Latest Corporate News
US Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs, Boosting Stock Markets
The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose most tariffs, prompting a positive market reaction. The S&P 500 rose 0.69% to 6,909.51, the Nasdaq gained 0.9% to 22,886.07, and trade-exposed stocks like Amazon surged over 2%
. However, the White House announced a new 10% global tariff under alternative legislation, introducing fresh uncertainty
.
Abbott Laboratories Wins Shareholder Approval for $21 Billion Exact Sciences Acquisition
Abbott secured overwhelming shareholder support with over 99% voting in favor of acquiring Exact Sciences for $105 per share in an all-cash deal. The transaction values Exact Sciences at approximately $21 billion and is expected to close before the end of Q2 2026, pending remaining regulatory approvals
. Exact Sciences reported $3.25 billion in revenue in 2025, representing an 18% year-over-year increase
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US GDP Growth Falls Short at 1.4% While Inflation Remains Elevated
Fourth-quarter US GDP expanded 1.4%, significantly below the expected 2.5%, with the Commerce Department attributing weakness to government shutdown impacts. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, core PCE, held steady at 3% in December, remaining above the central bank's 2% target
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Australian M&A Market Sees Strong Inbound Investment Despite Lower Deal Volume
Foreign investors accounted for 45% of Australian deal value in 2025, up from 30% a year earlier, with Australian deal value reaching US$79.5 billion. More than half (52%) of Australian CEOs are planning major acquisitions in the next three years, with 36% targeting new capabilities and 27% looking beyond their core sector
. Private equity buyouts rose 32% in value to US$30.5 billion across 95 deals
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Australia Implements Significant Merger Control Reforms in 2026
From January 2026, certain transactions require ACCC notification and clearance before completion, marking the most significant merger control reform in decades. Foreign investment reviews have also become more nuanced, with deals involving critical infrastructure, minerals, technology, or sensitive data facing higher scrutiny
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Taiwan's AI-Powered Economy Surges Amid Bubble Concerns
Taiwan's exports jumped nearly 35% year-on-year in 2025, with shipments to the US surging 78% due to surging AI demand, driven by TSMC and Foxconn. TSMC's profit jumped 46% last year to $1.7 trillion Taiwan dollars ($54 billion), and the company is investing $52-$56 billion this year, with its chairman expressing caution about potential AI bubble risks
. Foxconn has doubled in value since 2023 and now produces AI servers and racks with a partnership to supply OpenAI with AI data center equipment
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US Insurance Sector M&A Activity Remains Robust with Multiple Major Transactions
BroadStreet Partners led all buyers with 57 transactions through Q3 2025 and is now the 6th top broker at $2.210 billion in revenues. King Risk Partners acquired 16 firms through Q3 2025 and now ranks No. 51 on Insurance Journal's Top 100
. Arthur J. Gallagher completed major acquisitions including Woodruff Sawyer and Assured Partners, closing January 1, 2026
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Mining and Metals Sector Records $11 Billion in M&A Deals in January 2026
The mining and metals sector saw more than US$11 billion in financing and M&A deals during January 2026. This activity signals continued momentum in the sector as deal-making continues into 2026
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Tidewater Announces All-Cash Acquisition of Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore
Tidewater announced an all-cash acquisition of Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore, representing another significant transaction in the offshore services sector. The deal continues the trend of consolidation in maritime and energy-related industries
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11:11 Systems Completes Acquisition of Digital Sense in Brisbane
11:11 Systems, a leading managed infrastructure solutions provider, completed its acquisition of Brisbane-based Digital Sense. The transaction further consolidates the IT managed services sector with regional Australian expertise
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Global Trade Policy Uncertainty Persists Despite SCOTUS Ruling on Tariffs
While the Supreme Court's decision to strike down IEEPA tariffs was positive for markets, the European Parliament and Indian officials have postponed trade discussions citing unclear US trade policy. Brazil, China, and India are the biggest beneficiaries of the tariff ruling, though Section 301 investigations into Brazil and China remain open, creating potential for future retaliatory measures
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