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Hg Considers Sale of $1.9 Billion Financial Data Firm FE fundinfo

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Buyout firm Hg is preparing to potentially sell its financial data company FE fundinfo, valued at around $1.9 billion, sources told Reuters. The London-based firm, which provides investment data and performance analytics to asset managers and financial institutions, is expected to generate roughly £70 million ($93.2 million) in EBITDA this year and could command a valuation exceeding 20 times earnings.

While no final decision has been made and preparations remain at an early stage, Hg is anticipated to launch a sales auction by late 2025, although the timeline could extend into 2026. FE fundinfo is likely to attract interest from global exchanges, wealth management firms, and private equity groups.

This move follows a trend of high-valuation deals in the financial technology and data sector, including SS&C Technologies’ £766 million acquisition of Calastone and BlackRock’s £2.55 billion purchase of Preqin last year. FE fundinfo itself was formed in 2018 through the merger of three companies—FE, F2C, and fundinfo—the same year Hg invested.

The company has been active in expanding its footprint with five acquisitions in the past year, such as data firm Fundipedia, UK’s Lunar AI, and German fintech Dericon. FE fundinfo aims to streamline investment efficiency by connecting fund managers and distributors to share trusted information.

Hg and FE fundinfo declined to comment on the potential sale.

Global M&A Reaches $2.6 Trillion in 2025, Driven by AI and Growth Ambitions

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Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have hit $2.6 trillion in the first seven months of 2025 — the highest level since the pandemic-era peak of 2021 — as companies prioritize growth and capitalize on opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI). Despite a 16% drop in the number of transactions compared to last year, total deal value rose 28%, fueled by large-scale U.S. transactions exceeding $10 billion.

Key deals include Union Pacific Corp’s proposed $85 billion takeover of Norfolk Southern and OpenAI’s $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank. These transactions mark a shift from early-year hesitation caused by U.S. tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, as renewed boardroom confidence and a clearer regulatory environment spur activity.

Industry experts say the M&A landscape is now heavily growth-oriented, with AI adoption and regulatory changes prompting companies to move quickly to avoid falling behind. Compared to August 2021’s $3.57 trillion, current activity is still down 27%, but bankers expect more large deals in the second half of 2025 as executives adapt to market volatility and post-election policy direction.

Healthcare dominated post-pandemic dealmaking, but over the past two years, technology and electronics have taken the lead. AI-driven needs, such as data center infrastructure and cybersecurity, are major drivers — highlighted by Samsung’s $1.7 billion purchase of FlaktGroup and Palo Alto Networks’ $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk. Private equity has also re-entered the market, with major bids like Sycamore Partners’ $10 billion move to take Walgreens Boots Alliance private and competing offers from KKR and Advent for UK firm Spectris.

The U.S. remains the world’s largest M&A market, representing more than half of global deals, while Asia Pacific’s activity doubled from last year, surpassing the pace of EMEA growth.

Thoma Bravo to Acquire Restaurant Tech Firm Olo in $2 Billion All-Cash Deal

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Buyout firm Thoma Bravo has agreed to acquire Olo, a provider of digital ordering and payment solutions for restaurants, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. The deal offers Olo shareholders $10.25 per share, representing a 65% premium over the stock’s closing price on April 30, before sale rumors emerged. Olo’s shares rose more than 13% in early trading following the announcement.

Founded in 2005 and based in New York, Olo serves over 750 restaurant brands across 88,000 locations worldwide, including chains like Denny’s, P.F. Chang’s, Nando’s, and Cold Stone Creamery. The company became privately held after the acquisition, which is expected to enhance its growth by strengthening its platform and offerings.

Olo has undergone workforce reductions in recent years, cutting about 9% of its employees last year following an 11% reduction in 2023. Despite earlier losses, the company improved profitability with a net income of $1.81 million in the first quarter of 2025. As of December 2024, Olo employed 617 staff in the U.S.

Thoma Bravo, a major software-focused investment firm managing roughly $184 billion in assets, expects to finalize the acquisition by the end of 2025. Olo faces a termination fee of $73.7 million in cash if the deal falls through under specific conditions. Goldman Sachs is serving as Olo’s exclusive financial adviser.