The rocket and satellite company is considering raising more than $25bn in an offering that could come as early as June, according to a person familiar with the plans. Retail demand is expected to be substantial, despite the significant capital requirements and operational risks associated with commercial space ventures. Shay Boloor of Futurum Equities Research said enthusiasm is likely to overwhelm concerns about Musk's unconventional approach. He said the IPO is going to be the 'craziest' in the 'history of the stock market,' and noted that a $1.5tn valuation could surge above $2tn once trading begins. Musk's confrontations with regulators and past governance controversies remain part of the risk profile. The Tesla CEO has previously clashed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and threatened to leave Tesla earlier this year over compensation disputes. Investors said such drama is intrinsic to backing high-growth ventures run by powerful founders. Institutional exposure already exists. GAMCO Investors owns SpaceX shares through a spectrum deal with EchoStar, though it is undecided on participating in an IPO. Neuberger Berman holds unlisted shares and believes strong fundamentals underpin demand, citing the combination of a proven launch business and the rapid expansion of Starlink services. Portfolio manager Dan Hanson said SpaceX offers both 'the steak and the sizzle.'...

The private equity firm is buying a portfolio spanning about 2m square feet across Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, according to people familiar with the transaction. Most of the properties are anchored by grocery chains such as H-E-B and Kroger, which are viewed as stable, long-term tenants. Adam Leslie, managing director at Blackstone Real Estate, said: 'Grocery-anchored retail is one of our high-conviction themes given the strong fundamentals across the sector.' A Blackstone spokesperson declined to comment on pricing or the identity of the seller. Investor interest in grocery-anchored properties has risen as new retail construction slows, keeping occupancy levels high and supporting rental growth. The assets are also seen as resilient during periods of reduced discretionary spending. The deal follows Blackstone's $4bn take-private of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp earlier this year and a recent $1.5bn partnership to acquire grocery-focused retail assets in Hawaii. The transactions underscore Blackstone's continued bet on essential retail as a core real estate strategy....

For obvious reasons, insurance-related technology isn't exactly one of the sexiest investment areas for VCs, which might explain why funding and deal count are both down this year, per a review of Crunchbase data. But insurance impacts everyone in one way or another, and the sector is also one of the areas that shows great promise for artificial intelligence. Indeed, many of the venture deals that have gone into the sector this year have been around AI and automation. Funded insurtech startups are using AI for functions such as streamlining underwriting, automating claims processing, improving risk assessment, and reducing manual work. The broad trend: Even before the pandemic-fueled funding peaks, insurtech startups received more than double the amount of venture funding in 2019 than they have in more recent years. While investors haven't given up on insurtech, funding to startups in the space is down in 2025 and deal count is at a multiyear record low. The numbers: So far in 2025, global insurance-related startups have pulled in about $3.9 billion in seed-through growth-stage financing, per Crunchbase data ' almost less than one-fourth of the 2021 peak dollars raised ' with deal counts also on the decline. The lower deal count signals both potentially decreased investor interest in the space, as well as larger round sizes....

The new capital coincides with the extension of Burger King UK's Master Franchise Agreement to 2044, a move designed to align financial stakeholders and support continued expansion. Bridgepoint first invested in the business in 2017 and remains its key private equity partner. Burger King UK operates about 575 outlets across the country and employs roughly 12,000 people. The business reported a 7% rise in revenue to '408.3m in 2024, while underlying EBITDA increased 12% to '26m. The company also completed a refinancing, extending the maturity of its bank facilities to March 2028. Chief executive Alasdair Murdoch plans to open around 30 new sites next year, despite pressure on the wider hospitality sector. Casual dining chains such as TGI Fridays and Leon have entered administration in recent days, and industry leaders warn that recent fiscal measures have intensified cost challenges. Bridgepoint declined to comment on the new investment. The fresh capital signals sustained private equity confidence in the growth prospects of branded quick-service dining as consolidation and refinancing reshape the UK market....