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☆ Blackstone's Ike leaves to start new investment firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Chibuike Oguh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Melvin Ike, a managing director in Blackstone Inc's (BX.N) tactical opportunities group, has resigned to start his own investment firm, the private equity firm told Reuters. Ike's resignation was announced during a meeting of Blackstone's tactical opportunities fund investors held last week in New York, the firm said in a statement on Tuesday. Ike's transactions for Blackstone's tactical opportunities unit include the sale of a majority stake in Wisconsin-based home improvement lender Aqua Finance for $1 billion to Apollo Global Management (APO.N) in 2021. He also led Blackstone's acquisition of a majority stake in collectibles authentication firm Certified Collectibles Group as well as the minority investments in digital marketing firm Recurrent Ventures and Cybersecurity firm Geocomply. Blackstone's tactical opportunities unit, which is run by David Blitzer, invests in assets that typically fall outside the scope of the firm's other funds, from timber and mines to oil tankers and satellites.

☆ AT&T seeks to shed cybersecurity division -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Milana Vinn | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 21 (Reuters) - AT&T Inc (T.N), the second-biggest U.S. wireless carrier, is exploring a sale of its cybersecurity division, potentially undoing an acquisition it completed five years ago, according to people familiar with the matter. The sale of the cybersecurity business would add to a string of divestments AT&T has turned to in order to pay down debt following its $108.7 billion acquisition of Time Warner Inc in 2018, a deal it has since also unwound. AT&T has been working with Barclays Plc (BARC.L) to solicit potential bids for its cybersecurity business, which was called Alienvault when it was acquired in 2018 in a roughly $600 million deal, the sources said. The sources cautioned that no deal is certain and requested anonymity because the matter is confidential. AT&T's cybersecurity division helps small-to-medium-sized businesses keep their information technology networks, including laptops, desktops, servers and mobile devices, secure.

☆ 12 top investors, from Blackstone to TPG, pouring billions into production studios in a long-term bet on Hollywood's content boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Institutional investors continue to see gold in Hollywood studios, despite a slowdown in content spending. Just as investors are pouring money into film and TV production companies, they're also doubling down on studio space, betting that the content boom is here to stay. The production real estate arena has attracted giants like Blackstone, which in 2020 acquired 49% of real estate investment trust Hudson Pacific Properties' three Los Angeles-based studios. Also bulking up in Hollywood is Bain Capital Real Estate, which in 2019 created a joint venture with Bardas Investment Group, a West Hollywood real estate development and investment firm. And investors insisted to Insider that their long-term view on the space hasn't darkened, even if high interest rates and a slowdown in new content spending temper activity in the short term.

☆ AT&T seeks to shed cybersecurity division, sources tell Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

AT&T Inc , the second-biggest U.S. wireless carrier, is exploring a sale of its cybersecurity division, potentially undoing an acquisition it completed five years ago, according to people familiar with the matter. The sale of the cybersecurity business would add to a string of divestments AT&T has turned to in order to pay down debt following its $108.7 billion acquisition of Time Warner Inc in 2018, a deal it has since also unwound. The sources cautioned that no deal is certain and requested anonymity because the matter is confidential. AT&T's cybersecurity division helps small-to-medium-sized businesses keep their information technology networks, including laptops, desktops, servers and mobile devices, secure. The acquisition of Alienvault was aimed at giving AT&T an edge in signing up and retaining corporate clients, but the deal's rationale has eroded as cybersecurity startups that offer cheap alternatives mushroomed.

☆ Private equity firm TPG's Q4 earnings drop 26% on lower asset sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Chibuike Oguh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - TPG Inc (TPG.O) said on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter distributable earnings fell 26% year-on-year as it cashed out fewer investments in its private equity, growth, impact and real estate portfolios. TPG said its net profit from asset sales fell to $95 million in the fourth quarter, down 62% from the $251 million posted a year ago. TPG said its private equity funds appreciated 2.2% in the fourth quarter, its growth funds and impact funds were flat and its real estate funds fell 1.5%. The private equity funds of Blackstone, Carlyle and Apollo appreciated by 3.8%, 1% and 5.4%, respectively, while KKR's private equity funds were flat. TPG ended the fourth quarter with $135 billion in assets under management.

☆ Sen. Kyrsten Sinema pulls in cash from Wall Street, real estate titans as she mulls reelection bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Real estate and private equity leaders, who have long helped to fill Sinema's campaign coffers, contributed to a healthy cash haul for the senator in the final months of last year. At the lunch, Sinema discussed the incoming Congress and how the tight margins in both chambers could create gridlock, according to attendees. Sinema's campaign had already seen more than $2 million from the securities and investment industry since the 2018 election cycle. The Sinema campaign saw dozens of contributions totaling over $145,000 from people who work at Apollo Global Management, another giant private equity firm, since October. Suzanne Clark, CEO of the massive pro-business lobbying group U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also donated $1,000 to Sinema's campaign on Dec. 31, the new FEC filing shows.

☆ Private equity giants are still racing to fill 2024 associate seats. See 8 firms — from Carlyle to Bain Capital — that have been recruiting first-year investment bankers for jobs that won't start for
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Last year's on-cycle recruiting kicked off earlier than ever, and many junior bankers weren't ready. In an effort to win the war for talent that was raging last year, private equity firms pushed their recruiting efforts earlier than in ever— to late summer. To be sure, not all private equity firms kicked off on-cycle recruiting in August. It usually involves an intense week-long period (although sometimes shorter or longer) where private equity firms rush in to snag the top talent. The bottom line shows the month and year analysts started their roles, and the yellow line indicated when on-cycle recruiting began that season.

☆ DirecTV drops Newsmax
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —DirecTV has dropped Newsmax, a right-wing TV network, from its channel lineup over a carriage fee dispute. “We continually evaluate the most relevant programming to provide our customers and expect to fill this available channel with new content,” DirecTV said. Newsmax noted it offers its feed for free on its website, on YouTube and on multiple streaming platforms such as Roku, so viewers with DirecTV service will still be able to watch. Newsmax responded to getting the boot by accusing DirecTV of bias and censorship. “This is a blatant act of political discrimination and censorship against Newsmax,” CEO Christopher Ruddy said in a statement that was posted on Newsmax’s website.

☆ China's Covid wave drives up consumer interest in insurance after health system shortfalls
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

For people planning to spend more on that health category, 47% said in December they intend to spend more on health insurance. "This experience is also driving increased interest in commercial health insurance which could cover access to premium private providers," Lipson said. Anecdotes depict a public health system overwhelmed with people at the height of the wave, and long wait times for ambulances. Some of the players in China's health insurance industry include Ping An , PICC and AIA . Hospital fundingHowever, one of the barriers to improving China's public health system is its fragmented financing system, according to Qingyue Meng, executive director at Peking University's China Center for Health Development Studies.

☆ The private equity industry is racing to fill 2024 associate roles after last year's hyper competitive hiring tactics backfired
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Emmalyse Brownstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Vice Media is restarting its sale process after earlier interested bidders balked at the initial price tag, according to people familiar with the situation. The digital media company, which was valued at $5.7 billion in 2017, is now likely to fetch a price of below $1 billion, the people said. Initially, Vice was looking for a valuation between $1 billion and $1.5 billion, one of the people added. A Vice Media spokesperson declined to comment. Meanwhile, Buzzfeed , the only digital media company to IPO, has seen its stock fall roughly 90% since going public in 2021.

NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Anew Climate LLC, a TPG Inc-owned (TPG.O) provider of carbon emission reduction products to businesses, has agreed to invest as much as $640 million in carbon offset developer Terra Global Capital, the companies told Reuters on Wednesday. This demand gave Anew the confidence to make an investment of this scale, said Randy Lack, Anew's head of portfolio management. "We have been looking for a platform partner to do NBS (nature-based solutions) and Terra Global has a fantastic track record," Lack said in an interview. Lack said Anew would work "hand-in-glove" with Terra Global to ensure all projects meet tight criteria on environmental and social impacts. "The equity investment by Anew is catalytic to the growth of Terra Global," Leslie Durschinger, founder of Terra Global, said in an interview.

☆ DirecTV lays off hundreds of managers as cord cutting accelerates
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

DirecTV is laying off hundreds of employees — roughly 10% of its upper ranks — as the company looks to reduce costs amid the heightened pain of cord cutting for pay-TV providers, according to people familiar with the matter. DirecTV and its peers have long been under pressure as customers cut the cord and opt for streaming services. Satellite TV providers such as DirecTV and Dish in particular have seen some of the highest pay-TV subscriber losses in recent years. In addition to satellite TV, the company also offers DirecTV Stream, an internet-TV bundle similar to Google's YouTube TV and Dish's Sling. Competition has ramped up in rural areas as broadband and fixed wireless companies build out networks in areas where satellite TV providers were once some of the only TV providers.

☆ Solar Startup Enpal Nears $2.4 Billion Valuation in TPG-Led Investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Ben Dummett | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Enpal GmbH is close to raising new funds from a group of investors led by U.S. private-equity firm TPG Inc., in a deal that values the closely held German solar-panel company at $2.4 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. A deal, assuming it is completed, is expected to be announced sometime this week, the people said. It would offer more evidence of how cuts to natural-gas supplies from Russia are accelerating the adoption of solar power and other clean-energy sources as alternatives to fossil fuels.

☆ Freight Broker C.H. Robinson Ousts CEO Bob Biesterfeld
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Liz Young | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Anderson, 56, stepped down as chair, a position he has held since 2020. Mr. Anderson doesn’t plan to be considered as a candidate for the permanent position, according to the securities filing. Robinson and this exceptional team,” Mr. Biesterfeld said in a statement released by the company. Robinson is by far the largest player in the U.S. freight brokerage market, one that matches freight shippers with available trucks. “We got ahead of ourselves in terms of head count,” Mr. Biesterfeld said on Nov. 2.

☆ Sky spinoff is Comcast’s least-bad option
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The boss of U.S. media giant Comcast (CMCSA.O) may want to make an exception for Sky. Including acquired debt, Roberts paid a multiple of 15 times Sky’s EBITDA to clinch the deal, two and a half times the company’s enterprise value before the takeover battle began. The financial consequences of Roberts’ determination became apparent in October when Comcast took a non-cash impairment charge of $8.6 billion related to Sky. Goldman Sachs analysts expect Sky to generate adjusted EBITDA of $2.1 billion in 2023, nearly one-third less than in 2019. Comcast said on Oct. 27 that it took a non-cash impairment charge of $8.6 billion related to Sky assets for the third quarter of 2022.

☆ How Gerry Cardinale became the go-to dealmaker for the likes of the Yankees, AC Milan, and Ben Affleck
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

He bought the soccer club AC Milan in August, earning the attention of the Italian press. This past spring, AC Milan won its first national title in 11 years. Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images Show less Cardinale at a training session for AC Milan. For instance, the teams sell each other's merchandise in their stadiums, and the YES Network airs AC Milan games. "Now we have a new phase of expansion and internationalization of AC Milan with Gerry."

☆ Tesla's starting to experience demand problems for the first time, says former Ford CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTesla's starting to experience demand problems for the first time, says former Ford CEOMark Fields, former Ford CEO and TPG senior advisor, joins 'TechCheck' to discuss what's pushing Tesla's stock higher, what could cure the company's problems and woes with its management.

☆ 10 money managers who quietly control the vast fortunes of Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, the Waltons, and other big-name billionaires
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

Many über-rich people don't outsource their wealth — they hire their own chief investment officers. He left SAC in 2005 for Dune Capital Management, but stayed in touch with Steve during his five-year term at the investment firm. Andrew oversees CPV's portfolio, which primarily comprises direct private investments such as Collectors Universe, a collectibles-authentication company, and the New York Mets. In 2011, Wildcat Capital Management was launched with Potter as president and chief investment officer. Since November 2021, Carland has also served as the interim chief investment officer for Builders Vision's asset arm.

☆ 'One of our best years on record': With VC deals on the decline, venture-debt investors are cleaning up. But there's a dark side to startups borrowing cash.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Darius Rafieyan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

As the Fed keeps raising interest rates to fight inflation, venture-debt defaults could soon go up. Venture debt, like a typical venture-capital investment, involves betting big on fledgling startups that may be far off from profitability. In the first six months of the year, venture debt increased 7.5%, even as VC funding fell 8% over the same period. The year for debtArmentum's Markell said venture debt had exploded in popularity this year as traditional VC deals dwindled and startup valuations plummeted. Factoring in expected Fed rate rises, Kroll thinks these interest rates will climb to as much as 12% next year.

☆ Australia blocks Telstra-TPG wireless internet deal, sparking legal fight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Byron Kaye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SYDNEY, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Australia's antitrust regulator blocked an asset transfer deal between Telstra and TPG, the country's No.1 and No.2 wireless internet firms, citing competition concerns, setting the scene for a legal battle over access to four million customers. In a deal announced in May, Telstra Group (TLS.AX) was to buy spectrum - airwaves which carry wireless internet - and transmission towers from TPG Telecom Ltd (TPG.AX), while TPG would keep selling 4G and 5G coverage using what would become Telstra's infrastructure. 3 wireless internet provider Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications (STEL.SI), opposed the deal saying it would build Telstra's market dominance. The decision sets up a second legal showdown between TPG and the ACCC in just over two years. "By knocking back this deal, the ACCC has helped ensure that our regional communities will continue to benefit from competition," said Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin in a statement.

☆ Australia rejects Telstra, TPG's network-sharing deal; firms to appeal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 21 (Reuters) - The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday rejected TPG Telecom's (TPG.AX) regional network-sharing agreement with Telstra Group (TLS.AX), and said the deal would significantly weaken overall competition in the country. TPG's shares tanked nearly 6% to a record low following the news, while Telstra slipped 0.1%. In February, the telecom giants signed a regional multi-operator core network agreement under which Telstra — the country's largest telecoms operator — would gain access to TPG's 4G and 5G spectrums. TPG and Telstra expressed disappointment with the competition regulator's decision, which the latter said it would appeal against, while rival telecoms firm Optus — owned by Singapore Telecommunications (STEL.SI) — welcomed it. ACCC noted the network-sharing arrangement is proposed at a time when all the three companies — TPG, Telstra and Optus — are competing in the roll-out of 5G infrastructure including in regional areas.

☆ Australia's competition watchdog rejects Telstra-TPG network sharing deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 21 (Reuters) - Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Wednesday rejected TPG Telecom's (TPG.AX) network sharing agreement with Telstra Corp (TLS.AX), saying the deal would significantly weaken competition in the country. 2 internet service provider - said it was "disappointed" with the Australian competition regulator's decision and is preparing an application for a review of the decision. In February, the companies signed a regional multi-operator core network agreement under which Telstra, the country's largest telecoms operator, would gain access to TPG's 4G and 5G spectrums. The deal was expected to deliver between A$1.6 bln ($1.07 bln) and A$1.8 billion of revenue to Telstra over the initial 10-year term. Reporting by Navya Mittal in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Painters in Search of Transcendence
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Susan Delson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

In 1932, the painter Agnes Pelton traded a well-established career in New York for the beauty and isolation of Cathedral City, a desert settlement near Palm Springs, Calif. A few years later, her ethereal abstractions caught the attention of a small group of artists in New Mexico who called themselves the Transcendental Painting Group (TPG). Pelton never met most of the artists and didn’t attend their gatherings, but they saw in her work what they hoped to achieve in their own, and they elected her their honorary president. “Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group, 1938-1945,” opening Dec. 18 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), brings to light this little-known band of philosophically minded artists. The exhibition presents some 80 works by 11 artists who were united in the belief that “the spiritual can be both achieved and expressed through abstraction,” said LACMA curator Leah Lehmbeck.

But many are delaying IPOs amid a stock market rout that has raised concerns over frothy tech valuations. In a statement to Reuters, Snapdeal said it has decided to withdraw the IPO prospectus "considering the prevailing market conditions", without elaborating. It adding that Snapdeal may reconsider an IPO in future depending on its need for capital and market conditions. The change of Snapdeal's plans comes as tech stocks in India that listed in recent years face investors' wrath. In August, TPG and Prosus-funded Indian online pharmcy PharmEasy withdrew papers for its $760 million IPO, while Warburg Pincus-backed seller of wireless earphones, boAT Lifestyle, also withdrew its papers in October.

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