Thu.Nov 21, 2024

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Cyber Whistleblower Leads to DOJ Civil Settlement

Harvard Corporate Governance

Posted by Andrew M. Levine, Erez Liebermann, and Stephanie Cipolla, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, on Thursday, November 21, 2024 Editor's Note: Andrew M. Levine and Erez Liebermann are Partners and Stephanie Cipolla is an Associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. This post is based on a Debevoise memorandum by Mr. Levine, Mr. Liebermann, Ms. Cipolla, Luke Dembosky , Avi Gesser , and Jim Pastore.

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Alibaba Reshapes E-Commerce Operations, Names Jiang Fan as Unit CEO

Benzinga

Alibaba Group Holding (NYSE: BABA ) announced plans to consolidate its domestic and international e-commerce operations into a single unit called Alibaba E-commerce Business Group. The newly created division will be led by Jiang Fan, the current head of Alibaba International Digital Commerce, who has been the group’s CEO. He will report directly to Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming, SCMP reports.

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Trending Sources

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Directors: Know the Risks before Caving to Activist Demands for a Public Sales Process

Harvard Corporate Governance

Posted by Patrick Ryan, Edelman Smithfield, on Thursday, November 21, 2024 Editor's Note: Patrick Ryan is an Executive Vice President at Edelman Smithfield. This post is based on a Edelman memorandum by Mr. Ryan, Lex Suvanto , and Josh Hochberg. Disclosing a strategic review can be the most important decision of a public company director’s tenure. Directors facing activist pressure to announce should weigh the benefits and costs, including the probability and consequences of failing to find a bu

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What will it take for working women to rise?

Mckinsey and Company

Ten years of research reveals what’s better, what’s worse, and what all of us can do now to help more women advance—more quickly—at work.

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How to Leverage Intent Data for Better Outcomes

Speaker: Susan Spencer, Principal of Spencer Communications

Intent signal data can go a long way toward shortening sales cycles and closing more deals. The challenge is deciding which is the best type of intent data to help your company meet its sales and marketing goals. In this webinar, Susan Spencer, fractional CMO and principal of Spencer Communications, will unpack the differences between contact-level and company-level intent signals.

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Tritax Investors Green Light Brookfield's £557M Takeover

Law 360 M&A

Shareholders at Tritax EuroBox shareholders have approved a £557 million bid by Canadian investment management giant Brookfield to acquire the U.K. logistics real estate investor.

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Platform Acquisitions Set to Rebound: Analyzing the Shift in M&A Strategies

Scott Mashuda

Market Shifts: From Add-On Dominance to a Potential Platform Resurgence In recent years, M&A activity has been characterized by a strong preference for add-on acquisitions, also known as the “buy-and-build strategy.” This trend intensified in 2024 , driven by inflationary pressures. These smaller, strategic purchases have allowed companies to expand their capabilities, enter new markets, or consolidate their positions without taking on the risks associated with larger deals.

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Inventory Management Strategies for Franchised Auto Dealers

Auto Dealer Valuation Insights

Unlike used car dealers who primarily rely on auctions and trade-ins, new vehicle dealerships get an “allocation” of inventory from their original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”). Car makers initially began the franchise distribution model to focus on their core competency: building automobiles. Sales to consumers are executed by dealers, who are allocated the OEM’s annual production.

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Big Lots Seeks To Include Claims Against Execs In Asset Sale

Law 360 M&A

Discount retailer Big Lots on Thursday asked a Delaware bankruptcy judge to approve a $760 million asset sale to a private equity group and override creditor objections to the inclusion of potential litigation claims against company insiders in the package.

Equity 52
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Whitepaper Release: Purchase Price Allocations for RIAs

Auto Dealer Valuation Insights

There’s been a great deal of interest in RIA acquisitions in recent years from a diverse group of buyers ranging from consolidators, other RIAs, banks, diversified financial services companies, and private equity. These acquirers have been drawn to RIA acquisitions due to the high margins, recurring revenue, low capital needs, and sticky client bases that RIAs often offer.

Banking 52
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Tempur Gave UK Co. 'Total Autonomy' Post-Merger, CEO Says

Law 360 M&A

The CEO of a United Kingdom-based mattress company acquired by Tempur Sealy in 2021 told a Houston federal judge Thursday that his new parent company has provided him "total autonomy" since the acquisition.

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Statement of Cash Flows vs. Cash Flow Statement

Speaker: Wayne Spivak - President and Chief Financial Officer of SBA * Consulting LTD, Industry Writer, and Public Speaker

The old adages that "cash is king" and "you can’t spend profits" still hold true today. But however well-known these sayings might be, it requires a change in mindset to properly implement a cash flow management system that predicts your business's runaway as accurately as possible. Key to this new mindset is understanding the difference between the Statement of Cash Flows, a historical look at the source and uses of cash, and the Cash Flow Statement, which uses transaction history and forward-l

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Themes from Q3 Earnings Calls

Auto Dealer Valuation Insights

In our prior quarterly analysis of earnings calls for Exploration & Production (“E&P”) and Oilfield Services (“OFS”) companies, we noted that despite strong international demand, domestic natural gas prices were deflated which forced companies to focus on maximizing their efficiency.

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Kirkland-Led LLCP Secures $575M For Continuation Fund

Law 360 M&A

Middle-market private equity shop Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, advised by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, on Thursday announced that it closed a multiasset continuation fund after securing $575 million in capital commitments, which will be used to buy interests in three portfolio companies.

Equity 52
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Determining What Rises to the Level of an Internal Audit Observation

Internal Audit 360

GUEST BLOG POST D uring a recent audit, I encountered a conflict with a senior internal audit team member regarding the finalization of an audit observation. This team member was keen to incorporate insights from a market survey and customer feedback into our report, specifically calling out concerns over the company’s discount policy. While I recognized the insights provided, I had initially overlooked this particular finding, as it did not meet our criteria for an audit observation.

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Latham, Paul Weiss Guide $370M Investment In Lighthouse

Law 360 M&A

Travel and hospitality platform Lighthouse, steered by Paul Weiss, has received $370 million in a Series C investment round led by Latham-advised private equity firm KKR that will be used to "drive continued product innovation," the company announced Thursday.

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Mastering Intent Data: Understanding its Importance & Best Practices

Speaker: Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union

In this webinar, Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union and business strategist, will take you through the ABCs of intent data. You'll learn how to effectively use it to drive business results, with practical tips on how to leverage both company and contact intent data to maximize your marketing efforts. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just getting started, this webinar is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.

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Google, Anthropic Deal In Jeopardy As US Justice Department Looks To Snap Online Search Monopoly

Benzinga

Regulators are looking to block Google from investing $2 billion in Antrophic , a Jeff Bezos -backed rival to artificial intelligence (AI) innovator OpenAI. What Happened : The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended in a court filing Wednesday that Alphabet Inc ‘s (NASDAQ: GOOG ) (NASDAQ: GOOGL ) Google divest its Chrome browser to dismantle its monopoly on online search.

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3 Ways To Train Junior Lawyers In 30 Minutes Or Less

Law 360 M&A

Today’s junior lawyers are experiencing a skills gap due to pandemic-era disruptions, but firms can help bring them up to speed by offering high-impact skill building content in bite-sized, interactive training sessions, say Stacey Schwartz at Katten, Diane Costigan at Winston & Strawn and Lauren Tierney at Freshfields.

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What is AI Washing and What are the Risks? |Ncontracts

N Contracts

Artificial intelligence (AI) washing has become a heated topic as more companies tout their AI-powered products and services, from washing machines to new investment products. But are many companies overstating their use of AI? And if so, is it a big deal?

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Mayer Brown Practice Co-Head To Lead Linklaters Team

Law 360 M&A

Following a series of high-level corporate and finance hires this year, Linklaters announced Thursday that it is hiring the former co-leader of Mayer Brown LLP's infrastructure mergers and acquisitions practice as its head of U.S. infrastructure and private capital M&A.

Finance 52
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How Much Can You Contribute to Your Retirement Plan in 2025?

Meade & Moore

The IRS just revealed the answer The IRS has issued its 2025 inflation-adjusted contribution amounts for retirement plans in Notice 2024-80. Many retirement-plan-related limits will increase for 2025 — but less than in prior years. Thus, depending on the type of plan you have, you may have limited opportunities to increase your retirement savings.

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White & Case Guides Mediaocean On $525M Innovid Buy

Law 360 M&A

Private equity-backed advertising company Mediaocean said Thursday it has agreed to buy software platform Innovid for roughly $525 million, with White & Case LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP steering the deal as legal counsel.

Equity 52
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Starbucks Eyes Stake Sale in China Amid Fierce Competition and Falling Sales

Benzinga

Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX ) is evaluating options for its Chinese operations, including the potential sale of a stake in the business. The coffee chain has consulted advisers on strategies to expand in China and has gauged interest from potential investors, including local private equity firms, Bloomberg cites familiar sources. Possible buyers include Chinese conglomerates or regional companies with relevant industry expertise.

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PE Posting Near-Record Megadeal Numbers, Report Shows

Law 360 M&A

Private equity dealmaking has built significant momentum this year, notching respectable deal volume and posting a record number of megadeals over $5 billion, according to a new report from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Equity 52
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Novartis Elevates Midterm Sales Forecast, CEO Highlights Robust Pipeline

Benzinga

On Thursday, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS ) raised its mid-term sales guidance, increasing its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) target to 6% from 5% for 2023-2028. The upgrade reflects performance from current growth drivers and anticipated launches, many of which are expected to retain U.S. exclusivity into the 2030s. The updated forecast, announced ahead of the company's Meet Novartis Management event in London, underscores its confidence in sustained momentum.

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2 Energy Transition-Focused SPACs Raise $210M Combined

Law 360 M&A

Two special purpose acquisition companies looking to capitalize on energy transition opportunities began trading publicly on Thursday after announcing pricing for their respective initial public offerings, which combined would raise $210 million.

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Business Valuation for Selling a Retail Trade Business

Peak Business Valuation

When it comes to selling a retail trade business , understanding its true value is essential to ensure a successful and profitable transaction. A business valuation for selling a retail trade business serves as a crucial step in this process. It provides an in-depth analysis of the company’s worth and sets the stage for informed negotiations. Whether you’re a long-time business owner or an entrepreneur looking to sell your first venture, having a clear picture of your business’s valu

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Recent Listeria Outbreaks Hold Key Compliance Lessons

Law 360 M&A

Listeria outbreaks in ready-to-eat foods from Boar's Head and other companies, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration responses to these outbreaks, should be closely evaluated from an overall compliance and risk management perspective by food manufacturers, retailers and industry investors, say attorneys at Kirkland.

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Centerfield Acquires Social Commerce Platform Brainjolt

Benzinga

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centerfield , a premier technology service for digital customer acquisition, today announced the acquisition of Brainjolt , a social commerce platform that curates and promotes products to its engaged audiences on Meta, Snap and TikTok. Centerfield's digital brands and proprietary platform, Dugout, engage in-market consumers and supercharge customer acquisition for leading brands in home services, insurance, business services, e-commerce, and ma

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Consortium Set To Complete €2.2B Cybersecurity Biz Buy

Law 360 M&A

Exclusive Networks said Thursday that its biggest shareholder Permira and U.S. private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice have won all the regulatory clearances for their approximately €2.2 billion buy of the French cybersecurity firm.

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Comment on Is a Horde of Deadbeat Borrowers Again Walking Among Us? by Baggins

Appraisers Blog

Government complicity enables deadbeat borrowers, burdening housing market disconnect & artificially inflating home prices.

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Chewy Investors Sue BC Partners In Del. Over PetSmart Deal

Law 360 M&A

British international investment giant BC Partners exploited its control of online pet product retailer Chewy Inc. when a BCP affiliate merged into Chewy after divesting its interest in PetSmart Inc., saddling Chewy with a potential $1.9 billion post-deal tax liability, according to a new Delaware Court of Chancery complaint.

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Gene Panel Market to Surpass USD 11.75 Billion by 2031 | SkyQuest Technology

Benzinga

Westford, USA, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SkyQuest projects that the Global Gene Panel Market share will reach a value of USD 11.75 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 19.30% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The gene panel industry is growing due to the increased requirement for genetic screening to prevent the death rates from genetic abnormalities and the growing incidence of cancer and hereditary disorders.

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HSF-Led Military Tech Co. To Buy Oz Telecoms Biz For $94M

Law 360 M&A

U.K. defense technology group Cohort said Thursday that it has agreed to buy satellite products business EM Solutions for 144 million Australian dollars ($94 million) as it seeks to expand into the growing naval satellite communications market.

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BDA Advises Hanwha Life on Acquisition of Majority Stake in Velocity Clearing

Benzinga

Milestone transaction will mark the first time a Korean insurance company has acquired a controlling interest in a foreign brokerage firm. New York, NY November 21, 2024 --( PR.com )-- BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, Hanwha Life, South Korea’s first life insurance company, has agreed to acquire a 75% stake in the parent of Velocity Clearing, a US-based global financial services firm.

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Debevoise & Plimpton Discusses Key Considerations for the 2024 Annual Reporting Season

Reynolds Holding

As November comes to an end, the busy annual reporting and proxy season begins for many public companies. In this Client Update, we highlight key considerations for public companies when preparing their annual reports on Form 10-K or Form 20-F, including a new exhibit filing requirement for insider trading policies. For a checklist covering these considerations, see the Annex to this update.