Finance Monthly. Editor’s Note Why 2026 Is Becoming a Defining Year for Capital, Control and Corporate Strategy As we enter 2026, global dealmaking is no longer driven by optimism alone. It is being shaped by discipline, selectivity and strategic urgency. After several years of volatility — marked by inflation shocks, rate resets, geopolitical risk and uneven capital markets — boards, sponsors and strategic buyers are once again deploying capital with intent. But they are doing so differently. The transactions shaping this moment are not speculative. They are structural. Across banking, logistics, energy, life sciences, sports infrastructure and digital media, this month’s featured transactions point to a common theme: scale, capability and control matter more than speed. Large financial institutions are acquiring platforms that deepen customer relationships and generate resilient fee income. Private equity sponsors are building national leaders through disciplined add-on strategies in fragmented markets. Strategic buyers are using acquisitions to leapfrog years of internal R&D or reposition balance sheets for the next cycle. Public companies are turning to stock-for-stock mergers to consolidate industries, unlock synergies and withstand capital intensity. What unites these moves is a clear recalibration of risk. Dealmakers are no longer chasing growth at any price. Instead, they are structuring transactions that prioritise execution certainty, operational resilience and long-term value creation. For Finance Monthly, this moment matters. Our readers — investors, advisers, executives and policymakers — operate at the intersection of money, power and decision-making. Understanding why capital is flowing where it is, how deals are being structured, and what those choices signal about the future of industries is essential to navigating what comes next. This issue reflects FM’s core mission: not simply to report transactions, but to explain their significance. From strategic acquisitions and platform build-outs to transformative mergers and innovation-driven buyouts, we examine how capital is being deployed — and why those decisions carry consequences far beyond the deal table. As markets adjust and confidence returns selectively, 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined less by volume and more by intentionality. The deals featured in this issue are early markers of that shift. Mark Palmer Editor editor@finance-monthly.com Universal Media Ltd Watling Court Orbital Plaza, Watling Street, Bridgtown, Birmingham, West Midlands, WS11 0EL, United Kingdom enquiries@universalmedia365.com Copyright 2026 Published by Universal Media Ltd The views expressed in the articles within Finance Monthly are the contributors’ own, nothing within the announcements or articles should be construed as a profit forecast. All rights reserved. Material contained within this publication is not to be reproduced in whole or part without the prior permission of Finance Monthly. Circulation details can be found at www.finance-monthly.com 3 Find us on Facebook Finance Monthly Stay Connected www.linkedin.com/finance-monthly Tweet us @Finance_Monthly Follow us on Instagram Financemonthly FOLLOW US /finance-monthly @financemonthly @finance_monthly @financemonthly @finance-monthly Finance Monthly Follow us on social media to receive the latest financial updates, news and online features on the go. www.finance-monthly.com Editor’s Note. Watch us on You Tube @Finance-monthly Find us on TikTok Finance Monthly
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