Private Equity Bros Weekly

📊 Weekly Summary

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

Wall Street foresees a slower pace of Fed rate cuts in 2025, and Trump finalized his new economic team. HSBC exited China’s credit card business after struggling with profitability, while New Zealand cut interest rates by 50 basis points to 4.25% to address slowing economic growth.

Meanwhile, Indian stocks attracted $70B from local investors since the start of the year. Wall Street banks are backing UK stocks over Europe, anticipating shifts in US tariffs, while Blackstone invested $500M in southern European hotels, benefiting from a tourism rebound.

Let’s break it down.

📈 Recent Finance News

Wall Street sees 'slower' pace of Fed rate cuts in 2025: Officials express confidence over reduced inflation and strong labor market (YF)

Trump rounds out economic team: The announcement came after the first big tariff threats of his presidential transition (FT)

HSBC pulls back from China credit card business: Decision came as the lender struggled to expand and make the enterprise profitable (RT)

European markets flat as inflation exceeds ECB target: Euro zone inflation rose from 2% in October to 2.3% in November (CNBC)

US equity funds attract inflows for 4th successive week: It is buoyed by Trump administration appointments and declining Treasury yields (YF)

New Zealand’s central bank cut rates to 4.25%: Central bank aims to stimulate slowing economy amid global headwinds (RT)

Wells Fargo $1.95T asset cap may lift next year: Ease of restrictions could come after reforms following fake accounts scandal (YF)

Indian stocks lured $70B from local investors in 10 months: This surge in domestic investment contrasts with the exit of global funds (ET)

Wall Street banks back UK stocks to outshine Europe under Trump tariffs: Potential US tariff shifts boost UK equities appeal (YF)

Blackstone invested over $500M in southern European hotels: The firm capitalizes on booming post-pandemic tourism (MSN)

🔍 Newly Released Reports  

• Leveraging Generative AI for Job Augmentation (WEF / PwC)

• Redefining the Role of the Finance Function (PwC)

• Impact Investing in Alternative Investments (BAI)

• Private Markets Outlook 2025 (Partners Group)

• Global Wealth Investment Playbook (KKR)

• Venture Capital Market Update (PwC)

• Health-Tech M&A Insights (NWCA)

• Maximizing SaaS Value (KPMG)

• Vietnam M&A Market (KPMG)

🤝 M&A Activity

Quikrete in talks to acquire Summit Materials (ISM)
Deal Value: $11.5B

UniCredit makes unsolicited bid for Banco BPM (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $10.5B

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala to take CI Financial private (CL)
Deal Value: $4.7B

Oneok to acquire remaining 56% stake in EnLink Midstream (ED)
Deal Value: $4.3B

Peabody Energy acquires Anglo American coal steelmaking assets (FA)
Deal Value: $3.8B

Blackstone to invest in a joint venture with EQT (Investopedia)
Deal Value: $3.5B

Wendel considers sale of French chemical maker Stahl (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $2.1B

Roche to acquire Poseida Therapeutics (CHEM)
Deal Value: $1.5B

GTCR to acquire minority stake in Tricentis (GTCR)
Deal Value: $1.3B

Angelini Pharma in merger talks with Recordati (BNN)
Potential Deal Value: Undisclosed