“Merger friendly” Trump admin’s tariffs have M&A deals at a 20-year low

555

The Trump administration was expected to open the merger floodgates following years of heightened antitrust regulation. Instead, global dealmaking is at a low not seen since before “Boom Boom Pow” was atop the Billboard charts. According to Dealogic data reported by Reuters, just 555 M&A deals were signed in the US in April, the country’s lowest level since May 2009.

April’s “Liberation Day” tariffs saw worldwide M&A values drop 54% from March. The 2,330 global deals signed marks the fewest since February 2005.

Boeing signed one of the month’s largest deals with the $10.6 billion sale of its digital unit to a private equity firm.

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That’s less than 1% of its peak market cap about four years ago.

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JetBlue is raising its bag fees as fuel costs squeeze airlines

JetBlue will reportedly hike its bag fees, as the cost of jet fuel continues to climb amid the war in Iran. It’s the latest example of carriers finding ways to push rising costs onto travelers.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that if fuel prices remain elevated, fares would need to rise another 20% for his airline to break even this year.

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Americans won’t tolerate bland food anymore — and it’s turned McCormick into a ~$7 billion-a-year spice and sauce giant

Now, McCormick is eyeing Unilever’s food business.

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