Claire Poole

Vinson & Elkins advised Chord and Latham & Watkins assisted Enerplus, a combination that analysts say will create a more formidable, acquisitive Williston-focused explorer and producer.

VC M&A has suffered from the same statis markets as any other kind of M&A. But it’s been a while since the CDT Roundup has focused on startups, so this is the week. With the help of PitchBook, The Lawbook’s Claire Poole takes a look at what those in the industry are predicting for the coming year. Are non-SPAC IPOs making a comeback? That, and a look at a rather raucous week of 26 pretty disparate deals and the lawyers who worked on them.

Paul Weiss and Vinson & Elkins counseled the privately owned Endeavor, whose 85-year-old founder has been considering selling.

Latham & Watkins lawyers in New York and Houston counseled Aera’s owners IKAV and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on the deal, which will enhance CRC’s scale across both the upstream and carbon management businesses.

A Houston deal team from King & Spalding counseled Glatfelter on the transaction, which is expected to bring Berry $1 billion in proceeds to repay debt.

The term “cautious optimism” may be about as cautious (and as literal) as you can get when it comes to M&A in 2024. But a survey of 200 multinational executives by Mergermarket and Norton Rose Fulbright suggests just that, even though nearly six in ten say their own appetite for M&A is likely to increase over the coming year. In fact, one in four say the overall market is likely to increase significantly. The Roundup’s Claire Poole returns this week with a detailed examination of the report, along with the usual look at recently reported deals that involved Texas firms and Texas lawyers.

Worldwide M&A values in 2023 reached $2.9 trillion, down 17 percent from 2022. U.S. M&A values were $1.4 trillion in 2023, down about 5 percent compared to the prior year — the slowest (and lowest) annual number in six years. According to a study by LSEG, a data and information firm, private equity-backed M&A fared even worse: a decline of 30 percent in value from 2022. Mega deals ($10 billion+) were down in value and volume. So, what went right? Maybe more than it seems. A closer look at the numbers reveal something far less grim; maybe even optimistic. Perhaps needless to say, CDT Roundup takes that closer look — along with the usual “roundup” of lawyers and firms who reported their deals last week.

Analysts say the deal helps boost both inventory and oil mix in APA’s unconventional portfolio but are less favorable on Callon’s asset quality.