SPACs and de-SPAC deals hit comeback trail

Troy Hooper, Mergermarket’s North America Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the trend of dual-track de-SPAC deals, including:What exactly is a SPAC is and how does the de-SPAC process work?Why is Kyivstar's de-SPAC deal significant?What is driving the revitalized popularity of SPACs? Why are these deals popular with life sciences and digital asset companies?All this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

The cybersecurity industry is based around three pillars: identity management (like CyberArk and ForgeRock), network management (like Palo Alto) and end-point security (also provided by Palo Alto).Will the DoJ be concerned about Palo Alto bundling the three pillars together?How has regulatory thinking on bundling theory evolved from US President Joe Biden’s administration to President Donald Trump’s?Will officials under Trump continue to take a hard line on tech consolidation in general? And how about cybersecurity in particular?All this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

The banking sector has seen rapid change over the last decade, and the new landscape offers opportunities for traditional banks, challenger banks, and fintech startups alike.In the deal space, Mergermarket’s data shows around 120 financial institutions that may IPO in Europe including big names like Klarna and Revolute. Banks are also developing M&A plans for fintech service companies, and some fintechs are looking to merge and create larger platforms.Thomas Krecek, an M&A Partner in Clifford Chance’s Frankfurt office focusing on financial services and co-head of Clifford Chance’s European Corporate M&A Practice, and Rupert Cocke, one of Mergermarket’s Europe-based senior editors, join Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for the banking sector, including:How antitrust bodies and a lack of global banking regulations in cross-border dealmaking impact the outlook for potential dealsThe role of private equity in the fintech corporate ecosystem, and how their capital is likely to help fintechs in the next stage of globalizingWhich firms, like Advent and its purchase of Bulgarian-based tbi bank, showcase the new trends in the industryHow entities like Unicredit offer a showcase of a new playbook to approach banking deals in EuropeAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

Patrick Harris, Mergermarket’s senior editor based in London, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for mining deals, including:Which deals are showcasing the overall trend, like IRH’s acquisitions of mines in Zambia or the Qatari’s sovereign wealth fund's investment in TechMet, an Irish company that recycles lithium batteriesWhich minerals, like lithium and copper, are critical for electrification and seeing significant investor interestPotential opportunities for mining in the Middle East itself, like Saudi Arabia’s alleged USD 2.5 trn worth of minerals available to be minedAll this and more in this weeks Dealcast.

Thiago Barrozo Mergermarket’s Latin America editor, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss potential outcomes with US tariffs looming, including:Which political factors play into the imposition of such heavy tariffs on the countryWhich sectors are likely to be most impacted by tariffs like logistics and specific agribusiness subsectors, including beef and coffee productionWhich Brazilian companies, like Embraer, are already seeing impacts caused by the announcement of potential tariffsWhich other export markets Brazilian companies could be exploring from the EU to ChinaAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

Rupert Cocke, Mergermarket’s senior editor based in Barcelona, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for European? defense sector dealmaking including:Which defense-related companies have already undergone significant raises, like Multiverse Computing’s EUR 190m funding round in JuneHow some private equity firms' early involvement in deep tech could help curb risks from uncertain wait times related to research and developmentWhy certain firms are already bullish on investing in reconstruction and restoration in UkraineWhy ESG standards may be restrictive for LPs looking into defense investments and may favor more dual-use or cybersecurity focused companiesAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

arlos Martinez, Mergermarket’s head of energy coverage in the Americas, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for the Mexican energy sector including:How these changes were taking shape prior to President Claudia Sheinbaum’s current governmentWhat this means for Mexico’s renewable energy sector, especially as traditional energy like oil production continues to steadily decline in the countryWhich other large energy companies are exiting the country and divesting their Mexican operationsWhy this will likely drive JVs and partnerships especially with existing domestic contractorsAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

Yale Yee, founding partner of Telos Advisors, joined Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham at The Podcast Show 2025 in London to discuss why we can expect to see more players from outside audio buying podcast players.Why did PodX buy Lemonda Media; and why did Acast buy Wonder Media Network (WMN)? What will buysiders look for in podcast deals? And what will drive the sellside?How will artificial intelligence (AI) disrupt the podcast industryAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

Thiago Barrozo, Mergermarket’s Latin America editor, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for Brazilian deals hinging off Totvs/Linx including: Which other companies made bids for Linx?Why did Stone cut its price expectations?What happened the first time Totvs tried to buy the target in 2020?All this and more in this week’s Dealcast.

Rachel Stone, Mergermarket’s Charlottesville bureau chief, joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss why the payments segment is still attractive for buyers, despite global trade tensions. What is the mood like on the buyside?What are the implications of trade uncertainties for due diligence processes?Why is Stanley Black & Decker a name to watch in the months ahead?All this and more in this week’s Dealcast.