Ben Dummett
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Articles by Ben Dummett
Ben & Jerry's founders have been exploring deal to separate company from Magnum
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the eponymous founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, have been exploring a deal with an executive of private-equity firm KKR to separate their brand from its current owner. But Magnum Ice Cream, the publicly traded company that houses Ben & Jerry's and other ice-cream brands previously owned by Unilever, is resisting the idea, arguing that separating the brand would increase costs and make products more expensive.
Ben & Jerry’s Founders Have Been Exploring Deal With KKR Executive
Deal would separate brand from Magnum, ice cream company spun out of Unilever; Magnum says Ben & Jerry’s ‘is not for sale’ Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the eponymous founders of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, have been exploring a deal with an executive of private-equity firm KKR KKR 0.20%increase; green up pointing triangle to separate their brand from its current owner.
SoftBank in early talks to buy Allied Universal
SoftBank Group is in early-stage talks to acquire Allied Universal from its private-equity backers, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would be the Japanese technology conglomerate's latest bet on widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and robotics in the workplace. A deal is far from certain, but if completed, it could value Allied at as much as $18 billion, excluding the security company's debt, one of the people said.
SoftBank in Early Talks to Buy Allied Universal
The deal, if completed, could value the business at around $18 billion SoftBank 9984 1.90%increase; up pointing triangle Group is in early-stage talks to acquire Allied Universal from its private-equity backers, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would be the Japanese technology conglomerate’s latest bet on widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and robotics in the workplace.
KKR strikes deal to buy private-capital fund administrator Gen II
KKR said late Monday that it struck a deal to buy Gen II, a fund administrator that targets buyout and other types of private-capital funds, in a transaction that values the business at roughly $5 billion including debt. Gen II, which is based in New York, provides tax, compliance, and other back-office services that funds require to operate. The fintech serves more than 12,000 entities across private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real estate, according to its website.
KKR Strikes Deal to Buy Private-Capital Fund Administrator Gen II
Private-capital funds have proliferated in recent years as investors seek to reduce reliance on public markets KKR KKR 0.79%increase; up pointing triangle said late Monday that it struck a deal to buy Gen II, a fund administrator that targets buyout and other types of private-capital funds, in a transaction that values the business at roughly $5 billion including debt.
Robotics startup RobCo hits $1 billion valuation
German robotics startup RobCo has sold shares in a deal that values the company at more than $1 billion—double the level hit earlier this year—highlighting investor enthusiasm for physical AI systems. The company makes autonomous industrial robots aimed at automating repetitive manual tasks like stacking pallets and weighing raw materials. Its new flagship product is a two-armed, self-learning robot called Alfie that is designed to mimic a human working on a factory floor.
Robotics Startup RobCo Hits $1 Billion Valuation — WSJ
German robotics startup RobCo has sold shares in a deal that values the company at more than $1 billion-double the level hit earlier this year-highlighting investor enthusiasm for physical AI systems. The company makes autonomous industrial robots aimed at automating repetitive manual tasks like stacking pallets and weighing raw materials. Its new flagship product is a two-armed, self-learning robot called Alfie that is designed to mimic a human working on a factory floor.
Robotics Startup RobCo Hits $1 Billion Valuation
German company aims to capitalize on growing demand for autonomous industrial robots German robotics startup RobCo has sold shares in a deal that values the company at more than $1 billion—double the level hit earlier this year—highlighting investor enthusiasm for physical AI systems. The company makes autonomous industrial robots aimed at automating repetitive manual tasks like stacking pallets and weighing raw materials.
Barbie-Maker Mattel Draws Takeover Interest from Authentic Brands Group — WSJ
Barbie-Maker Mattel Draws Takeover Interest from Authentic Brands Group — WSJ MAT By Lauren Thomas, Ben Dummett and Suzanne Kapner Barbie-maker Mattel, dealing with a sliding stock and now a chief-executive transition, recently attracted takeover interest from brand-licensing giant Authentic Brands Group, according to people familiar with the matter.
Barbie-Maker Mattel Draws Takeover Interest From Authentic Brands Group
Shares in the toy maker rose 19% Thursday, after having shed more than a third this year Barbie-maker Mattel MAT 18.80%increase; up pointing triangle , dealing with a sliding stock and now a chief-executive transition, recently attracted takeover interest from brand-licensing giant Authentic Brands Group, according to people familiar with the matter.
Walgreens Owner Nears Deal to Sell British Pharmacy Chain Boots — WSJ
Walgreens Owner Nears Deal to Sell British Pharmacy Chain Boots — WSJ By Cara Lombardo and Ben Dummett Walgreens' private-equity owner is nearing a deal to sell U.K. pharmacy chain Boots for close to $9 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. It has been discussing a deal to sell Boots to the Canadian arm of the Weston family, which owns a food-business empire, the people said. A deal could be completed in the coming weeks, assuming talks don't fall apart.
Walgreens Owner Nears Deal to Sell British Pharmacy Chain Boots
Business (UK) 4 hours ago Walgreens owner Sycamore nears deal to sell British pharmacy chain Boots - WSJ Seeking Alpha - Joshua Fineman • 4h Walgreens private-equity owner Sycamore is near a deal to sell the U.K. pharmacy chain Boots for close to $9 billion, including debt. The PE firm has … Hoboken 10 hours ago Shots Reported In Walgreens Parking Lot In Hoboken: Police Patch - Caren Lissner • 10h Police in Hoboken are investigating a report of shots fired Wednesday morning next to a drug store.
Mark Walter, Todd Boehly to sell stake in Chelsea for $1.3 billion
Mark Walter and Todd Boehly have agreed to sell their combined 25% stake in English soccer team Chelsea in a deal that will hand the two billionaires around $650 million each. Chelsea said late Wednesday that Walter and Boehly were selling their holdings to Clearlake Capital, the California-based private-equity firm that is already the team's majority owner. Existing shareholder Hansjorg Wyss will retain his minority holding as part of the deal.
Novartis Dealmaking Serves as Cautionary Tale for Pharma M&A — WSJ
Novartis Dealmaking Serves as Cautionary Tale for Pharma M&A — WSJ NOT Novartis' latest trial setback serves a cautionary tale for investors betting on big pharma's strategy of making bite-size acquisitions to bolster their drug pipelines. In theory, smaller deals offer big pharma access to promising and potentially lucrative drugs without the risk inherent in big bets.
Elliott Takes Stake in Deutsche Telekom, Opposes T-Mobile Deal — WSJ
Elliott Takes Stake in Deutsche Telekom, Opposes T-Mobile Deal — WSJ DTE Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has built a stake in Deutsche Telekom and is pushing the German company to abandon any effort to merge with T-Mobile US, according to people familiar with the matter. Deutsche Telekom owns 54% of T-Mobile and has held discussions this year about combining the two companies to create a more streamlined telecom behemoth. The current status of any talks couldn't be learned.
OnlyFans创始人在去世前一年内获7亿美元股息
去年，深受成人内容创作者欢迎的网络平台OnlyFans员工总数不到50人，却持续为其创始人带来巨额现金。这位创始人已于今年3月因癌症去世。 最新财务文件显示，在截至2025年11月30日的财年中，OnlyFans的英国母公司Fenix International向利奥·拉德文斯基(Leo Radvinsky)派发了5.35亿美元的股息。今年1月至3月底期间，该公司又向拉德文斯基支付了1.74亿美元，使其获得的股息总额超过7亿美元。 Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
OnlyFans Paid $700 Million Dividend to Founder Year Before He Died
Your browser does not support HTML5 video. Despite looking much like other social media, OnlyFans’ underlying business model is different. This is how OnlyFans changed the dynamics of how digital creators get paid to generate $6.6 billion in revenue in 2023. Photo: Leora Bermeister for WSJ OnlyFans, the online platform popular with adult-content creators, had fewer than 50 employees last year but continued to generate massive amounts of cash for its founder, who died from cancer in March.
OnlyFans Paid $700 Million Dividend to Founder Year Before He Died
2 hours ago The late owner of streaming platform OnlyFans was paid more than $700m (£513m) in dividends before his death from cancer earlier this year. Fenix International Ltd, the British company that owns OnlyFans, made $714m in profit before tax last year, it said in its annual report. This is an increase of …
贝佐斯参与的财团收购利物浦足球俱乐部的少数股权
贝佐斯(Jeff Bezos)成为全球最负盛名足球队之一的新股东。 这位亚马逊创始人兼亿万富豪是一个投资者团体的成员，该团体周五同意从Fenway Sports Group手中收购英国利物浦足球俱乐部(Liverpool Football Club)的少数股权。知情人士称，该财团将收购利物浦足球俱乐部约33%的股权，这笔交易对这支英超球队的估值超过70亿美元。 Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Jeff Bezos bets on sports with Liverpool deal
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Jeff Bezos bets on sports with $7 billion Liverpool deal
Jeff Bezos is the new part-owner of one of the world's most celebrated soccer teams. The billionaire founder of Amazon.com is among a group of investors that agreed Friday to buy a minority stake in Britain's Liverpool Football Club from Fenway Sports Group. The consortium is acquiring about a 33% stake in Liverpool in a deal that values the Premier League team at more than $7 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
Jeff Bezos Bets on Sports With Liverpool Deal
Billionaire to become a part-owner of the storied Premier League soccer team, valued at more than $7 billion Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez. Brendan McDermid/Reuters Jeff Bezos is the new part-owner of one of the world’s most celebrated soccer teams. The billionaire founder of Amazon.com is among a group of investors that agreed Friday to buy a minority stake in Britain’s Liverpool Football Club from Fenway Sports Group.
Hollywood Mogul Ari Emanuel to Buy Theater Giant in $6 Billion Deal
Deal for ATG Entertainment marks a bet on ongoing resurgence of live theater Ari Emanuel Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel is betting big on the theater. The media mogul’s live entertainment business Mari Group on Tuesday said it had agreed to buy Britain’s ATG Entertainment from private-equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The deal values ATG at around £4.5 billion including debt, equivalent to roughly $6 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
Vibe-coding startup Lovable hits $13 billion valuation
Artificial-intelligence startup Lovable has raised fresh funds at a $13.3 billion valuation, highlighting investor enthusiasm for vibe-coding tools Launched in November 2024, the Stockholm-based company's AI platform allows users to create software and web applications using simple, everyday language. Lovable raised $400 million in the new fundraising, the company and its investors said.
Vibe-Coding Startup Lovable Hits $13 Billion Valuation
Anton Osika, Lovable's chief executive and co-founder. - Big Event Media/Getty Images Artificial-intelligence startup Lovable has raised fresh funds at a $13.3 billion valuation, highlighting investor enthusiasm for vibe-coding tools. Launched in November 2024, the Stockholm-based company's AI platform allows users to create software and web applications using simple, everyday language.
Hollywood mogul Ari Emanuel to buy theater giant in $6 billion deal
Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel is betting big on the theater. The media mogul's live entertainment business Mari Group on Tuesday said it had agreed to buy Britain's ATG Entertainment from private-equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The deal values ATG at around £4.5 billion including debt, equivalent to roughly $6 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
Hollywood Mogul Ari Emanuel to Buy Theater Giant in $6 Billion Deal — WSJ
Hollywood Mogul Ari Emanuel to Buy Theater Giant in $6 Billion Deal — WSJ By Julia Amann and Ben Dummett Hollywood power broker Ari Emanuel is betting big on the theater. The media mogul's live entertainment business Mari Group on Tuesday said it had agreed to buy Britain's ATG Entertainment from private-equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The deal values ATG at around GBP4.5 billion including debt, equivalent to roughly $6 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
UK waves through $81 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal
LONDON—The U.K. government cleared Paramount's $81 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery merger after the U.S. media company offered protections to ensure editorial independence of the combined companies' television and streaming services. Last month, the government had indicated that it may review the deal amid concerns that together Paramount and Warner Bros. could gain too much control over the country's media outlets.
UK waves through $81 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. deal
LONDON—The U.K. government cleared Paramount's $81 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery merger after the U.S. media company offered protections to ensure editorial independence of the combined companies' television and streaming services. Last month, the government had indicated that it may review the deal amid concerns that together Paramount and Warner Bros. could gain too much control over the country's media outlets.
Fenway Sports Group Mulls Minority Stake Sale of Liverpool Soccer Team
A consortium that includes the family behind ArcelorMittal approached the Boston Red Sox owner about a possible deal The Liverpool team was recently valued at $6.2 billion. Thibaud Moritz/AFP/Getty Images Fenway Sports Group, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, is in talks to sell a minority stake in Britain’s Liverpool Football Club, one of the top-tier, professional soccer teams in the English Premier League.
Buyout firm Truelink strikes $1 billion deal for coffee syrup maker
Ben Dummett, Lauren Thomas Truelink Capital said Monday it had acquired Lyons Magnus, a company that specializes in making flavored ingredients and beverages. The deal value wasn't disclosed. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that it would be valued at around $1 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. The details California-based Lyons Magnus traces its roots back to 1852.
Buyout Firm Truelink Nears $1 Billion Deal for Coffee Syrup Maker
Lyons Magnus specializes in fruit-based ingredients and beverages, from flavored syrups for coffee drinks to fruit purees for smoothies Truelink Capital is nearing a deal to acquire Lyons Magnus that values the fruit-based ingredients and beverage maker at around $1 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. The details An announcement could come as soon as Monday, barring any last-minute snags, the people said. Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Stripe and Private-Equity Firm Advent Offer to Buy PayPal
The fintech company is in the early stages of a turnaround effort under new CEO Enrique Lores PayPal’s headquarters in San Jose, Calif. Getty Images Stripe and buyout firm Advent International made a joint takeover bid for PayPal PYPL 2.18%increase; up pointing triangle Holdings in a deal that would value the fintech company at around $53 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The approach was made in recent days, they added.
Stripe and private-equity firm Advent offer to buy PayPal
Ben Dummett, Lauren Thomas Stripe and buyout firm Advent International made a joint takeover bid for PayPal Holdings in a deal that would value the fintech company at around $53 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The approach was made in recent days, they added. Stripe and Advent proposed paying $60.50 a share for PayPal, the people said, about a 60% premium above PayPal's closing price Friday. There are no guarantees PayPal will be receptive, the people added.
By engineering a near majority stake in rival Commerzbank, the UniCredit CEO is moving closer to a deal Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit. Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg News Italian banker Andrea Orcel did something few thought possible: He outsmarted the Germans on their home turf.
How Andrea Orcel did an end run around Germany to build a banking giant
Italian banker Andrea Orcel did something few thought possible: He outsmarted the Germans on their home turf. By engineering a near majority stake for his bank, UniCredit, in rival Commerzbank, he is muscling closer to a deal seen as a litmus test for Europe's ability to knit together its economy and compete better. UniCredit on Wednesday said it likely won voting control of Commerzbank shares , after building its stake to just under 50% in an open tender offer.
How Andrea Orcel Did an End Run Around Germany to Build a Banking Giant
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Europe’s Biggest Banking Deal in Years Is Getting Closer
Italian bank UniCredit is edging closer to its longtime goal of taking over German rival Commerzbank, a landmark deal that would create a pan-European financial giant. UniCredit now has control of around 42% of Commerzbank’s stock—and an economic interest in a further 13%—following its tender offer launched earlier this year. That should be enough to give the Italian lender control of its rival’s board and management.
Europe’s Biggest Banking Deal in Years Is Getting Closer
Italian lender UniCredit began circling Commerzbank in 2024. Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg News Italian bank UniCredit UCG 0.64%increase; up pointing triangle is edging closer to its longtime goal of taking over German rival Commerzbank CBK 0.52%increase; green up pointing triangle, a landmark deal that would create a pan-European financial giant.
Europe’s Biggest Banking Deal in Years Is Getting Closer
The final tender results aren't due until early July and a deal could take until 2027 to finalize. Regardless, Orcel has all but won, said Filippo Alloatti of asset manager Federated Hermes, which owns bonds of both banks. "The takeover has happened," he said. UniCredit began circling Commerzbank in 2024, disclosing a 9% stake in September of that year. It bought financial contracts tied to the German bank's shares and kept raising its holding.
CVC to Buy IFF’s Food-Ingredients Unit in $4.3 Billion Deal
IFF is to retain a minority stake in the division it is selling. - Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg News International Flavors & Fragrances has agreed to sell its food-ingredients business to buyout firm CVC Capital Partners in a deal that values the division at $4.3 billion including debt. The details IFF said Friday that it will retain a 10% stake in the division, partly to ensure continued cooperation between the company and the food-ingredients business.
CVC to Buy IFF’s Food-Ingredients Unit in $4.3 Billion Deal
The sale of IFF’s largest division is the company’s latest move to boost profitability IFF is to retain a minority stake in the division it is selling. Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg News International Flavors & Fragrances has agreed to sell its food-ingredients business to buyout firm CVC Capital Partners in a deal that values the division at $4.3 billion including debt.
BP’s move to oust chairman adds to years of upheaval
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BP’s Ouster of Its Chairman Brings More Turmoil After Years of Upheaval
Albert Manifold was an industry outsider tapped to oversee a turnaround at BP BP 0.27%increase; green up pointing triangle after years of upheaval. Now his abrupt departure has the major oil company facing a fresh bout of turmoil.
BP Removes Chairman After Concerns About Bullying Behavior
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The Socialist Banker Venezuela Hired to Fix Its Finances and Bring Back Investors
Centerview’s Matthieu Pigasse is helping Caracas restructure around $150 billion in debt Matthieu Pigasse Jumeau Alexis/Abaca/ZUMA Press The French investment banker Matthieu Pigasse arrived at the private screening of Melania Trump’s documentary at the White House on the cusp of winning one of the biggest deals of his career.
The Socialist Banker Venezuela Hired to Fix Its Finances and Bring Back Investors
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The Socialist Banker Venezuela Hired to Fix Its Finances and Bring Back Investors
Matthieu Pigasse - Jumeau Alexis/Abaca/ZUMA Press The French investment banker Matthieu Pigasse arrived at the private screening of Melania Trump’s documentary at the White House on the cusp of winning one of the biggest deals of his career. A supporter of the Socialist Party in France and critic of the Israeli government, the Centerview banker was an unusual guest at the exclusive event, featuring President Trump, Mike Tyson, Queen Rania of Jordan and tech executives such as Apple’s Tim Cook.
A British Lipstick Queen Derails Estée Lauder’s Big European Deal
Charlotte Tilbury sought to rework her buyout, complicating a fraught deal with Spain’s Puig Charlotte Tilbury at the 2026 Met Gala. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/Vogue Charlotte Tilbury, the celebrity makeup artist and cosmetics entrepreneur, is famous for her Magic Cream, Pillow Talk lipsticks and Golden Goddess eye shadow. Now she has left her mark on Wall Street.
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