Why middle market manufacturers and energy companies face rising volatility Key takeaways Supply chain risk stems from geographic concentration across mining, processing and refining. That concentration risk is colliding with accelerating demand across multiple sectors. Disciplined working capital strategies can help organizations balance resilience with liquidity. Critical minerals—including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, copper and platinum group metals—are essential inputs for manufacturing and energy companies. They underpin everything from industrial components and advanced manufacturing to power generation, grid infrastructure, electric vehicles and defense applications. Supply...

Key Takeaways: Recent rule developments from major international institutions provide sophisticated frameworks for managing disputes as they arise. The American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR) is developing dispute board rules specifically tailored to the life sciences industry, signaling growing institutional focus on the sector’s unique dispute resolution needs. Rule developments from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) similarly reflect the...

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes The article in brief: European private markets stabilized during the second quarter of 2026, although investors have become more selective regarding sectors and credit profiles. Public credit spreads tightened from first-quarter levels, while financing conditions remained competitive for high-quality borrowers. Direct lending markets remain characterized by abundant dry powder and limited new issuance. Financing terms have remained favorable for stronger credits, while AI-exposed, cyclical, and lower-quality borrowers continue to face higher risk premiums and greater scrutiny. M&A...

Earnouts are often presented as a solution that can help get a deal across the finish line. If a buyer and seller disagree on valuation, an earnout can help bridge that gap by tying a portion of the purchase price to the future performance of the company post-closing. It’s a simple concept in theory. If the company performs as expected, the seller will receive additional payments. If the company does not meet the established metrics, the buyer pays less. However, in practice, earnouts can introduce a...

Following the publication of the “Digital Omnibus” on 19 November 2025, the political promise of easing regulatory burdens and moving towards simplification was initially welcomed by the market. However, nearly a year on, the effects have yet to be felt by stakeholders, and may be further contained now that both the European Parliament and the Council have taken positions on the text. In an urgent drive to relaunch the European economy, ease the regulatory burden on businesses, and compete with...