Dealcast is a podcast covering activism, M&A, ECM and other corporate activity. Two years after talks began, Linde [ETR:LIN] and Praxair [NYSE:PX] are still trying to secure two major regulatory clearances for their merger. Chinese approval from SAMR is due within weeks, while the FTC may only clear the deal if the parties exceed their divestiture revenue

TransDigm [NYSE:TDG] is among the parties that has been pursuing Esterline Technologies [NYSE:ESL], the aerospace parts maker exploring a sale, said three sources briefed on the matter.   Second round bids for the Bellevue, Washington-based company are expected to be collected in early October, said one of the sources and a sector advisor.   In

General Electric [NYSE:GE] is in advanced discussions to sell assets in its GE Digital unit to a domestic buyer, said six sources familiar with the situation.   The Boston-based industrials conglomerate is working with JPMorgan as it evaluates options for the business, the sources said. One of the sources said the sale process has been ongoing for

Italian luxury goods group Salvatore Ferragamo [SFER:MI] could consider strategic options, including a potential delisting, according to a source close to the company. The group is also studying the potential disposal of some real estate assets. The company, which is 67.7%-owned by the Ferragamo family, has been approached by several private equity

DS Smith’s [LON:SMDS] pending acquisition of Europac [BME:PAC] is unlikely to make the UK-based packaging group a less attractive candidate for US rival International Paper [NYSE:IP], which is looking to expand its footprint in Europe, according to three sector bankers.   Purchasing DS Smith even after the deal would give IP access to Europe,

  Tribune Media [NYSE:TRCO] will likely attract considerable attention from potential buyers in the near term following the termination of its agreement to sell to Sinclair Broadcast Group [NASDAQ:SBGI], two sources briefed on the matter said.   Earlier this month the Chicago-based local television broadcast group announced that it had terminated

So-called “Brexit clauses” are still absent from deal terms as cash-flushed corporates and sponsors tilt M&A transactions in favour of sellers, according to M&A lawyers. M&A transaction documents were widely expected to include "Brexit clauses", or a variation of a MAC (also known as a Material Adverse Change or Effect) to assign risks, caused by Brexit,

Elliott Advisors has built a position in Vodafone Group [LON: VOD] and is pressing for changes at the telco provider, according to two sources familiar with the situation.   The exact size of the stake in the London-based company could not be learned but both sources said it is significant. Vodafone has a market cap of GBP 47.87bn.   The

A detailed review of 50 Chinese outbound deals to have been assessed by the US’ inter-agency panel CFIUS since President Donald Trump came to power suggests it has taken a consistent approach to Chinese investments despite a perception, in some quarters, of anti-China bias.   CFIUS has cleared 8 Chinese M&A investments this year and has

Bain Capital and TPG are among the suitors athenahealth [NASDAQ:ATHN] has selected to participate in the second round of its sale process, said three sources briefed on the matter.     Hellman & Friedman has also qualified for the next round, said two of the sources and a fourth source briefed on the matter.     More than five parties,