Private Markets

Public companies should anticipate robust enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) new cybersecurity rules, even as challenges in compliance persist, according to experts. The rules mandate public companies to disclose any "material cybersecurity incidents" to the SEC via Form 8-K within four days of determining it as a material breach. All covered entities, excluding smaller reporting businesses, are required to adhere to the new breach disclosure requirements...

In the early twentieth century, the New York Stock Exchange saw the active trading of numerous corporate bonds, yet investors faced limited information about these securities. This scenario changed in 1909 when John Moody introduced a letter-grade system to rate bonds, offering investors a simplified yet crucial tool for evaluating risk. Carola Frydman, a finance professor at the Kellogg School, along with researchers Asaf Bernstein and Eric Hilt, explored the transformative impact of Moody's innovation on financial markets...

Private equity giant Blackstone is set to acquire the pet care app Rover in an all-cash deal valued at $2.3 billion, according to an announcement by the companies. The deal will pay Rover shareholders $11 per share, representing a 61% premium over Rover's average share price in the past 90 trading days...

Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager, has announced a definitive agreement for private equity funds managed by its affiliates to acquire Civica, a global leader in public sector software solutions, from Partners Group. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the deal underscores Blackstone's strategic move to bolster its presence in the government technology (GovTech) space...

Blackstone, a leading investment manager, is reportedly in the final stages of raising approximately $400 million for its Blackstone Private Credit Fund (BCRED), aiming to secure additional investment advantages. The New York-based firm plans to raise funds through collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) secured by loans held by its flagship $52 billion private credit fund, according to documents viewed by the Financial Times...

In the face of challenges in the private equity fundraising landscape, French buyout group PAI Partners has successfully closed its latest fund, PAI Europe VIII, raising an impressive $7.59 billion. This exceeded the company's initial target and stands as a testament to investor confidence in PAI's Real Economy strategy and its consistent performance throughout economic cycles...

In a significant move towards addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development, leading investment firm KKR recently closed its $2.8 billion Global Impact Fund II ("GIF II"). The fund, succeeding its predecessor, is designed to invest in companies whose products and services contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)...

In a significant move towards advancing the global energy transition, Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners have jointly acquired Australian energy market software provider Energy Exemplar, a deal worth approximately $1 billion, according to undisclosed sources. The acquisition highlights a strategic bet on the growing demand for simulation tools that enable power utilities, grid operators, and renewable energy developers to optimize production capacity and efficiency in an evolving energy landscape...

In a remarkable feat, global investment firm Blackstone has successfully reached its $40 billion target for its infrastructure unit, just six years after its inception. This achievement highlights the firm's strategic prowess and its commitment to driving sustainable and transformative investments in the infrastructure sector...

In a significant move towards democratizing access to private equity, J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Private Equity Group (PEG) has unveiled the JPMorgan Private Markets Fund (JPMF), an evergreen private equity fund registered under the 1940 Act. This pioneering venture provides both individual and institutional clients with an opportunity to invest in private equity with a minimum investment of $25,000, all while eliminating capital calls and offering simplified tax reporting...