-
Wood Group backs Sidara’s new 30p offer amid FCA probe. The Aberdeen-based engineering group is “minded to recommend” a revised takeover offer from Dubai’s Sidara, despite suspended trading, delayed accounts, and ongoing scrutiny from the UK’s financial watchdog.
-
Blackstone to acquire Shermco for $1.6 billion. Shermco, a Texas-based electrical services provider, will be acquired by Blackstone, enhancing its focus on energy transition and electrification opportunities. The acquisition is part of Blackstone’s ongoing strategy in this sector….
-
Broadcasting, biotech, and wealth management dominated U.S. M&A this week. Nexstar’s $6.2 billion bid for Tegna led the headlines, while Honeywell added utility platforms, XOMA Royalty expanded in oncology, and wealth managers pursued consolidation. Mubadala’s take-private of CI Financial added sovereign weight to a diverse week of deals.
-
UK M&A activity spanned semiconductors, fintech, property, advisory, and aerospace. Five key transactions defined this week, led by Haylo Labs’ security-approved purchase of Plessey, alongside Starling’s acquisition of Ember and Leonard Curtis’s stake sale to Pollen Street Capital, highlighting national-interest sectors and private capital momentum.
-
UK banks close over a third of branches in five years. Traditional banks have significantly reduced their physical presence, citing increased digital banking adoption. This trend is driven by changing customer preferences, though it has raised concerns about access to cash services.
-
Rachel Reeves may extend the freeze on income tax thresholds. Such a move could increase the tax burden on high earners and draw more individuals into higher tax brackets. Analysts predict potential tax rises to address fiscal challenges.
-
Europe is losing climate ground, warns the bloc’s first commissioner. Former EU climate chief Connie Hedegaard has warned that political and corporate complacency is eroding the European Union’s environmental leadership. Her remarks follow a series of policy rollbacks and investor concerns over the credibility of Europe’s net zero transition.
-
Whistleblowing reform in the UK remains a slow process. Francesca Titus examines the gaps in the Office of the Whistleblower Bill, from insufficient protections to missing financial incentives, and asks what companies should be doing now to prepare for a new era of corporate accountability.
-
Nexstar Media Group set to acquire Tegna in $6.2bn deal. The agreement, which offers Tegna shareholders a 31% premium, would extend Nexstar’s reach to 80% of U.S. households, surpassing federal ownership limits and raising questions over media consolidation and regulation.
-
Haylo Labs has acquired UK chipmaker Plessey in China-funded deal. The acquisition cleared national security review and injects new capital into one of Europe’s oldest semiconductor companies, raising questions over foreign funding in critical technologies and promising major expansion for the UK’s micro-LED industry.