Unhedged Is M&A back?
17 snips
Dec 12, 2024 
James Fontanella-Khan, the US deals reporter for the Financial Times, discusses the anticipated resurgence of mergers and acquisitions after a significant lull. He examines potential shifts in antitrust policies and the intriguing dynamics within the advertising sector, driven by AI. Fontanella-Khan also sheds light on notable trends in retail and insurance M&A activities, emphasizing private equity's role in revitalizing companies. The conversation takes a playful turn when they dive into thrifting and vintage clothing, adding a splash of personality to the serious business talk.
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Advertising Mergers
- Omnicom and Interpublic, two of America's largest advertising firms, are merging.
- This move is partly driven by the increasing competition from AI and tech platforms in the advertising market.
Lina Khan's Antitrust Philosophy
- Lina Khan's antitrust approach considers a company's impact on labor markets and smaller firms, not just prices.
- She views competition as beneficial for innovation, worker empowerment, and preventing monopolies.
Trump's Antitrust Approach
- Trump's antitrust approach, while differing from Khan's, also targets big tech's potential censorship of right-wing views.
- Deals benefiting America, like potential Chevron-Exxon merger, might be approved under Trump.