Dealmaking

Saudi Aramco CEO says IPO will "certainly" happen: Reuters

Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said the initial public offering of the state-oil producer will “certainly” happen when the conditions are right.

SAP snatches sentiment tracker Qualtrics from verge of IPO for $8 billion: Reuters

German business software company SAP (SAPG.DE) has agreed to buy Qualtrics International for $8 billion in cash, pre-empting a planned stock market listing by the U.S.-based company which specializes in tracking online sentiment.

PE HUB Wire Highlights, 11.12.18

Vista Equity to buy Apptio in $1.94 bln deal; CalSTRS pushes for more diversity in its investment portfolio; Simon Group wants to work with entrepreneurs

Veritas Capital, Elliott clinch $5.5 billion acquisition of Athenahealth: Reuters

Private equity firm Veritas Capital and hedge fund Elliott Management have agreed to acquire U.S. healthcare software maker Athenahealth Inc (ATHN.O) for $5.5 billion in cash, Reuters reported.

PE HUB First Read

First Read begins the week with news that the FDA is planning on banning menthol cigarettes, ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is considering a run for the White House, and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry was hospitalized after a guest concert performance with Billy Joel.

Quadrant eyes sale of QMES, medical equipment provider

PE HUB Second Opinion

Second Opinion closes out the week with news that Fortune Magazine is sold to a Thai businessman, the U.S. accuses China of violating a cyber espionage agreement and P&G restructures its operations, creating six business units.

U.S. pot firm Harvest eyes listing at $1.5 billion valuation, say sources: Reuters

U.S. cannabis retailer Harvest Enterprises Inc is set to raise $230 million (C$303 million) in a deal that would value the company at about $1.5 billion when it goes public in Toronto as early as next week, sources told Reuters.

Softbank's Saudi-backed Vision Fund to raise $4 billion in debt: Reuters

SoftBank’s (9984.T) Vision Fund is raising $4 billion in debt to help finance acquisitions and has hired Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and Mizuho (8411.T) to work on the deal, a presentation seen by Reuters said.

Stada, Angelini among final bidders for $1 bln Bristol-Myers' Upsa unit, say sources: Reuters

German drugmaker Stada and Italian healthcare company Angelini are the only industry players to be shortlisted to make final bids for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s French over-the-counter drugs business, sources told Reuters.