When discussing the UFC on ESPN, Analyst Max Kellerman said that “UFC has created the marketplace for MMA in this country [USA].” Within the United States, UFC has grown to be the monopolist in mixed martial arts entertainment; however, the company is in need of guidance in order to expand successfully. The organization produces over 40 live events annually, and provides the most Pay-Per-View content in the world.
PETER THIEL: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF VC
Often in business, being contrarian is the way to get ahead. Few do it better than Peter Thiel, which is why he is one of the most successful individuals Silicon Valley has ever produced. However, Thiel surprised many people this this October when he made perhaps the most contrarian move possible; he donated to Donald Trump’s presidential run. Now, just a month later, Thiel is part of Trump’s presidential transition team and he will be largely responsible for helping to shape the new administration’s policy towards Silicon Valley and the tech sector.
OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE: PROSPERITY WITHIN PE
Private equity institutions have a surprising permanence. Whereas the funds they raise are often temporary, the individuals at the helm of private equity firms have largely stayed the same. David Rubenstein, William Conway, and Daniel D’Aniello, the triumvirate that stands atop The Carlyle Group, are all above the age of 65. Steve Schwarzman of Blackstone and Henry Kravis of KKR are in the same boat--both have steered their companies for the past 3 decades. This kind of enduring leadership is both unprecedented and unique to the private equity industry.
KOCH EQUITY’S FORAY INTO THE DIGITAL ERA
The burgeoning market for enterprise-level software has led to interest from major private equity firms seeking to capitalize on this growth. Of the many investment vehicles that could be used to tap into this accelerated value, one company, Infor, has been a target for firms such as the Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) and Golden Gate Capital. However, on November 20th, 2016, Koch Equity Development made an unexpected move when they announced the buyout of an undisclosed stake in Infor for an estimated $2.5 billion dollars.
FOREIGN PLAYERS BANK ON MEXICO’S OFFSHORE OIL
On March 18, 1938, Mexican President Lázaro Cardenas expropriated the assets of nearly all of the foreign oil companies operating in Mexico. Later, he created Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, a state-owned oil firm that held a monopoly over the Mexican oil industry and prevented all foreign oil companies from operating in Mexico. Now, nearly 80 years later, current President Enrique Peña Nieto is on the brink of one of Mexico’s most radical economic changes in the last five decades.
LEXMARK ACQUISITION SET IN INK
On April 19th 2016, Lexmark (LXK) announced that it will be acquired by a group of investors, including Apex Technology and PAG Asia Capital. Lexmark, based in Kentucky, is a leader in the printing service space, by developing, manufacturing, and supplying items such as printers and related supplies & services for both homes and offices across 150 countries. Lexmark International was founded in 1991, when IBM separated its printer side in a buyout involving Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.