Rachel Witkowski’s Post

We own shares in the company pretty much from the lows, so if this deal does go through our investors will get a pretty nice return on their investment. However, this deal criminally undervalues the company and should not be supported by the board. We reckon fair value to be no less than £16 per share ($22 per ADR); this is a company with a leading market position in the UK growing AUM at double digits, enjoying double digit FCF margins, cranking out +40% Returns on Equity and +50% Returns on Capital Employed for shareholders. It is an aberration shares got as low as they did but it is an aberration of equal stature for the board to accept such a low bid for such high quality business. Neither shareholders nor employees will be getting a fair deal if this transaction goes through at the proposed price. *CVC, ADIA MAKE FRESH £5.4 BILLION HARGREAVES LANSDOWN BID #Hargreaveslansdown #UK #LSE Hargreaves Lansdown #Investing #equities #markets #stocks #stockmarket #hnwi #uhnwi #investments #pensionfunds #familyoffice #familywealth #retirementsavings #endowments #institutionalinvestors #retirement #investment #invest #investors #investmentmanager #alpha #investmentmanagement #financialadvisor #fiduciary #money

Yesterday, I attended the ACG Los Angeles State of Investment Banking event at the beautiful Shutters on the Beach, where a panel industry leaders shared key insights on M&A and expectations for 2025. Here are my top takeaways: - Genuine Optimism for 2025 – The first half of 2024 was slow due to continued market uncertainty, but deal activity picked up in the second half. Strategic discussions are increasing, and while some challenges remain, there’s growing confidence for 2025. -Financing Market Trends – Institutional investors and direct lenders are underwriting aggressively, but higher debt costs mean sponsors must be more strategic than the heyday we saw in 2021 -Regulatory Environment – A pro-business administration under Trump should boost M&A, but geopolitical uncertainty and potential tariffs are potential risks. -Evolving Deal Structures – Sellers are adjusting valuation expectations, and buyers are prioritizing strategic fit over financial engineering. Minority investments and public-to-private transactions are gaining traction. Thank you to Rose Sorensen and panelists Bob Berkus, Christian Schiller, and Maz Yafeh for the insights. It was great connecting with industry peers and discussing what’s ahead for M&A activity in 2025. Looking forward to a rebound year! #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquity #ACGLA #MAMarket #CorporateGrowth

"We believe now is an excellent time to invest in UK smaller companies." Ken Wotton manager of Strategic Equity Capital plc (SEC) gives his views on UK smaller companies to Wealth DFM. Here are three key takeaways: 🌟 Valuations Valuations are compelling as evidenced by the steady stream of takeover offers for UK-listed companies. 📈 Economic conditions Improving economic conditions with inflation lower, confidence recovering and the prospect of rates falling later in the year. 🏷️ Discounts A large number of high-quality UK smaller companies are trading at discounted ratings. Ken and the team apply their highly disciplined private equity approach to investing in public markets, to identify compelling investment opportunities in smaller #ukequities. Read more about the insights here: https://lnkd.in/eVeRQbV2   #publicequities #investmenttrusts | Capital at risk. Not an investment recommendation. Opinions expressed are those of the individual fund managers. Brendan Gulston Cassie Herlihy David Bickerstaffe

We keep finding smiling Private Markets people! CFA Society Atlanta would like to thank our sponsor, T. Rowe Price Oak Hill Advisors, L.P., and Vista Equity Partners for a fascinating discussion today about the Anatomy of a Private Markets Deal. Special thanks to Nathaniel Furman, Aaron G., and Sean Cahill for making this event a success! #privateequity #privatecredit #finance #alternatives #directlending #investors #assetmanagement

Some good news for dealmakers through the various earnings seasons around the world. Australian upstart Barrenjoey’s pretty swift move to profitability follows Jarden’s news earlier this year of black ink on the other side of the Tasman (despite much sniping about the Kiwi’s Aussie foray) as the young Turks shook things up during the covid pandemic. Enjoying the initial boom when free money seemed to fuel everything, there were a couple of cooler years for both investment banks, but there are signs of life in dealmaker-land (obviously helped in part as central bankers start loosening their grips on the monetary tillers). Not only did PwC New Zealand’s recent M&A report show a pick-up in deal flow through the June quarter, but we’ve also got a few live takeovers on the go, such as with Arvida Group Limited, Vital NZ, and asset sales from Fletcher Building and Fonterra. Investment banking in general seemed to be on the mend from the major banks reporting around the world in recent weeks. UBS and Barclays both booked higher advisory fees and their trading desks benefited from the market volatility. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s majors – Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Wells Fargo – all posted double-digit revenue growth at their investment banking divisions with M&A activity on the up and trading desks keeping busy. It might just be the start of the recovery, but here’s hoping the easier monetary policy helps free things up some.  https://lnkd.in/grXq5KkV

We are excited to launch the first insight in our 'Business assets and liquidity events' series, where Private Wealth expert Dom Rothbarth delves into structuring considerations for founders and early investors in private companies. Read online: https://bit.ly/4esxvF9 Stay tuned for future insights covering topics like planning for leaving the UK, BPR Trusts, types of consideration on a sale, and more. #PrivateWealth #TaxPlanning #BusinessStructuring

In this video segment, Eric Waxman, Partner, Ares Management Corporation, discusses anticipated 2025 increase in PE exits and capital deployment. Watch the entire panel discussion, Outlook for M&A and Private Equity 2025, on Expert Webcast: https://lnkd.in/gvvEMcJW Eric's co-speakers include: Rita-Anne O'Neill, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Justin Johnson, Jacobs Rustin Paul, Ryan Transactional Risk Neal J Reenan, Freshfields Moderated by Alex Kasdan, the panel discusses the anticipated increase in M&A and private equity deal activity in 2025, boosted by lower interest rates and higher stock valuations, focusing on most active industries and geographies, as well as macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges and regulatory environment under the Trump administration. #privatequity #mergersandacquisitions #duediligence #transaction #transactionservices #rwi #repsandwarranties #regulatory #trumpadministration #deals #dealactivity #corporatefinance #finance #economy #privatecapital

Another vote for cautious optimism: Panelists from a recent Nixon Peabody LLP event reflected on takeaways from their observation of middle market M&A activity in 2023 and looked forward to expectations for the industry in 2024. Despite challenges like interest rate spikes and geopolitical uncertainties, they expressed cautious optimism for increased transaction volume in 2024, with a focus on family-owned businesses and sectors like beauty, media, and AI-driven services.   #InvestmentTrends #Insights #AlternativeInvestments #PrivateEquity #PlacementAgent #TritonLake   https://lnkd.in/e5KXCDgw  

FP’s RIA Leaders cover story examines the tensions caused by rapidly expanding firms serving their clients and private equity investors at the same time. #wealthmanagement #privateequity Jason Ray https://bit.ly/3ADxwaV

Financial advisers play a critical role in helping Australians navigate the increasing choices and trade-offs that come with building a prosperous financial future. Neil Rogan from Russell Investments talks to Sean Aylmer about how financial advisers go about providing 5.7% of additional value for their clients, as detailed in the 2024 Value of an Adviser report. Download the report ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gtszc3Dh Fear & Greed #financialadvice #financialplanning #investments