Yazılar

Australia’s Iress Shares Surge on Early Buyout Talks with Blackstone and Thoma Bravo

/in /tarafından

Shares of Australian financial software firm Iress jumped up to 15.6% to A$9.69 on Friday, hitting the highest level since January, after the company disclosed early takeover discussions with U.S. investment giant Blackstone and private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The talks come after Blackstone previously made and withdrew a A$1.94 billion ($1.27 billion) takeover offer.

Iress stated it is in early-stage engagement with both firms to explore whether a new offer could be recommended by its board. No new per-share price was disclosed in the latest update. The stock’s rally marks its biggest intraday percentage gain since November 2023, though the current price remains below Blackstone’s earlier A$10.50 per share bid.

The takeover interest follows a broader trend of private equity firms seeking acquisitions in the Australian software sector. Recently, Infomedia agreed to a A$651 million takeover by TPG’s Asia-focused private equity fund.

Iress has a history of takeover attempts, notably a failed A$3 billion bid from Swedish firm EQT in 2021. For fiscal 2024, the company reported a net profit after tax of A$30.1 million and revenues of A$604.6 million.

Blackstone to Acquire Energy Data Firm Enverus in $6.5 Billion Deal

/in /tarafından

Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, announced on Wednesday it has agreed to acquire energy data and analytics provider Enverus. Sources indicate the deal could be valued at up to $6.5 billion if Enverus meets certain financial targets, with Blackstone committing between $6.1 billion and $6.4 billion for the acquisition. The transaction is expected to be partly financed by approximately $3 billion in debt.

This acquisition marks a sign of revival in private equity dealmaking following a slowdown caused by economic uncertainties and tariffs. Blackstone’s President Jonathan Gray recently noted that the “dealmaking pause was behind us.”

Enverus, based in Austin, Texas, provides analytics and benchmark data to over 8,000 customers worldwide, spanning energy producers, suppliers, utilities, and power companies. Founded in 1999, it leverages AI and real-time intelligence in the energy sector—a focus highlighted by Enverus CEO Manuj Nikhanj, who called the partnership a “launchpad” for growth.

Blackstone’s investment follows its recent moves in energy, including the acquisition of a large natural gas power plant in Virginia earlier this year. The deal, expected to close by the end of 2025, was advised by RBC Capital Markets and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, while Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Kirkland & Ellis advised Enverus and its current owner Hellman & Friedman.

Hellman & Friedman, which acquired Enverus in 2021 for $4.25 billion, initiated the current sale process, drawing interest from multiple buyout firms.

Blackstone Considers Minority Investment in U.S. TikTok Spinoff

/in /tarafından

Private equity giant Blackstone is exploring a potential minority investment in TikTok’s U.S. operations, joining a group of non-Chinese shareholders led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. This group is actively discussing fresh capital infusion to bid for TikTok’s U.S. business, with plans to spin off the U.S. operations into a separate entity, reducing Chinese ownership below the 20% threshold required by U.S. law.

This move comes as TikTok’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance due to national security concerns. A law passed last year mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19 or face a potential ban. While the deadline has been extended under President Trump’s administration, negotiations continue to ensure compliance with the law.

ByteDance and its investors, including Blackstone, have yet to disclose the amount of new investment needed to meet the divestment requirements. Legal filings indicate that global investors own about 58% of ByteDance, with the company’s Chinese founder Zhang Yiming holding another 21%. Employees from various nationalities, including 7,000 Americans, own the remaining shares.

Discussions surrounding TikTok’s future involve significant U.S. government input, with the White House acting as a key player in the deal-making process.