Maria Armental

New York

Reporter at The Wall Street Journal

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Articles

Private Equity Leaders Look Abroad as U.S. Policy Roils Market

3 weeks ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

Investors increasingly look at Europe, particularly in credit, as shifting policies induce turbulence at homeMay 15, 2025 5:04 pm ET|WSJ ProPrivate-equity firms and their fund backers are setting their sights outside the U.S. for investing opportunities as policy uncertainty at home wrecked an anticipated deal bonanza.
Exclusive | Shamrock Capital Backs Consultant Neocol in Bet on AI’s Proliferation

1 month ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

Neocol, which helps subscription-based businesses grow, is Shamrock’s first investment from its Clover strategy, which targets smaller dealsMay 7, 2025 7:00 am ET|WSJ ProInvestment firm Shamrock Capital is backing consulting company Neocol, betting on a business that helps companies with subscription-based revenue integrate the disruptive tide of artificial intelligence—including AI agents, which can automate complex tasks.
Exclusive | Summit Partners Backs Grant-Management Company Instrumentl

1 month ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

The growth investment comes at a time of federal grant cuts besetting the services provider’s client baseApril 23, 2025 7:00 am ET|WSJ ProGrowth equity firm Summit Partners invested $55 million in Instrumentl, a startup that helps nonprofits and universities find and manage grants at a time when the U.S. government is overhauling how and how much federal money is distributed to align with President Trump’s priorities. Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Exclusive | Sixth Street Leads Growth Deal Backing Luma Financial Technologies

1 month ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

Sixth Street Partners led a $63 million growth investment in Luma Financial Technologies, which offers a platform used by banks and financial advisers to build complex, structured investment products for clients. President Trump’s shifting U.S. tariff plans and the ensuing market tumult have turned a spotlight on companies like Luma that help wealth advisers quickly assess performance and options for their clients. The go-to source for all things private equity.
Exclusive | Morgan Stanley Collects $2.3 Billion for Private Equity Co-Investments

1 month ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

The investment bank’s asset management arm sees robust demand for co-investment capital, particularly to co-underwrite dealsApril 14, 2025 6:30 am ET|WSJ ProMorgan Stanley Investment Management, the asset-management arm of investment bank Morgan Stanley, collected just over $2.3 billion to invest alongside other managers in small companies. The fundNorth Haven Private Equity Co-Investment Opportunities Fund III, or PECO III, closed at its hard cap with about $2.3 billion in commitments.
Tariff Upheaval Threatens Private Equity’s Exit Recovery Hopes

1 month ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental |Laura Kreutzer

U.S. private-equity exits and their total value rose in the first quarter compared with a year ago, but recent market volatility puts that momentum at riskApril 14, 2025 12:01 am ET|WSJ ProWild stock-market swings related to tariffs threaten to upend private equity’s plans to exit from investments as the industry sits on a backlog of more than 12,000 U.S. companies, including about 3,800 that have been held for five to 12 years, according to research firm PitchBook Data.
Clear Haven Capital Backs $400 Million Loan Deal for Fertility Payment Company

2 months ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

Future Family focuses on addressing fertility treatment costs, the biggest pain point for those looking to start a familyApril 3, 2025 6:30 am ET|WSJ ProCredit investor Clear Haven Capital Management is backing fertility financing company Future Family with $400 million to support loans for those looking to start a family.
Franchise Equity Looking for Next Bet in Sports Franchising

2 months ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

A side hustle of owning a collection of Jersey Mike’s Subs shops while at Goldman Sachs has turned into a second act of broader franchise investing for veteran dealmaker Mike Esposito. His Franchise Equity Partners is now looking to move into the world of sports as it expands its portfolio of franchises.
Small Investor Group Scores 88-Fold Return in Poppi Sale

2 months ago | wsj.com | Maria Armental

The $1.95 billion sale of prebiotic soda brand Poppi to soft drink and snack foods giant PepsiCo will pay off in a big way for a group of consumer packaged goods investors. The Angel Group—a syndicate of sector operators, investors and consultants—scored a return of 88 times the $105,000 it invested in Poppi in 2020 at a $22 million valuation, said founding member Adam Spriggs.
Exclusive | New Water Capital Buys Family-Owned Dutch Gold Honey

Mar 3, 2025 | wsj.com | Maria Armental

Private-equity firm New Water Capital is acquiring Dutch Gold Honey and related businesses from the Gamber family that founded the company nearly 80 years ago. Boca Raton, Fla.-based New Water is acquiring the Dutch Gold Honey and McLure’s Honey & Maple Products businesses as well as Gamber Container packaging and a trucking line operating as DGH Logistics.