Investment Technology Senior Consultant

Company acquisitions in Argentina grow 31% in value and defy regional decline. The country was the only one of the six main Latin American markets where both the number and value of mergers and acquisitions increased during the first nine months of 2026. October 15, 2026 | 05:45 AM Buenos Aires - While mergers and acquisitions decline in Latin America, Argentina shows a different behavior. During the first nine months of 2026, the country recorded 31% growth in the value of company purchase and sale transactions, against a 5% drop at the regional level. According to the Quarterly Report on the Latin American Transactional Market-3Q 2026, prepared by TTR Data in collaboration with Datasite and Aon, Argentina accumulated 203 transactions for US$6,515 million between January and September. The number of transactions increased 4% year over year. Thus, Argentina was the only one of the six main markets analyzed that recorded increases in both indicators. In Latin America as a whole, 1,720 transactions were counted for US$78,812 million, with a 26% drop in number and 5% in value. How Argentina stood against Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. * Brazil continued to lead the regional market, with 968 transactions for US$49,190 million. However, the number of transactions fell 31%, although its value rose 31%. * Chile ranked second by number of transactions, with 239 transactions, 12% less than a year earlier. Mobilized capital fell 24%, to US$5,556 million. * Mexico recorded 200 transactions, with a 12% decrease in number and 25% in value, to US$14,549 million. * Argentina, with 203 transactions, ranked third in the regional ranking by number, ahead of Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. What sectors attract buyers. The report identifies energy, mining, and telecommunications infrastructure among the relevant sectors for large mergers and acquisitions in Latin America. In Argentina, Vaca Muerta continues to generate corporate movements. Among the standout transactions of 2026 is the acquisition of Equinor (EQNR) assets by Vista Energy (VIST). The growth in the value of acquisitions also occurs in a more selective regional market. According to TTR Data, private equity transactions fell 20% in number, although mobilized capital increased 97%, to US$14,566 million. In venture capital, transactions fell 36%, to 272 transactions, for US$3,525 million. International interest is also reflected in cross-border transactions. According to TTR Data, North American companies led strategic acquisitions in Latin America, with 283 transactions through September 2026, followed by European (225) and Asian (59). In turn, Latin American companies completed 58 transactions in Europe and 33 in North America.

Marsh McLennan and Aon, the two big insurance brokers, earn fees for placing risk with underwriters rather than carrying it. Yet their recent results differ sharply, according to an Insider Monkey comparison. Marsh McLennan closed at $177.01 on October 13 and has returned 2% over six months. Aon closed at $274.71 and has returned -15.6%. Both trailed the S&P 500 ETF's 14.0% return. Marsh grew quarterly revenue 6.20%, against 2.20% at Aon, whose earnings fell 4.80%. Marsh's operating margin is 26.32%, against 23.46% at Aon. Aon trades at 13.48 times next year's earnings, against 14.97 for Marsh. The article argues the discount reflects Aon's weaker growth. Softening premiums remain a shared risk, since commissions are charged on premiums.

Aon, EBRD expand Ukraine war risk facility to €150m with MS Amlin. 13th October 2026 - Author: Kane Wells - Aon and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have expanded the Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility (URGF) from €110 million to €150 million, boosting war risk reinsurance capacity that has supported nearly 10,000 policies covering goods and vehicles worth more than €500 million. Aon said the expansion comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which is facing intensifying Russian attacks on energy, transport, logistics and civilian infrastructure, alongside a renewed blockade of Black Sea ports. "The attacks have significantly strained Ukrainian businesses and the economy, and adequate war risk insurance is essential for businesses to manage their risks and ensure that their business activity can continue," the global professional services firm explained. Through the URGF, which is managed by Aon, the EBRD is providing global reinsurer MS Amlin with a guarantee covering losses on war-related risks underwritten by the local Ukrainian insurers participating in the facility. Aon noted that this enables the Ukrainian insurers to benefit from reinsurance coverage and expand their war insurance offering. "Premiums generated by these policies have exceeded claims reported to date, and MS Amlin has not called on the EBRD guarantee - a sign that the insurance market for war risk in Ukraine is functioning well," Aon added. With the expansion of the facility, Ukrainian insurance companies UNIVERSALNA (Fairfax Financial Group, Canada) and USG (Vienna Insurance Group) have joined previously announced local market participants INGO, Colonnade and UNIQA in driving the expansion of the product in the Ukrainian market. Aon said the facility has been expanded to cover the transportation and storage of gas-related assets, while also introducing a new line of business covering inventory held in temporary warehouse storage. For reference, the scheme already covers inland cargo, motor vehicle damage and railway rolling stock. The facility is backed by France, the United Kingdom, Norway and TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the additional capacity is supported by donor coverage from the European Union under its Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF). Greg Case, President and CEO of Aon, commented, "With the war continuing to imperil the Ukrainian economy, war risk insurance is central to sustaining investment and building resilience in Ukraine. "We are proud to welcome UNIVERSALNA and USG to the expanded facility, which has already led to more than €500 million of reinsurance coverage for goods and vehicles across nearly 10,000 policies and will now protect more businesses, while preparing the country for recovery and reconstruction." Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the EBRD, said, "The URGF is a critical tool that helps businesses in Ukraine to manage their risk and continue operating in a war environment. We're pleased to work with our partners to expand the scheme and offer additional support to more companies amidst challenging operating conditions." Martin Burke, Chief Underwriting Officer, MS Amlin, added, "Ukrainian businesses continue to trade and invest despite the conflict, driving strong demand for war-risk insurance. Expanding the facility will allow local insurers to meet more of that demand and provide cover across a broader range of commercial risks. "This expansion is an important step towards building a broader, more sustainable market. Bringing in more reinsurers and additional capacity will be vital to supporting Ukraine's economic resilience and longer-term recovery." Oleksiy Muzychko, CEO of UNIVERSALNA, observed, "Reinsurance Group would like to express its sincere appreciation to the EBRD and Aon for their continued support. This initiative is especially important for Ukrainian businesses today, and for the agricultural sector in particular. "By joining this reinsurance program, we will increase our capacity to provide war risk coverage, enabling more businesses across Ukraine to access the protection they need to sustain operations and contribute to the country's economic resilience." Pavlo Nelga, CEO of USG, noted, "At USG, we strongly believe in the continued resilient development of Ukrainian business, and joining the expanded facility helps us better address current needs in Ukraine. We are grateful to our international partners for their continued support and for upgrading the facility for the Ukrainian insurance market. We look forward to remaining a strong partner in rebuilding the country after the war." Peter Höfinger, Deputy CEO of Vienna Insurance Group, said, "The renewed and intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy, transport and civilian infrastructure underpins the importance of functioning insurance solutions right now. Businesses need the ability to protect their assets and maintain operations even under these extremely difficult circumstances. Together with its strong partners Aon and EBRD, Reinsurance Group is helping to provide additional insurance capacity where it is urgently needed and, at the same time, supporting the resilience of the Ukrainian economy."