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COVER STORY

AI reshaping corporate finance

Many companies in the corporate finance space have developed comprehensive AI roadmaps, incorporating multiple initiatives focused on value, feasibility and risk appetite.

FEATURES

Roadmap to value: crafting an effective M&A communication plan

Effective M&A communication requires structure, consistency and honesty, embodied in a plan that can be shared internally and externally with stakeholders, employees, customers, the media and regulators.

Automation revolution: robotics VC funding in Europe

Europe has experienced a resurgence in robotics VC funding in recent years. Robotics-focused VC firms are emerging in key investment hubs such as London and Berlin, often concentrating on industrial automation and deep tech.

Safeguarding overhaul: navigating the new UK and EU rules for payment firms

The FCA’s updated safeguarding regime introduces reforms designed to enhance the protection of relevant funds, particularly in insolvency scenarios. These reforms focus on improving operational standards, oversight and accountability.

Hidden in plain sight: modern slavery in global supply chains

The ability of companies to identify and mitigate the risk of slavery within their supply chains is critical. This requires a robust anti-slavery strategy, a multi-step approach and alignment with stakeholders at every level.

Intensified enforcement: TFTF targets trade violations

Given the stringent nature of the US tariff regime, with companies struggling to navigate rapidly changing duty rates, shifting product scopes and overlapping trade restrictions, intentional tariff evasion is now much more likely.

WORLDWATCH

Commercial arbitration

In an era of heightened geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, many regions are seeing a steady rise in commercial disputes referred to arbitration. Cases in sectors such as construction and energy remain significant, alongside a growing number linked to the energy transition, environmental, social and governance commitments, and technology. FW moderates a discussion between Frances Bivens at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Matthias Hadding at Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG, Jonathan Ripley-Evans at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer South Africa Attorneys Inc., Mark Lee at Hogan Lovells, Markus Burgstaller at Hogan Lovells International LLP, Lucy L’Hirondelle at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, and Shaparak Saleh at Three Crowns LLP.

SPECIAL REPORT

Energy & utilities

Q&A: Consolidation in the US oil and gas industry

The latest consolidation wave is a result of several converging forces, including relatively flat commodity prices, the industry’s push for scale and cost efficiencies, maturing of shale plays and a generally favourable regulatory and economic environment. FW discusses consolidation in the US oil and gas industry with Rahul D. Vashi at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Mingda Zhao at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

Energy system resilience in a time of growing geopolitical and climate risks

Center on Global Energy Policy Successful leaders across companies and countries will be the ones who look to advance strategic reset of risk assessment for energy and climate realities, stretching across investments, portfolios and planning.

Global energy transition: how renewables and nuclear power are driving clean growth

Gowling WLG The concept of a dual track approach is gaining traction: one track focuses on rapidly scaling up renewable power generation, while the other expands nuclear capacity to deliver reliable baseload and grid stability.

Permitting and siting regimes for carbon dioxide pipelines

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP The absence of a federal role in regulating the siting and construction of CO2 pipelines necessarily results in a patchwork of state regimes to fill the void, which can result in increased siting complexity.

Brazil advances natural gas sector with new market programme and cooperation deals

Tauil & Chequer Advogados By promoting stronger alignment between federal and state authorities, these initiatives represent important steps toward reducing asymmetries, creating clearer conditions for new market entrants and enabling strategic infrastructure investments.

Q&A: Renewable energy outlook 2026

Countries that deepen domestic supply chains, secure critical minerals and manage social transitions effectively will capture outsize investment and deployment growth through the late 2020s. FW discusses the outlook for renewable energy in 2026 with Seyda Duman at Milbank, Adam McWilliams at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan UK LLP and Oly Moir at Slaughter and May.

TALKINGpoint

Outlook for restructuring and insolvency in the Middle East

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.

MARKETpulse

Foreign investments and the interplay of merger control, FDI and FSR

Clifford Chance As the European Union tightens its grip on regulatory control, entities are facing unprecedented scrutiny, with foreign direct investment screening and Foreign Subsidies Regulation review now added to the well-known merger control requirements.

Energy industry megatrends: navigating the next decade

Dentons 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.

DEALfront

mergers & acquisitions

Huntington Bancshares to acquire Cadence Bank for $7.4bn

Huntington Bancshares has announced plans to acquire Cadence Bank in an all-stock transaction valued at $7.4bn, creating one of the top 10 regional banking institutions in the US.

Coca-Cola HBC to acquire majority stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for $2.6bn

Coca-Cola HBC has agreed to purchase a 75 percent stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) for $2.6bn, creating the world’s second-largest Coca-Cola bottling partner by beverage volume. The deal values CCBA at $3.4bn and marks a significant expansion of Coca-Cola HBC’s footprint across Africa.

private equity & venture capital

Hillenbrand to be taken private in $3.8bn transaction

Hillenbrand Inc., a global industrial equipment manufacturer, has agreed to be acquired by Lone Star Funds in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.8bn, including debt. The deal will take Hillenbrand private and marks a significant strategic shift for the Batesville, Indiana-based company.

Francisco Partners in $2.2bn take-private deal for Jamf

Private equity firm Francisco Partners has agreed to acquire Jamf, the Apple device management and security software specialist, in an all-cash transaction valued at about $2.2bn.

bankruptcy & corporate restructuring

Klöckner Pentaplast files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Klöckner Pentaplast (KP), a German manufacturer of rigid and flexible packaging and specialty films, has entered a restructuring support agreement with a significant majority of its financial partners to implement a comprehensive financial restructuring plan.

Retailer At Home exits bankruptcy protection

Home décor and furnishings retailer At Home Group has successfully completed its court-supervised restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, marking a significant milestone in its turnaround strategy.

SPOTlight

Private equity and the new era of antitrust enforcement: strategic opportunities

Proskauer PE firms can differentiate themselves by articulating how investments enhance competition, create jobs or improve innovation. Engagement should align with the economic and political narrative of competitive markets and positioning industry for economic superiority on the world stage.

Tariffs and sanctions: an uneasy balancing act at the Supreme Court

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP A narrower ruling striking down the president’s IEEPA-based tariffs could, depending upon how phrased, open the door for parties to mount potentially more successful legal challenges or for those parties already in sanctions-related enforcement proceedings to negotiate more favourable resolutions.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Center on Global Energy Policy

Clifford Chance

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Dentons

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Gowling WLG

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer South Africa Attorneys Inc.

Hogan Lovells

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Kroll

Milbank

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Proskauer

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan UK LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

Slaughter and May

Tauil & Chequer Advogados

Three Crowns LLP