#acquisition

June 30th was the drop dead day to file the IPO. They've been shopping the IPO for 6 months and the market said "no thanks". Anemic growth (circa 1%), one time ebita bump from massive cost cuts and the McGraw IPO flop has put a nail in this coffin. I predict Apollo will look to carve up the peices and get their money back .KKR is probably pushing for the same thing. MH? he will be gone and I bet the process has already started. NK and the rest of the pretenders? Well they will jockey for position but Apollo will bring in an outsider to carve up the corpse. All the folks who jumped on this bandwagon are, I'm sure, not as upbeat as 3 weeks ago. They jumped on a sinking ship, threw the crew overboard and now their hubris will fade away rather quickly as they look to the exits

ExxonMobil has publicly stated that domestic manufacturing is a central pillar of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, and the company has launched its own “Make in India” initiative to help realize that goal ExxonMobil+1.

Strategic Alignment with India’s Goals
India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 aims to transform the country into a self-reliant, globally competitive manufacturing hub. ExxonMobil sees strong synergies between its global energy infrastructure operations and India’s industrial ambitions, particularly in heavy engineering, shipbuilding, and specialized manufacturing ExxonMobil.

Current and Future Sourcing
Current scale: In the last two years, ExxonMobil affiliates have sourced USD 100 million worth of equipment from India ExxonMobil+1.

Future target: The company plans to scale sourcing to billions of dollars by the end of the decade ExxonMobil+1.

Focus areas:

Mega modules — large, pre-assembled units used in petrochemical plants and refineries.

Energy infrastructure equipment for LNG, refining, and chemical projects.

Shipbuilding synergies — both industries require heavy engineering, specialized suppliers, and complex logistics networks ExxonMobil+1.

Why India?
India offers:

A skilled workforce in engineering and fabrication.

Expanding connectivity (roads, ports, railways) to support large-scale manufacturing.

Resilient supply chains that can support complex, high-value projects ExxonMobil.

Impact
By leveraging India’s growing engineering and fabrication capabilities, ExxonMobil aims to:

Reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing for its global projects.

Support India’s industrial growth and energy security.

Create high-value jobs and technology transfer opportunities in the country ExxonMobil+1.

In short, ExxonMobil’s “Make in India” initiative is not just a corporate sourcing strategy — it’s a strategic investment in India’s manufacturing future, aligned with its national vision for 2047.

The acquisition of Comerica by Fifth Third Bank has generated significant local discussion. While the disappearance of a long-standing financial institution is noted, the controversy has escalated due to a perceived slight against a beloved local food item. This has drawn unexpected attention to the cultural impact of the merger. The public's reaction highlights the deep connection between community identity and local businesses. The situation has become a talking point beyond the financial implications of the deal.

Detroit, Michigan

https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/neal-rubin/2026/07/16/fifth-third-comerica-bank-purchase-american-coney-island-cincinnai-chili-tim-spence-grace-keros/90908987007/

https://www.therobarcher.com/p/fridays-court-hearing-could-shape

Bill drew an analogy to a 4x4 relay race in this morning’s earnings call.

“I feel really good about the baton passing. Think about the 4x100 relay. We’re passing the baton to someone that can run the last lap(?!?!) with a lot of speed.”

Is this him saying that Mike is going to fast track us to being acquired?

Fifth Third Bank is implementing additional layoffs following its significant acquisition of Comerica. The bank is also vacating Comerica's former downtown headquarters. These actions indicate a strategic restructuring phase for the financial institution. Further details regarding the scope and impact of these job cuts are expected. The company is actively managing its post-merger operational footprint.

Frisco, Texas

https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2026/07/16/fifth-third-comerica-layoffs-signage-comes-down.html

Polygon Labs has announced a new round of layoffs as it finalizes its acquisition of Coinme. This move is part of a strategic shift to transform the company into a blockchain-enabled payments firm. The acquisition of Coinme and Sequence is central to the development of the Polygon Open Money Stack. These workforce reductions follow previous cuts made earlier in the year. The company aims to achieve profitability in 2027 through these strategic changes.

San Francisco, California

https://www.theblock.co/post/408625/polygon-labs-second-round-of-layoffs-2026-finalize-coinme-acquisition

Seen this a hundred times. Massive layoffs, but useless mid manager and c-suites are mostly retained. No real stock value injection attempted.

It is a tired strategy, one used on so many brands in the past. The goal is not to bring the company back to its former glory. The goal eventually is to shop to other rising companies.

Verizon lost. T-Mobile handed us our hats.

A coalition of twelve states, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has filed a lawsuit to block the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The states argue that the consolidation would reduce competition, leading to higher prices, lower quality content, and fewer opportunities for diverse storytelling in the film and television industry. Paramount has stated that the lawsuit misapplies antitrust laws and that they will vigorously defend the transaction. The Department of Justice had previously investigated and concluded the merger would increase competition. Industry observers note that smaller, independent filmmakers are already demonstrating market viability, challenging the necessity of such large-scale consolidation.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/julia-cassidy/2026/07/13/12-democratic-states-block-paramount-merge-with-warner-bros-n2679342

Walgreens Boots Alliance is now under private equity ownership following a significant acquisition. The company is implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures, including widespread layoffs and store closures. This strategic shift aims to streamline operations and improve profitability after a period of financial struggle. Former shareholders received a cash payout with the potential for additional returns from future asset divestitures. The company is fragmenting its business into independent units to focus on core competencies.

Deerfield, Illinois

https://www.kavout.com/market-lens/what-triggered-walgreens-shift-to-private-ownership

www.reuters.com/business/finance/stripe-advent-offer-buy-paypal-more-than-53-billion-sources-say-2026-07-15/

• Offer represents around 28% premium to PayPal's Tuesday closing price
• Banks committed about $50 billion in financing for the bid
• Stripe and Advent would each hold equal stakes in PayPal

Just to bring some geniuses onboard.

It’s been a year since Shell declared they were not going to make an offer on bp. And there have been almost no speculation about mergers or takeovers since then. This place must be so unappealing to the rest of the industry. Someone please just step up and do what need be done.

Zayo is bringing in former VZ leaders and setting the stage for Verizon to purchase them. This is their exit strategy. The new CEO came from the consulting industry and will help facilitate this

A judge has indicated the possibility of a buyer for the Schwebel Baking Company, which had announced plans to cease operations. This development comes after the Teamsters Union filed a lawsuit contesting the closure. The company, in business for over 120 years, is reportedly considering an expedited Chapter 11 bankruptcy to facilitate a sale. Discussions are ongoing between parties to determine the feasibility of this potential purchase. The identity of the prospective buyer has not yet been disclosed.

Youngstown, Ohio

https://www.wtae.com/article/schwebel-baking-company-buyer/71921509

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/cisco-csco-eyes-sentinelone-italy-061043025.html

An interesting read below:

AI may have begun as a race to build ever-larger models, but the battle is increasingly shifting to the infrastructure underneath them. Last week brought two notable reminders: Qualcomm’s nearly $4 billion acquisition of AI software startup Modular and reports that chipmaker SambaNova is finalizing an $800 million funding round at a $10 billion valuation. In an interview, GV investor Dave Munichiello speaks with Crunchbase News on a range of topics including why the software layer connecting increasingly diverse AI hardware is becoming strategically valuable, what Qualcomm’s Modular acquisition signals for other startups, and why he still sees a path to blockbuster IPOs in AI infrastructure. Plus, it’s not just the Modular deal: Crunchbase data shows a broad resurgence in billion-dollar startup exits, we revisit last week’s biggest U.S. funding rounds, and an investor makes the case that venture capital needs better data.
A GV investor on its 10x Modular return and AI’s next shift
As demand for AI inference explodes, GV managing partner Dave Munichiello says the next wave of infrastructure startups will be defined by efficiency: getting more value out of scarce, expensive compute. In an interview with Crunchbase News, Munichiello discusses why AI workloads are moving toward “disaggregated inference,” how open-source models could change who buys and runs AI infrastructure, and why he believes hardware-heavy startups can still grow into large, independent public companies. He also shares what the firm learned from its early investment in Modular, for which it is poised to earn a 10x return on dollars invested with the startup’s acquisition by Qualcomm announced last week.

You think you have it bad now?
Just wait until you are expected to be on call and available 24/7 under Musk.
Oh, yeah- he loves H1-bs, too.

VZ to acquire Dish out of bankruptcy, laying off massive amounts of head count to pay for it.

Layoffs to fly under the radar of the larger story

seems like this could be the biggest thing happening to this company.

anyone has seen any sign to confirm what the news reported?

I asked AI for a friend about Possible acquisition of Teradata.

“ Teradata is widely considered a notable and highly viable takeover target for private equity (PE) firms and larger tech conglomerates. Multiple financial institutions and market dynamics point to Teradata being a prime candidate for a strategic acquisition“

Just sayin…. If the pattern fits…. Wear it.

They keep talking about the majority of the minority vote being needed to merge DT and Tmo. So how would you do that if you knew the current minority would vote no? You push them out. How? Drop the stock price so people panic sell. Lay them off so they are forced to sell. Devalue the company as much as possible so a buyout must happen for the org to survive. Once DT acquires TMo, sell to starlink because the FCC can't block a german owned company.

The goal isn't financial success right now, it can't be.

The Blue washing marches on. . .

https://www.reddit.com/r/IBM/comments/1uqubjb/red_hat_it_is_being_moved_to_ibm_effective_oct_1/

I thought it was odd that the job listing is for either Berwyn, PA or NYC. We're looking at two completely different applicant pools there, and does this mean they've acquired a new PA office in Berwyn, or is this just the Archer office?

"We’re seeking a future team member for the role of Vice President, Full Stack Engineer to join our Managed Accounts Solutions Platform team. This role is located in Berwyn, PA or New York, NY."

I haven't heard anything new about Pennington or Wilmington office closures, but then, the way this place operates we probably won't hear anything until the last minute.

Time Warner and should have left it alone. That was a gem of an asset that could have had significant growth but the SBC blockheads had to get their grubby paws into it and dirty up the punch bowl. You think about all the M&A over the years and what they botched, divested, ruined etc...The hubris for an SBC Telco Executive team to think they could do better than the entertainment talent of Time Warner. With AT&T Executives I see little to no connection with the masses of customers or the overwhelming majority of the employee base. I left 2+ years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Those hanging around based on some mythical package they think they will get.....times have changed and those days are over.

https://www.lightreading.com/business-management/t-mobile-hires-former-at-t-exec-chris-sambar-for-b2b-push

America's Test Kitchen has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs and operational shifts since its acquisition by Marquee Brands. These changes include the closure of ATK Kids and Cook's Country magazine, alongside a strategic pivot towards digital content and influencer collaborations. Company leadership asserts these adjustments are necessary for adaptation in a changing media landscape, aiming for organizational right-sizing rather than simple cost-cutting. Former employees express concerns that these shifts may dilute the brand's core mission of rigorous recipe testing. Despite these internal shifts, the company's flagship television show remains a primary driver of subscriptions.

Boston, MA

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/09/business/americas-test-kitchen-layoffs-strategy/

How much do you want to bet that Fiserv does sell to those big banks but the deal still has Fiserv operating the network. Meaning basically nothing changes other than some money. This allows the banks to bypass the regulations and Fiserv keeps doing its thing. Imagine how difficult it would be to pull Star out of Fiserv at this point, I would say a minimum of 5 years to unwind that beast.

SV was concerned and confused about the fact that 105 people voted on the Slido question...ELT will lie to our faces and call us crazy for questioning them

Quote from earnings call:

"While we continue to drive ASV growth, we are focused on capitalizing on our scale to deliver long term sustainable and profitable growth. To that end, we have launched a range of strategic projects aimed at running FactSet with greater discipline and efficiency. Sanoke outlined multiple productivity, but from an operational standpoint, I will highlight 2 items we initiated during Q3 and completed in the past few weeks. We recently rightsized certain engineering teams as we standardize how we build and run software and take advantage of AI assisted coding. Additionally, we entered into an arrangement with RepRisk to support our clients' needs as we discontinued the signals attribution service FactSet provided following the 2020 acquisition of Truvalue Labs."

Electric vehicle maker Rivian is planning to sell 75 million shares of its stock. This move is intended to raise funds for equity contributions required by a U.S. Department of Energy loan. The company is working to meet the terms of this significant energy loan. This offering represents a substantial effort by Rivian to secure necessary financing. The sale aims to fulfill financial obligations tied to federal energy funding.

South San Francisco, California

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/manufacturing-logistics/ccb-rivian-selling-shares-20260706/

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/education/college/2026/07/07/iowa-city-based-act-sale-to-ets-follows-layoffs-losses-iowa-students-high-school-college-readiness/90823864007/

Shell has first mover advantage by selling non operated Nakika asset. This simplifies the company significantly and creates capital and capacity where it’s needed. Now BP will have Talos as a partner. Talos going to learn the hard way how slow and complex BP really operates.
Why didn’t BP sale when they had a chance?

Looks like Hudson was saved for now. Maybe they can't find a buyer yet. Mt Top has been sold.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/big-us-banks-explore-fiserv-network-deal-wsj-reports-2026-07-06/

Remember when T as a company was an innovator of new technologies. What was T's last successful innovation? They lost that culture and were duped into spending 100's of billions in mergers and takeovers only to have to sell them for pennies on the dollar. How did the once top innovator in the world miss the AI innovation?

$1.5 billion is a lot of money, they'll have to compensate somehow.

Lessons learned from Hormuz conflict is that XOM needs secure LNG and Venture Global is the perfect fit. XOM was slow in January of 2026 where it could have bought it cheap…and most likely paid it off in short term

Lessons learned from Hormuz conflict is that XOM needs secure LNG and Venture Global is the perfect fit. XOM was slow in January of 2026 where it could have bought it cheap…and most likely paid it off in short term

Lessons learned from Hormuz conflict is that XOM needs secure LNG and Venture Global is the perfect fit. XOM was slow in January of 2026 where it could have bought it cheap…and most likely paid it off in short term

Capital One's CEO, Richard Fairbank, received $40 million in total compensation for 2025. His unique pay package does not include a traditional cash salary but is instead entirely performance-based, consisting primarily of performance share units and a one-time stock and cash award tied to the company's acquisition of Discover Think they really care about any of these post ! Nope