American asset manager steering alternative investments
Norway's football federation has said it will ask its board to consider filing an ethics complaint to FIFA over the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one‑match World Cup ban after a phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The IOC has also said it will not open a probe because the complaint falls outside its remit.
Brent crude has risen above $100 a barrel after attacks on shipping and renewed US–Iran strikes disrupted tanker routes. Traders are pricing tighter supply as US reserves fall to multi-decade lows and refiners report record crack spreads. Forecasters now see scenarios ranging from modest rises to spikes above $150 a barrel, with higher pump and inflationary pressure expected.
EasyJet has reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profits for the quarter, hit by a surge in jet-fuel costs following the Middle East conflict. The group says bookings remain volatile and its takeover battle in the background continues to unfold as two US private equity firms vie for ownership.
EY has warned the UK economy could slip into recession if Hormuz remains closed, while a reopening could keep growth resilient at 0.9% in 2026 and 1.2% in 2027. The outlook shifts with oil prices easing and talks of a potential AstraZeneca–BMS merger, set against a backdrop of manufacturing activity data and a stretched timetable for a takeover.
MLS has named Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, with Don Garber transitioning to a chairman role by 2027. Berg will divest from LAFC and lead the league into a new calendar and media rights era following the 2026 World Cup boost.
Warsh has moved to reduce forward guidance and may cut meetings, aiming to give the Fed more flexibility as markets react to his new approach while inflation remains above target.
The Federal Reserve has kept the benchmark rate steady in a nine-to-three vote, amid persistent inflation above the 2% goal. Dissenters argue for earlier tightening, while others urge patience; investors await July inflation data to gauge the path for policy.
Apollo has won the bid to take EasyJet private at 715p a share, valuing the carrier at about $7.7 billion. Castlelake has withdrawn, clearing Apollo to move forward. The deal is expected to complete by Q1 2027, with Stelios Haji-Ioannou and family retaining shares. Shareholders face a vote and delisting of EasyJet.
AGoogle‑reported campaign shows hackers using voice phishing to target private equity firms, law firms and ratings agencies, stealing passwords and MFA codes via spoofed help desks. Several victims reportedly paid ransoms; researchers warn that the human element remains the biggest weakness in corporate security.
Nvidia has announced memorandums with six Wall Street firms to assemble about $500 billion to finance AI infrastructure — data centres, GPU clusters and related compute — for customers that lack cash or credit. Executives are pitching compute as an investable asset class while analysts warn depreciation risk and competition from China could erode collateral value.
AI adoption is reshaping hiring and layoff patterns across tech sectors. A mix of software cuts and hardware growth shows a market rebalancing, with AI increasingly driving decisions on workforce changes.
Mari has entered a definitive agreement to buy ATG Entertainment from Providence, valuing around £4.5 billion per reports. ATG operates about 70 theatres globally, with West End venues and regional theatres. The deal keeps ATG operating under its brand and leadership while expanding Mari’s live-entertainment portfolio.
Investors have renewed focus on AI infrastructure after strong earnings from hyperscalers and Nvidia partners; CoreWeave reports extend-into-2029 A100 contracts, suggesting longer GPU lifespans and steadier demand. The sector has moved from a rough patch to renewed optimism as data-center spend shows monetization potential.
The London & Valley Water consortium has proposed a slate of non‑executive directors for Thames Water to secure government backing for a rescue. The appointments include Liz Barber and Clive Selley, aimed at restoring governance and public trust as the government weighs nationalisation options.
A mix of mortgage rates remaining elevated and inventory growth is shaping US and UK housing markets. Cash sales have cooled, financed buyers are gaining ground, and prices show modest changes in several markets. Analysts warn of continued affordability challenges and potential further rate-related pressure.
The United States faces rising government bond yields amid fears of a debt sustainability crisis. A recent intervention by Washington seeks to calm markets as inflation pressures persist, while AI-driven corporate debt adds to demand for risk-free Treasuries. Analysts warn that the debt trajectory could reshape global finance if policy paths remain unchanged.
Nvidia has acquired a minority stake in Cloverleaf Infrastructure and has announced a partnership to help build data‑centre sites. The move follows Nvidia’s recent $1.5 billion investment in an Ohio data‑centre project and signals the company is directly financing and developing the power and site infrastructure that supports demand for its AI chips.
The London stock market is losing more firms to private equity, with Bodycote being taken private by Veritas and Gamma Communications and Capricorn also likely to go private. The wave follows EasyJet’s FTSE 100 promotion and highlights a broader exodus that has seen several UK-listed names depart this year. The trend reflects a shift in market dynamics, potential increased valuations, and investor pressure.
The SEC has filed a lawsuit to enforce an administrative subpoena against Institutional Shareholder Services, with the agency seeking records on proxy recommendations and votes as Trump-era oversight intensifies. ISS contends First Amendment concerns, while regulators say the probe remains in fact-finding.
The House has found Leon Black in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas in its inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein. The full House approved the contempt resolution by unanimous consent after the Oversight Committee voted 41–0 to recommend the action. The matter has been referred to the Justice Department for possible criminal review.
The Oversight Committee has moved to refer the Epstein-related contempt against a private-equity chief to the Justice Department. Black has refused to hand over nondisclosure agreements or appear for deposition. The committee’s action comes amid bipartisan support and follows an earlier voluntary interview; a deposition was delayed but ultimately not attended.
Analyst Torsten Slok warns that if households use AI agents to optimize cash returns, banks could lose cheap deposits, pressuring lenders and the wider financial system. The scenario hinges on scale and user adoption of agentic finance tools.
Ken Griffin has pledged $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, including $2 billion to build a 35‑acre Wynwood campus in Miami and $1 billion for priorities at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus. Construction on the Miami site is slated for 2027, with student enrollments planned to begin in 2028; the computer science school will be renamed for Griffin.
AI-related debt issuance is rising amid higher yields and rate expectations. Investors worry about distressed bonds as hyperscalers and AI firms fund data-center buildouts, potentially triggering wider market stress even as equities hold firm. IMF warns of sovereign-bond risks.