Private Equity Bros Weekly

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📊 Weekly Summary

Hi there,

Here is a recap from this week’s highlights in global markets and finance:

Markets went risk-on, with Goldman pointing to the most bullish positioning since 2021, while attention shifts to Trump’s Fed chair pick. AI hyperscalers are piling into bond issuance to fund AI capex, helping drive US high grade supply above $200B in a record start to the year, even as hybrid bond spreads grind to record lows.

In Europe, private credit reporting rules are set to ease, banks are stepping up SRTs for capital relief, and private wealth is emerging as the fastest-growing source of secondaries capital. UK banks drew a record $140B from the BoE short-term repo facility, and Norway’s $2T sovereign wealth fund trimmed US mega-cap tech exposure on valuation concerns.

Let’s dive in.

📈 Recent Finance News

Goldman report shows markets are most risk-on since 2021: Risk appetite increases as optimism on economy counters geopolitical uncertainty (YF)

Kevin Warsh emerges as leading Fed chair nominee: Investors assess possible implications for rates, balance sheet policy, and Fed independence (BBC)

AI hyperscalers are piling into the busiest bond markets ever: Driven by an unprecedented rush to finance AI projects expected this year (CAM)

US high grade bond sales topped $200B in a record yearly start: Borrowers rushed to lock in funding as demand remains strong and spreads stay tight (YF)

Banks borrowed a record $140B from the BoE short term repo facility: Heavy usage points to underlying liquidity stress in the UK banking system (AInvest)

Central banks unexpectedly reined in gold purchases last year: A slowdown in official sector demand removes a key pillar supporting gold prices (YF)

Norway’s $2T sovereign wealth fund trimmed US Big Tech stakes: The large SWF reduced exposure to mega cap tech in H2 amid valuation concerns (FP)

Bank CEOs to step up SRT activity in the EU: Synthetic risk transfer trades gain traction as lenders seek capital relief and balance sheet optimization (AInvest)

Hybrid bond rush leaves buyers grappling with record low spreads: Strong demand is masking investor nerves over record low premium for risky debt (FP)

Europe will ease private credit reporting regulations: Regulatory changes aim to support market growth and improve capital formation in private debt (PEW)

Private wealth became the fastest growing capital source for secondaries: Secondaries accounted for 40% of the $113B raised by evergreen funds (PEW)

China shifted from lender to debt collector for African nations: Beijing’s role in restructuring and enforcement highlights changing EM credit dynamics (BI)

Record debt in the world’s richest nations threatens global growth: Rising sovereign leverage is limiting fiscal flexibility and amplifying macro risk (YF)

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🔍 Newly Released Reports

• Structural Credit: Where Constraints Create Return (Chenavari)

• Strategic Investing: The Age of Global Rebalancing (IMCO)

• Asset-backed securities in multi asset portfolios (RL)

• Private Capital in 2026: Key Themes (Churchill)

• Global Secondary Market Review (Jefferies)

• World-Class PE Value Creation Plan (CVC)

• Guide to Markets Q1-26 (J.P. Morgan)

• Evergreen Private Equity Investing (NB)

• Transport M&A Review (AlixPartners)

• Global M&A Outlook for 2026 (Bain)

• 2026 Year-Ahead Outlook (LSEG)

• TMT Outlook for 2026 (ING)

• Private Equity Pulse (KPMG)
  

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🤝 M&A Activity

Musk weighs megamerger of SpaceX, Tesla and xAI ahead of IPO (YF)
Potential Deal Value: $1.5T

Coterra Energy and Devon Energy in advanced merger talks (CJ)
Potential Deal Value: $60B

Permira explores sale of pharma company Neuraxpharm (PEW)
Potential Deal Value: $3.6-4.8B

Stonepeak and CMA CGM form US ports joint venture (SP)
Deal Value: $2.4B

VSE to acquire Precision Aviation from GenNx360 (PEI)
Deal Value: $2B

Apple buys Israeli audio AI startup Q.ai (FA)
Deal Value: ~$2B

Alibaba’s Cainiao merges autonomous unit with Zelos (YF)
Deal Value: $2B

Prosperity Bancshares to acquire Stellar Bancorp (FW)
Deal Value: $2B

Anta Sports buys 29.1% stake in Puma from Pinault family (ET)
Deal Value: $1.8B

BDT & MSD Partners near deal for two Four Seasons resorts (CS)
Potential Deal Value: $1B

Elliott weighs tender offer for Toyota Industries, challenging take-private bid (RT)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Investment firm Steel Partners bids for controlling stake in InMode (Inv.)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Carlyle to acquire Lukoil’s sanctioned global assets (PEW)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

Bain, Blackstone, EQT and TPG circle Vitabiotics (PEI)
Deal Value: Undisclosed

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