Years ago, an ailing company like Walgreens Boots Alliance may have seemed like a prime acquisition target for deal-hungry private equity firms. But many have backed away from retail recently, leaving an opening for groups like Sycamore Partners who are willing to buck the trend. Sycamore announced this month that it would take the global pharmacy business private in a $23.7bn debt and equity deal. The FT’s Due Diligence reporter, Amelia Pollard, explains the well-worn playbook that Sycamore has used on past retail companies, and whether it will work this time with a chain that has its own share of unique problems.   Clips from Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: Retail’s last barbarian: the private equity group about to play hardball with Boots What went wrong after Walgreens bought Boots?  Walgreens bondholders could be winners from its debt-laden buyout - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Follow Amelia Pollard (@ameliajpollard) on X or (@pollard.bsky.social) on Bluesky. Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  For more from Amelia and her team, sign up for the Due Diligence newsletter.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disputes over power and pay aren’t unusual at Wall Street’s top firms. What isn’t ordinary is when the conflict turns into a decade-long legal battle. That was the case for boutique investment firm Perella Weinberg Partners and their former star banker, Michael Kramer. After 10 years, their dispute recently went to trial in Manhattan. The FT’s Wall Street editor Sujeet Indap had a seat inside the courtroom, and tells us what he learned about the inner workings of the firm.  Clips from Bloomberg, Fox Business - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: Perella Weinberg trial lifts veil on bitter feud among top bankers  Court brawl reveals fractious world of investment banking  Wall Street’s battle of the bankers  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Follow Sujeet Indap on X (@sindap) or on Bluesky (@sindap.bsky.social). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.