Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

A quick look at the week’s top headlines in finance and economics:

US bulge bracket banks achieved their largest profit share since 2015, while private equity payouts fell 50% short in 2024 amid slowing deal activity. US consumer confidence dropped to near-recession levels ahead of Trump’s second term, and Canada’s economy saw its first contraction this year.

Meanwhile, China announced a record $411B special bond issuance for 2025 to boost its economy, while the ECB signaled it is “very close” to its inflation target. Hedge funds boosted WTI oil long bets on potential sanctions and Chinese stimulus. In tech, Apple will defend Google in a US antitrust trial over its alleged illegal monopoly.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

BB Banks capture largest industry profit share since 2015: The 4 biggest US banks are consolidating their dominant market position (FT)

PE payouts fell 50% short in 2024: The 3rd consecutive year of underperformance, driven by a slowdown in dealmaking activity (EN)

US consumer confidence drops to near-recession levels: This drop reflects growing economic concerns ahead of Trump's 2nd term (BI)

Canada economy contracts for the first time in 2024: The country’s GDP declines for the first time in 11 months (MP)

China plans $411B special bond issuance in 2025: The highest on record, as Beijing ramps up fiscal stimulus to revive economy (RT)

ECB signals it's 'very close' to inflation target: The bank could cut interest rates further if inflation eases further towards 2% target (YF)

Equity funds see largest outflows since 2009: Concerns over Fed policy change pushed investors to liquidated equity funds (RT)

India, Australia brighten new share sales prospects for 2025: It will cushion the impact of sluggish Chinese deals in the Asia Pacific (YF)

Apple will defend Google in US antitrust trial: It follows a ruling that Google violated antitrust law by creating an illegal monopoly (CNBC)

Hedge funds boost WTI long bets by most in a year: Driven by prospect of sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil (YF)

🔍 Newly Released Reports  

• Investment Funds: Illustrative IFRS Statements (PwC)

• 2025 Economic & Market Outlook (WisdomTree)

• European Private Capital Markets in 2025 (R&G)

• Sell-side M&A Process Checklist (SS Securities)

• APAC Real Estate Sector Insights Q4-24 (HSF)

• Private Equity Mid-market Survey (EIF)

• European Entrepreneurial Finance (EIF)

🤝 M&A Activity

Honda and Nissan to merge in 2026 in historic pivot (CNBC)
Potential Deal Value: $54B

Nordstrom goes private with founding family (CNN)
Deal Value: $6.25B

BNP Paribas to acquire AXA's asset management unit (YF)
Deal Value: $5.3B

KKR and Bain Capital bid for Seven & i Holdings' non-core assets (RT)
Potential Deal Value: $5B

DAZN acquires Australian pay-TV platform Foxtel (SP)
Deal Value: $2.2B

Prosus to acquire LatAm travel agency Despegar (TC)
Deal Value: $1.7B

Xerox buys Printer Maker Lexmark International (YF)
Deal Value: $1.5B

MetLife acquires asset manager PineBridge (SCMP)
Potential Deal Value: $1.2B

Northern Oil and Gas offers to acquire Granite Ridge Resources (OT)
Potential Deal Value: $850M

Hyatt Hotels in talks to acquire Playa Hotels & Resorts (HM)
Deal Value: Undisclosed