Dutch geo-intelligence and asset integrity specialist Fugro [AMS:FUR] and KKR-backed subsea surface and equipment player Acteon have engaged in tie-up discussions, two sources familiar with the matter said.   KKR, which has tapped RBC as its adviser, is seeking a liquid platform from which to realise its investment in UK-based Acteon, while

Elementis  could consider selling its chromium business to ease leverage pressure amid weakened demand and poor trading performance, according to several sector bankers.   The UK specialty chemicals company’s chromium division is the most logical disposal candidate as a value destroyer in an otherwise strong portfolio, one of the bankers said.   The

The number of failed deals in the European public market space has been low during 2020 even as the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged financial markets, according to analysis by Dealreporter.   That’s not to say 2020 has been plain sailing for merger arbitrage funds. Pre-definitive or ‘expected’ deals have remained vulnerable to collapse

It has been 3.8 years since China Oceanwide’s USD 2.7bn offer to acquire Genworth Financial [NYSE:GNW] became a binding transaction. The market is pricing in a close to zero chance that the long running attempt will complete. But the bidder is, perhaps somewhat gamely, pressing ahead with its efforts to obtain financing for the deal.   China Oceanwide

  Decision to be made by end of 2H20   Banks pitching but none mandated    China Longyuan Power [HKG:0916] and its 58.44% owner CHN Energy are weighing potential deal options for the company, including a delisting from the HKEx and a relisting on the A-share stock market, or an A-H dual listing, according to a source familiar with the

Vedanta Resources Ltd (VRL) aims to price planned USD senior secured 12-18-month bonds as soon as next week (10 August-14 August) to part-fund its proposed take-private of 50.14%-owned India-listed flagship Vedanta Ltd [NSE:VEDL], according to two sources familiar with the matter.   The Anil Agarwal-owned commodity conglomerate is currently targeting

As Taubman Centers [NYSE:TCO] prepares to square off with Simon Property Group [NYSE:SPG], the parties will have to contend with a Michigan court system that prizes settlements over forced performance, said three attorneys who practice in the state.   In early June, Indianapolis-based commercial property REIT Simon Property moved to terminate

The intensity of minority shareholder activism against the corporate governance aspects of listed Japanese buyouts in recent weeks highlights loopholes in the M&A guidelines that were introduced last year by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti), lawyers said.   Meti’s guidelines, which were developed to protect minority shareholders’

Pharma groups are expected to hold off on blockbuster mergers in the second half of 2020 due to uncertainty over the US presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the valuation of potential targets, said sector advisors and industry experts. Instead, pharma companies will continue to pursue bolt-on acquisitions and partnership opportunities.    Merger

After Pinduoduo [NASDAQ:PDD] this month hired CICC, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs to handle its secondary listing in Hong Kong, ECM bankers have turned their attention to Baidu [NASDAQ:BIDU] and the other large cap US-listed Chinese e-commerce players.    Once Pinduoduo completes its secondary listing, all four of the US-listed Chinese e-commerce