All articles tagged with #due diligence
Chicago Bears executives are expected to update on their stadium plan as Indiana officials reiterate confidence in Hammond, where soil testing and due-diligence are ongoing. Governor Braun says the state remains in weekly contact with the team and optimistic about Hammond, while Illinois discussions continue without a planned special session; a Thursday announcement from the Bears is anticipated.
Hanwha Defense USA has made a preliminary, non-binding offer to acquire Austal USA for about $1.05–$1.2 billion in a cash-and-debt-free deal, contingent on thorough due diligence; Austal’s board says the proposal merits further evaluation and would not affect Austal’s Australasian operations or publicly traded shares. The move follows Hanwha’s earlier takeover bid and its June 2024 Philly Shipyard purchase, signaling a broader push into U.S. shipbuilding.
HRW’s 54-page report 'Looking the Other Way: EU Failure to Prevent Surveillance Exports to Rights Violators' finds the EU and member states are failing to stop exporting intrusive surveillance tech to governments with documented rights abuses, despite the 2021 Dual-Use Regulation. It criticizes the EU’s implementation and the 2024 guidelines for reducing transparency, and urges tighter due diligence, stronger reporting, and meaningful civil-society participation. The report notes exports such as Bulgaria to Azerbaijan (2022) and Poland to Rwanda (2023) and calls for EU-wide action ahead of the 2026 evaluation.
HSBC faces a roughly $400 million loss from a back-leverage loan to Market Financial Solutions, with Atlas SP Partners (an Apollo unit) handling sponsor due diligence; the episode underscores the risks of sponsor-led private credit where lenders rely on intermediaries and non-recourse structures, highlighting the need to verify sponsors’ checks even as the industry prioritizes speed and diversification.
Government documents show officials warned of a reputational risk in Lord Mandelson’s Epstein ties before his US ambassadorship, citing Epstein staying at his home in 2009 and a 2019 JP Morgan report. The records also describe a rushed appointment process and concerns among senior civil servants; Mandelson pursued a severance package that led to a £75,000 settlement after his sacking. MPs demand full papers as police continue an investigation and opposition questions escalate over the PM's knowledge and honesty.
The European Parliament approved a provisional agreement to significantly reduce sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements for companies, including raising thresholds for coverage and removing certain obligations, as part of the Omnibus I package aimed at easing compliance burdens while maintaining sustainability goals.
The EU Parliament narrowly rejected a compromise on the Omnibus I package, which aimed to modify sustainability reporting and due diligence laws, leading to a delay in negotiations and uncertainty for businesses. The vote reflects deep divisions among lawmakers over the scope of regulations, with some advocating for sharper cuts and others for minimal changes.
A founder, Charlie Javice, was sentenced to seven years for fraud related to a sale to JPMorgan, highlighting issues in due diligence and the potential for large-scale financial scams, with discussions on the fairness of sentencing, the influence of elites, and the flaws in corporate oversight.
A Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that 24% of Morgan Stanley's international wealth-management accounts are flagged as high risk for money laundering, highlighting the bank's weak anti-money-laundering controls. This raises concerns about the ultrarich exploiting loopholes in the financial system. The issue is part of a broader global problem, with money laundering activities increasing significantly, particularly in Europe. Morgan Stanley has not commented on the allegations.
EU member states have voted in favor of a stripped-down version of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, requiring companies to check supply chains for environmental and labor practices. The legislation, which still needs to be voted on by MEPs, aims to hold companies accountable for their impact on people and the environment. While some see it as a victory, others argue that the diluted plans could indirectly impact smaller businesses and lead some to withdraw from the developing world.
The EU failed to pass a supply chain law that would require audits on Chinese firms due to a lack of support from member states, including Germany and Italy, and concerns about administrative burden and global competitiveness. The law aimed to hold businesses, including those in China, accountable for their supply chains, but faced opposition from pro-business parties and companies. Negotiators will now revisit the issue, while also grappling with a forced labor ban that could impact businesses operating in China.
The European Council failed to approve a new corporate sustainability due diligence law, facing objections from countries including Germany and Italy, despite a provisional agreement with the EU Parliament. The law aimed to set mandatory obligations for companies to address their negative impacts on human rights and the environment, but faced setbacks and last-minute efforts to scale back its scope. Sustainability-focused groups expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for responsible corporate behavior and urging the EU to find a way to ensure the legislation's approval.
A federal judge has advanced a lawsuit filed by investors against Elon Musk over his actions leading up to and after the acquisition of Twitter, now known as X. The investors claim they suffered losses when they sold their shares due to Musk's posts claiming the platform had a major issue with fake accounts and that he could back out of the deal because of it. The judge found that several of Musk's statements were false or misleading, noting that he waived due diligence as part of the deal. The lawsuit accuses Musk of driving down the company's stock to renegotiate the buyout price. Musk also faces another suit from investors who sold their shares when he was late in notifying regulators of his stake in the company.
SentinelOne denies engaging in due diligence or disclosing confidential financial information to Cisco regarding a potential acquisition, contradicting previous reports. The company also refutes claims that such diligence revealed problems with revenue reporting. SentinelOne's CEO, Tomer Weingarten, criticized the dissemination of false information by competitors, stating that it only leads to confusion and disinformation.
U.S. Steel has entered into confidentiality agreements with multiple third parties and is reviewing unsolicited proposals, ranging from partial acquisition to a complete buyout. The company's board and outside advisers will evaluate all options and make the review public to hear from interested parties. Cleveland-Cliffs, which made a $7.3 billion offer, has demanded information about all proposals received. U.S. Steel's shares rose 3.2% on Tuesday.