Latest Corporate News News
Record pipeline of mega-deals after blockbuster 2025 M&A rebound
Dealmakers expect another strong year for **mega-deals**, after 2025 saw a record 68 global transactions valued above $10 billion. Wall Street banks report robust pipelines across healthcare, energy transition, tech and media, signaling continued consolidation despite regulatory and political headwinds.
Glencore–Rio Tinto talks signal potential $200–260 billion mining mega‑merger
Commodity giant **Glencore** is pursuing a proposed $200–260 billion merger with **Rio Tinto**, aiming to create the world’s largest mining group focused on energy‑transition metals. The deal would combine Rio Tinto’s iron ore and aluminum strengths with Glencore’s copper, cobalt and coal, but faces major ESG concerns and antitrust scrutiny before a February 5, 2026 decision deadline.
Merck accelerates oncology M&A with $41.2 billion 2026 deal strategy
**Merck** is executing a $41.2 billion M&A plan to reinforce its oncology portfolio ahead of the Keytruda patent cliff, including acquiring **Cidara** and pursuing **Revolution Medicines** for its RAS(ON) inhibitor daraxonrasib. The pharma group is using large strategic deals to secure pipeline depth and revenue resilience in high‑growth cancer therapies.
CrowdStrike expands in AI cyberdefense with $740 million SGNL acquisition
Cybersecurity leader **CrowdStrike** agreed to acquire identity‑security firm **SGNL** in a roughly $740 million deal to deepen its AI‑driven protection platform. The move is expected to lift CrowdStrike’s identity‑related revenue to about $435 million by Q2 2026 and reflects broader consolidation across the cybersecurity sector.
Proposed multibillion‑dollar breakup and acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
Media conglomerate **Warner Bros. Discovery** is the target of a complex, still‑proposed transaction structure involving a partial acquisition by **Netflix** and full acquisition by **Paramount Skydance**, valued around $108.4 billion as of January 8, 2026. The proposal underscores intense pressure on legacy media firms to scale streaming, cut debt and rationalize sprawling content portfolios.
Hillenbrand shareholders approve acquisition by Lone Star Funds affiliate
Shareholders of industrial firm **Hillenbrand** voted to approve its merger agreement with an affiliate of private‑equity group **Lone Star Funds**, following an October 14, 2025 deal announcement. Around 83.57% of outstanding shares were represented at the January 8 special meeting, which also backed related executive‑compensation and adjournment proposals; final tallies will be disclosed in an SEC Form 8‑K.
UWM Holdings to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp in $1.3 billion all‑stock deal
Mortgage lender **UWM Holdings** announced plans to acquire **Two Harbors Investment Corp** in an all‑stock transaction valued at about $1.3 billion. The deal implies a roughly 21% premium to Two Harbors’ average share price, sent its stock up nearly 12%, and is aimed at boosting servicing capabilities and market share while maintaining a $0.34 quarterly dividend.
Strategic 2026 M&A surge across healthcare, cybersecurity and mining sectors
Analysts highlight **Merck**, **Glencore** and **CrowdStrike** as emblematic of 2026’s cross‑sector consolidation wave, driven by technological disruption and the energy transition. Investors are weighing the growth potential of these large strategic deals against execution, integration and regulatory risks that could reshape competitive dynamics in each sector.
Heritage Financial moves to acquire Olympic Bancorp in US regional banking consolidation
Regional lender **Heritage Financial Corporation** has agreed to acquire **Olympic Bancorp, Inc.**, continuing consolidation among US community and regional banks. The transaction, listed among late‑2025 announced deals, is part of a broader trend of smaller banks seeking scale to handle regulatory costs and technology investments.
Corporate climate‑risk exposure highlighted as US exits international climate bodies
Coverage of the US administration’s withdrawal from multiple international climate organizations underscores growing **climate‑related legal and insurance risks** for companies, especially in property and infrastructure. The Financial Times reports surging climate‑insurance litigation as damage costs rise, pressuring corporate risk management and disclosure practices worldwide.