Newsletter Edition 94
Dec 19, 2025
Medline’s IPO Marks Largest PE-Backed Offering Since 2021, Shares Jump Over 40%
The Medline IPO has emerged as one of the most significant events in private equity this week, delivering a much-needed success for the broader PE exit market. The medical supply provider, majority-owned by Blackstone, Carlyle, and Hellman & Friedman since its 2021 leveraged buyout, raised $6.26 billion in its initial public offering, valuing the company at $54.5 billion. Upon debut on the Nasdaq, shares opened at $35 and surged 41% before closing at $41, despite some pullback in subsequent pre-market trading.
Medline’s performance is noteworthy for the private markets: it comes amid a period of slower IPO activity and challenging exit conditions. The proceeds will be partly used to reduce a substantial debt load, improving financial flexibility. Investor demand was broad, attracting both major institutional participants and sovereign wealth funds, highlighting continued appetite for strong PE-backed public offerings.
Source: https://www.barrons.com/articles/medline-ipo-mdln-ticker-stock-price-9663035e
Germany Launches €30 Billion Fund to Mobilize Private Investment in Strategic Sectors
The German government has unveiled a €30 billion initiative called “Deutschlandfonds” designed to attract private capital to priority areas such as renewable energy infrastructure, industrial decarbonization, and deep tech innovation. The program, coordinated by finance and economy ministries and implemented through state-owned bank KfW, will leverage a mix of guarantees, loans, and equity stakes to reduce risk for private investors and catalyze deals that might otherwise struggle to secure funding.
Key measures include €8 billion in guarantees for industrial transformation, support for geothermal energy development, and expanded venture funding via Zukunftsfonds II. The initiative reflects a broader European trend of public-private collaboration to accelerate capital deployment into strategic economic sectors.
L Catterton Takes Minority Stake in Indian Consumer Brand Haldiram’s
Global consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton has acquired a minority stake in Indian snacks and sweets leader Haldiram’s, underscoring growing interest by international PE investors in India’s consumer market. The transaction highlights the expanding geographic footprint of private capital targeting high-growth consumption sectors outside traditional Western markets.
Haldiram’s, known for its broad portfolio of legacy brands and strong distribution network, has attracted significant investor attention. Earlier in the year, a consortium including Temasek, IHC, and Alpha Wave Global purchased a combined stake valuing the company at around $10 billion, marking one of India’s largest private consumer deals. The L Catterton investment is expected to support further scaling and product innovation.