• Improving GDP prompts deal confidence
• 2018 M&A transactions highest on record
• Deals expected in TMT, energy and health sectors

General Atlantic should be prepared to play the long game if its proposed foray into the sporting arena through a reported offer to buy rugby’s Premiership is to pay off.

• To make one or two investments per annum
• Niche areas like robotics and energy storage in focus
• Fundraising for third fund to begin 4Q18/1Q19

Last Thursday at Mergermarket’s annual Financial Services Forum in NYC, several speakers from major financial institutions identified emerging markets, private credit and fintech as major growth areas for traditional and alternative asset managers. 

• Yet to decide on Ufenau IV exit candidate to follow Intelligent Repair Solutions sale
• Ufenau IV with dry powder for bolt-ons and half of Ufenau V for new investments
• Next fundraising at least 18-24 months away

Swiss investment firm Jadeberg Partners is planning to exit all investments from its latest and last fund, Mountain Cleantech Fund II, within the next three years, Managing Partner Juergen Habichler said.

• Schneider + Co and Vantage Education tipped as next potential exits
• “plenty” of dry powder for fund V add-ons

• CGS III fully invested, exits approaching but some add-ons possible
• CGS IV portfolio may swell to seven investments

Brazilians head to the polls again on Sunday to decide who will run the country for the next four years during a second round that appears clearer than the divisive nature of those running for office, with extreme right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, expected to walk away winning.

• Italian inbound and domestic M&A deal value remains stable
• PE buyouts see highest value since records began
• The consumer sector’s market share dropped 85.5% since 2017 from 50.2% to 8.8% in 2018

This September marked the one-year anniversary when 12 major shareholders in US shale oil and gas producers met in Manhattan to discuss ways to turn fracking operations from cash burners into cash distributors. In the following months since that clandestine meeting, the very same shareholders, including Invesco Ltd., Macquarie Group and others, pressed executives to curtail capital expenditures and instead use that cash to reward investors with dividends and share buybacks.

In keeping with the controversy that often accompanies him, Mike Ashley, CEO and 61%-owner of Sports Direct [LON:SPD], caused a stir with one of the more inflammatory stock exchange announcements likely to be issued this month. This time, he accused shareholders of backstabbing.

Dublin once again played host to international views at Deal Drivers Ireland 2018.

Krzysztof Urbański, Director of M&A at Orange spoke to Olivia Cummins about telecom transactions and deals ahead of this year's CEE M&A and Private Equity Forum.

Emilio Zito, Head of M&A and Special Projects at EDF, took time to speak to Olivia Cummins about the progression of infrastructure investments ahead of this year's Italian M&A and Private Equity Forum.

While steep tariffs and current account deficits of late have sent emerging market (EM) currencies and equity markets into a tail spin, longer-term demographic trends may have larger consequences for asset prices in developing markets.  

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this year’s CEE M&A and Private Equity Forum which will take place on October 3-4, 2018 at the InterContinental Hotel in Warsaw. The yearly Forum has deservedly become a seminal, must-attend event in our industry. Wolf Theiss is pleased to continue its sponsoring role for the 9th year and I am delighted to continue my chairmanship role for the 5th successive year.

The ongoing trade dispute between the US and its immediate neighbors has instilled uncertainty in investors, especially about the prospects of Mexico’s auto industry.

• Game, home shopping companies look for global buys
• Cable consolidation to happen eventually; CJ Hello, Tbroad seen attractive targets
• Friendly policy, Pangyo’s 2nd complex positive for more deals