Is ESG prompting the end of shareholder primacy?
Pressure to integrate ESG factors into corporate culture means big business is shifting away from shareholder primacy and towards stakeholder capitalism. But is this move at the expense of profit?
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by Baker McKenzie
ESG and the rise of sustainable dealmaking
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are fast becoming a central part of how investors and companies are preparing for the future.
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The pandemic has stalled activist investors, but for how long?
Activist investors have had a quiet year, thanks to Covid-19. Even a group of investors renowned for their aggressive tactics were reluctant to publicly attack companies reeling from the impact of a global pandemic.
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Masayoshi Son and the faulty crystal ball
In fairy tales, a crystal ball can be many things: it can reveal the future, but it can also be a malevolent charm.
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How SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son struggled with his crystal ball purchase
Why has Chinese dealmaking fizzled out? Due Diligence’s dynamic duo, James Fontanella-Khan and Arash Massoudi, answer this question in a brilliant comic book style video.
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Can cross-border transactions fuel growth in a post-Covid world?
As the markets start to stabilise in the fourth quarter of a challenging year for M&A, a number of significant trends have emerged.
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Small is beautiful: private equity adapts to the pandemic
Digital transformation driven by M&A: what are the legal implications?
Read moreby Baker McKenzie
Digital transformation driven by M&A: what are the legal implications?
Digital transformation driven by M&A: what are the legal implications?
Listenby Baker McKenzie
M&A in the wake of Covid-19: strategies for a healthy business
Several months into this global pandemic and businesses are facing a pivotal moment. Government reinforcement from bailouts and support schemes has been quick to land, but despite this injection of liquidity, the global economy will shrink by 5.2 per cent
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The Occidental megadeal that didn’t go quite as planned
M&A is tough. Megadeals can be even tougher. That’s exactly what Vicki Hollub, CEO of Houston-based Occidental Petroleum, discovered with last year’s $55bn takeover of US shale oil producer Anadarko Petroleum.
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How a big deal backfired at Occidental Petroleum
Last year Vicki Hollub, the CEO of Houston-based Occidental Petroleum, pulled off one of the biggest coups in the history of big oil.
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When will the corporate dealmaking boom end?
The past five years have seen over $20tn worth of M&A deals thanks to favourable market conditions, as well as resilience in the face of more recent risks.
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Green means go for a new era of finance
With growing pressure on businesses to incorporate ESG in dealmaking, green bonds are proving increasingly attractive. What does growth in this method of sustainable finance mean for the investment market?
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Where will Buffett find his next blockbuster deal?
Warren Buffett has long been admired for his investment decisions but a multibillion-dollar writedown at Kraft Heinz earlier this year has left a big blemish on his recent performance.
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Why technology is the biggest disruptor of traditional M&A
As technology continues to reshape large industrial companies, to what extent can these businesses still be deemed ‘traditional’?
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The transformational impact of tech
As technology continues to reshape large industrial companies, M&A activity in this sector is on the up. It brings with it a transformation of global workforces and a shift in national identities.
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Activist investors’ growing appetite for corporate change
More investors than ever are adopting an activist playbook and their appetite shows no signs of waning.
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Big pharma’s billion-dollar bets
In dealmaking, big used to be better. Banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup dominated the M&A market.
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Rise of the boutique banks
In dealmaking, big used to be better. Banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup dominated the M&A market.
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Why healthtech gets our pulses racing
With healthcare providers turning to digital to meet consumer demands, an increasing convergence of healthcare and tech companies could restore M&A activity for 2019. But is this emerging healthtech sector immune to global uncertainty?
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The western backlash against China's dealmaking
Why has Chinese dealmaking fizzled out? Due Diligence’s dynamic duo, James Fontanella-Khan and Arash Massoudi, answer this question in a brilliant comic book style video.
Watch videoby Baker McKenzie
Healthcare meets tech: fit for purpose
Increasing pressure on healthcare systems, massive tech growth and consumer-led demand are the perfect recipe for strong M&A activity in the emerging healthtech sector.
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Distress to Impress
With indicators pointing to the peak of the current financial cycle, an economic downturn could be imminent, bringing with it an uptick in distressed M&A activity.
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Why the tech giants have CEOs running scared
Due Diligence’s James Fontanella-Khan, US corporate finance and deals editor, explains why established companies from brick and mortar retailers to broadcasters are taking risky bets on big acquisitions.
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Where will Buffett find his next blockbuster deal?
Warren Buffett has long been admired for his investment decisions but a multibillion-dollar writedown at Kraft Heinz earlier this year has left a big blemish on his recent performance. The Oracle of Omaha is undeterred, saying he continues to be on the hunt for his next large-scale acquisition.
In August, Berkshire Hathaway, his sprawling investment conglomerate, reported a 17 per cent year on year increase in second quarter profits to $14.1bn, or $8,608 per class A share. The company attributed just under $8bn of its profits in the period to swings in financial markets and the sales of some of its securities, which offset lower insurance underwriting profits in the three months to June.
High equity valuations have stayed the 89-year-old investor’s hand but — with a record high $122bn cash pile at his disposal — he has no shortage of potential purchases.
Due Diligence's Arash Massoudi and James Fontanella-Khan explain why Mr Buffett has struggled recently and where he might look for his next big bets.
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