Orphans of the storm: the rise of ‘mega bankruptcies’
February 2026 | COVER STORY
At the outset of 2026, monitoring interest rates, consumer sentiment and credit availability will be key to determining whether the pace of bankruptcy filings will persist or give way to a period of stabilisation.
Optimism emerging: outlook for media M&A in 2026
February 2026 | FEATURE
Consolidation is likely to continue in the media space throughout 2026, particularly among content producers, streaming platforms and firms seeking scale, data capabilities and diversified revenue streams.
Private equity’s strategic pivot
February 2026 | FEATURE
Going forward, PE will continue to adapt and evolve amid changing and challenging economic conditions. Driven by a focus on AI and infrastructure, cautious optimism is emerging in the PE space.
The great portfolio rebalancing: a shift in diversification
February 2026 | FEATURE
The inverse relationship between stocks and bonds has broken down and, as a result, investors have begun searching for new anchors in a world defined by almost perpetual volatility.
Private equity
February 2026 | WORLDWATCH
Private equity is undergoing a significant transformation worldwide, driven by structural and regulatory reforms alongside ambitious government strategies. The market is also being shaped by a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence, as investors evaluate how the adoption of new technologies influences operational performance and valuations. FW moderates a discussion between Romain Dambre at A&O Shearman, Daniel Mathias at Cohen & Gresser (UK) LLP, Nishesh Dalal at Deloitte, Salmaan Khawaja at Grant Thornton UAE, and Vanessa Grant at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.
Q&A: New FCPA landscape: implications of the DOJ’s enforcement reset
February 2026 | SPECIAL REPORT
Companies should expect to walk through their investigative timeline, methodology, custodial decisions, and remediation steps in a clear and defensible manner. The DOJ does not reward performance or optics. FW discusses the implications of the DOJ’s enforcement reset on the FCPA landscape with Didier Lavion and Jonathan T. Marks at BDO.
Finalising the EU Anti-Corruption Directive to harmonise member state laws
February 2026 | SPECIAL REPORT
The Directive is not limited to corruption offences in the strict sense, but also introduces regulations in the area of abuse of office and classic property criminal law. Its impact should not be underestimated.
The new dealmaking dynamics: what 2025 taught executives about winning the next M&A cycle
February 2026 | SPOTLIGHT
The winners in 2026 will not be the companies that do the most deals, rather they will be the ones that can do the right deals quickly, credibly and that will pass regulatory scrutiny.
Carve-outs in a challenging economy: what smart sellers are doing differently
February 2026 | TALKINGPOINT
It is important to be flexible in the process, both in terms of the carve-out approach and the deal structure, to achieve the best outcome. FW discusses carve-outs in a challenging economy with Mala Shah, Tom Morris, Amy Bishop and Gurjit Garcha at KPMG in the UK.
Outlook for restructuring and insolvency in the Middle East
January 2026 | TALKINGPOINT
Restructuring strategies increasingly emphasise early intervention through preventive settlement procedures, liability management exercises and court-supervised negotiations under United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia frameworks. FW discusses the outlook for restructuring and insolvency in the Middle East with Mihir Bhatt at Kroll.
Foreign investments and the interplay of merger control, FDI and FSR
January 2026 | MARKET PULSE
International cooperation frameworks have evolved significantly to address the complexity and urgency of recovering illicit assets. FW discusses cross-border investigations and asset recovery strategies with Edgars Volskis, Pei Li Wong, Jonathan Graessle and Barry Robinson at BDO.
Energy industry megatrends: navigating the next decade
January 2026 | MARKET PULSE
Several long-term developments are shaping how energy is generated, distributed and consumed. These evolving dynamics are also affecting policy decisions, investment priorities and the broader role of energy in economic and geopolitical contexts.
The high-stakes future of healthcare consolidation and regulation
November 2025 | SPOTLIGHT
Anticipating regulatory shifts and embedding compliance into strategy allows providers to withstand pressure and turn limitations into opportunities. Maintaining regulatory vigilance in tandem with the evolution of business development goals is key to successful enterprise risk management.
Selective and strategic: the rise of megadeals in a leaner M&A market
November 2025 | SPOTLIGHT
Megadeals are not without peril. Beyond merging systems and processes, megadeals require aligning corporate cultures, leadership teams and brand positioning. A single misstep risks eroding projected synergies.
‘Be your own activist’ – avoiding common pitfalls in activism preparedness
November 2025 | SPOTLIGHT
The key to activism preparedness is having a well-advised board, thinking about the value drivers of the business and viewing the company through the lens of various constituencies, including potential activist shareholders.
Challenges posed by the digital economy
November 2025 | SPOTLIGHT
By addressing the regulatory, ethical and operational dilemmas posed by AI, businesses can position themselves as leaders in the digital age. For companies grappling with the challenges of AI or seeking to understand how it can transform their organisation, now is the time to act.
