was revised down to -0.5% YoY: The sharper contraction raises concerns over economic momentum and Fed policy expectations (BEA)

Majority of Fed officials oppose a July rate cut: Officials need more time to confirm tariff-driven price hikes won’t cause lasting inflation (YF)

China confirms details of US trade deal: The trade framework seeks to allow rare earth exports and easing of tech restrictions (CNBC)

Fears over US debt and inflation ignite exodus from long-term bonds: Investors have exited funds at fastest rate since 2020 at height of pandemic (FP)

Japan M&A hit a record $232B in H1, driving Asia deals rebound: The trend is likely to continue, driven by take-privates, outbound deals, and PE activity (RT)

BlackRock plans to put PE and credit into 401(k)s: The firm aims to expand alternatives access in retirement accounts (PB)

Fed plans to soften post-2008 bank capital requirements: It would give a major victory to lenders seeking relief from the Trump administration (YF)

US IPO stocks are averaging 53% returns YTD: Strong post-listing gains signal investor risk appetite is rebounding (Guru)

EU agreed to rules for winding down failed banks: The deal centers on expanding industry-backed protections to cover costs for smaller banks (Europa)

Wealth managers gear up to put UK retail savings into private assets: The move follows shrinking public markets, as funds look to diversify offerings (PI)

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🔍 Newly Released Reports

• Mid-Year Outlook: At the Crossroads of Stagflation (Apollo)

• French Banking Sector – Deep Dive (BNP Paribas)

• A Blueprint for Creating Value through AI (KPMG)

• Sustainable Investing Outlook (Morgan Stanley)

• Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2025 (CPI)

• The Rise of Collateralised Private Credit (SUERF)

• The International Rebalance (Morgan Stanley)

• The Future of Capital Markets (S&P Global)

• The Next Wave of Buy Now, Pay Later (PS)

• Doing Deals in Thailand in 2025 (KPMG)

• Insights From Stifel’s CIO Office (Stifel)

• The Rise of Private Markets (Carlyle)

🤝 M&A Activity

BBVA weighs takeover of Spanish rival Banco Sabadell (FSTech)
Potential Deal Value: $16B

CarUX to acquire Pioneer Corp. from EQT in Japan PE exit (PEI)
Deal Value: $1.1B

HIG targets sale of Interpath 4 years after KPMG carve-out (PEI)
Deal Value: $1.1B

Tritax Big Box REIT announces acquisition of UK's Warehouse REIT (HL)
Deal Value: $665M

Volo Sports acquires rival ZogSports in rec sports platform deal (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

CoreWeave in talks to buy digital infrastructure firm Core Scientific (RT)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

26North Partners to buy controlling stake in AVI-SPL (BW)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Meta in advanced talks to acquire voice AI startup PlayAI (YF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Revolut to acquire Banco Cetelem Argentina from BNP Paribas (FF)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Uber and Kalanick explore acquisition of Pony.ai's US ops (Verdict)
Deal Value: Undisclosed