Featured Stories
Ropes & Gray Advised Audax Private Equity Portfolio Company Flow Control Holdings in Majority Stake Sale to Blackstone
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 11 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Ropes & Gray Advised Audax Private Equity Portfolio Company Flow Control Holdings in Majority Stake Sale to Blackstone
Ropes & Gray advised Audax Private Equity portfolio company Flow Control Holdings (FCH) in a majority stake sales agreement with private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone Capital Partners and Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, collectively Blackstone. The transaction was announced on September 10 and financial terms were not disclosed.
As part of the transaction, Audax
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 11 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Ropes & Gray Advised Audax Private Equity Portfolio Company Flow Control Holdings in Majority Stake Sale to Blackstone
Ropes & Gray advised Audax Private Equity portfolio company Flow Control Holdings (FCH) in a majority stake sales agreement with private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone Capital Partners and Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, collectively Blackstone. The transaction was announced on September 10 and financial terms were not disclosed.
As part of the transaction, Audaxwill retain a minority equity stake in FCH, continuing to partner with Blackstone and management to support the company. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Flow Control Holdings is a provider of highly engineered flow control solutions and components for data center liquid cooling, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. AI infrastructure is increasingly relying on liquid cooling for improved energy usage and chip efficiency.
Audax Private Equity is a leading private equity platform focused on investing across the North American middle market. As of July 2026, Audax Private Equity had approximately $20 billion of assets under management and, since inception in 1999, has invested in more than 180 platforms and more than 1,500 add-on acquisitions.
The Ropes & Gray team was led by private equity partner Ken Chow and private equity associate Joshua Coombes and included environmental partner Peter Alpert, tax partner Scott Pinarchick, antitrust partners Ruchit Patel and Samer Musallam, HSR partner Deidre Johnson, mergers & acquisitions partner Craig Marcus, litigation & enforcement partner Dan McCaughey, and employment, executive compensation & benefits partner Jenny Rikoski.
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URL: Audax Private Equity
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Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2026/09/ropes-gray-advised-audax-private-equity-portfolio-company-flow-control-holdings-blackstone-sale
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Net Settlement of Shares for Tax Withholding Purposes
DALLAS, Texas, Sept. 11 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Haynes Boone, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Net Settlement of Shares for Tax Withholding Purposes
When certain types of equity awards vest, employers must withhold applicable payroll and income taxes on behalf of the employee. One common way to handle this tax obligation is through a "Net Settlement," which allows the employer to withhold a portion of the shares otherwise deliverable to the employee to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.
Generally, when certain equity awards vest, the fair market value of the vested
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, Sept. 11 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Haynes Boone, a law firm, posted the following news:
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Net Settlement of Shares for Tax Withholding Purposes
When certain types of equity awards vest, employers must withhold applicable payroll and income taxes on behalf of the employee. One common way to handle this tax obligation is through a "Net Settlement," which allows the employer to withhold a portion of the shares otherwise deliverable to the employee to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.
Generally, when certain equity awards vest, the fair market value of the vestedshares (less any amount previously paid by the employee for the shares) is included in the employee's ordinary income for the applicable taxable year. To effect a Net Settlement, the employer calculates the total taxes owed on that amount, withholds enough shares to cover those taxes, and delivers the remaining shares to the employee. The employer then sends the cash equivalent of the withheld shares to the IRS and any applicable state or local tax authorities.
Prior to considering a Net Settlement, employers should consider:
* Cash Flow: The company needs enough cash on hand to pay the tax authorities directly.
* Section 16 Officers: For a Section 16 officer, a Net Settlement must be structured to qualify as an exempt transaction under SEC Rule 16b-3 so it does not create short-swing profit liability, which generally requires advance approval by the board of directors or a compensation committee. Many companies either hardwire an automatic Net Settlement into the award agreements or limit the timing of Net Settlements to open trading windows or pre-approved Rule 10b5-1 plans to help avoid insider trading concerns.
* Plan Documents: The company's equity plan must authorize Net Settlements, typically with the approval of the plan administrator, and the underlying award agreement should also provide for Net Settlement as a way to satisfy the employee's tax obligation.
It is important to note that the foregoing applies to equity awards that are not subject to a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Where such an election has been timely filed, the taxable event is accelerated to the date of grant rather than the date of vesting and Net Settlement would not be available since the shares have not yet vested.
Although a Net Settlement is a common mechanism that employers use for satisfying employee tax withholding obligations for equity awards, employers should be aware of the considerations summarized above when implementing such a practice.
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Original text here: https://www.haynesboone.com/news/blogs/net-settlement-of-shares-for-tax-withholding-purposes
Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform With New Capabilities at IBC 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 11 -- Dolby Laboratories Inc. issued the following news release on Sept. 10, 2026:
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Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better understand and deepen fan engagement, as Dolby Vision comes to the platform alongside updates to Dolby OptiView Ads
AMSTERDAM - Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB), a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, today announced major updates to Dolby OptiView, its live sports platform, ahead of IBC 2026. The updates include new AI-powered intelligence to better
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Sept. 11 -- Dolby Laboratories Inc. issued the following news release on Sept. 10, 2026:
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Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better understand and deepen fan engagement, as Dolby Vision comes to the platform alongside updates to Dolby OptiView Ads
AMSTERDAM - Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB), a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, today announced major updates to Dolby OptiView, its live sports platform, ahead of IBC 2026. The updates include new AI-powered intelligence to betterunderstand what drives fan engagement, the debut of Dolby Vision on the platform, and greater flexibility for Dolby OptiView Ads.
Dolby OptiView is a platform designed to deliver more engaging live sports experiences. It gives teams, leagues, and streamers a full suite of capabilities to better understand their audiences, create personalized experiences, unlock monetization opportunities, and deliver premium-quality live content that keeps fans watching.
"From rivalries to the underdog stories that turn into epic championship runs, sports are defined by the moments that fans care about most," said Giles Baker, Senior Vice President of Dolby Cloud Solutions, Dolby Laboratories. "As audiences engage with sports in more ways than ever, understanding what resonates with fans has become increasingly important. Dolby OptiView gives our partners the power to deliver live sports experiences that take fan engagement to a new level, building stronger connections and loyalty while creating opportunities to increase revenue."
Introducing Dolby OptiView Sports Intelligence
Dolby OptiView Sports Intelligence is a new capability designed to help providers understand both the unfolding story of a game and what keeps fans watching. It also provides the tools to use this information to create highlights, catch-ups, and personalized experiences. Powered by AI models developed by Dolby, Dolby OptiView Sports Intelligence uses real-time game data and viewer data to build a minute-by-minute understanding of the game and what engages each viewer. This helps providers identify what audiences find most compelling as the action unfolds live, and anticipate when interest may begin to decline.
Providers can use these insights and tools to build highly personalized experiences that adapt automatically, keeping fans watching without requiring them to customize their own viewing experience. For data-driven fans, that could mean displaying compelling stats relevant to them when the action slows and interest may begin to decline. For fantasy fans following multiple teams, it could mean anticipating when to transition into and out of multiview so they can follow consequential moments across multiple games. For newer audiences, it could mean surfacing untold stories around locker-room dynamics, personal rivalries, and off-field developments that draw them deeper into the sport.
Dolby Vision Now Available Through Dolby OptiView
Dolby Vision is now available through Dolby OptiView for the first time, bringing stunning brightness, contrast, color, and detail to live sports. Whether it's the intensity of a game-winning drive, the atmosphere of a packed stadium, or the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, Dolby Vision helps fans experience every moment with greater clarity and realism. The Seattle Seahawks are the first team to introduce Dolby OptiView with Dolby Vision, bringing exclusive live programming and preseason coverage directly to fans through the official Seahawks app and Seahawks.com.
"We are continually looking for new ways to enhance our digital offerings for fans and are excited to be the first NFL team to integrate Dolby OptiView," said Kenton Olson, Seahawks Vice President of Digital & Emerging Media. "Partnering with an industry-leader like Dolby will allow us to bring the 12s closer to the game than ever before through richer visuals, lower latency and a more immersive streaming experience within both our mobile app and website."
Greater Flexibility with Dolby OptiView Ads
Dolby is expanding Dolby OptiView Ads beyond the Dolby OptiView Player, enabling support for additional video players. As the first certified server-guided ad insertion solution verified within the Google ecosystem, Dolby OptiView Ads helps publishers maximize monetization while maintaining a high-quality viewing experience. In one deployment with a major sports organization, the solution delivered an average 76% increase in eCPM and an average 132% increase in fill rates. In-stream ad formats help providers make more effective use of their ad inventory while keeping live action visible during ad delivery, reducing disruption for viewers.
"We believe the future of live sports requires greater flexibility for providers and more engaging experiences for fans," said Lemu Coker, CTV Ecosystem Partnerships Manager, Google. "We share Dolby's vision for more personalized sports experiences, and our collaboration brings together complementary technologies that can help publishers unlock new monetization opportunities while delivering the high-quality viewing experiences audiences expect."
Experience Dolby OptiView at IBC 2026
Visitors to IBC 2026 are invited to join Dolby in Amsterdam from September 11 to 14 to explore Dolby OptiView and experience these latest capabilities. Visit Dolby in Hall 5, Stand F86.
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About Dolby
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is a world leader in immersive entertainment. From movies and TV, to music, sports, gaming, and beyond, Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences for billions of people worldwide across all their favorite devices. We partner with artists, storytellers, and the brands you love to transform entertainment and digital experiences through groundbreaking innovations like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby OptiView.
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Original text here: https://news.dolby.com/en-WW/270399-dolby-expands-dolby-optiview-platform-with-new-capabilities-at-ibc-2026/
[Category: BizEntertainment Industry]
Dentons Recognised as a 2026 Employer of Choice for Employee Experience, Career Development and Workplace Culture
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons recognised as a 2026 Employer of Choice for employee experience, career development and workplace culture
Australia--For the third consecutive year, Dentons in Australia has been recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice 2026 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer. The annual recognition program identifies leading law firms and legal organisations that deliver outstanding employee experience, career development, workplace culture, wellbeing and people-focused initiatives.
The recognition highlights Dentons'
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dentons recognised as a 2026 Employer of Choice for employee experience, career development and workplace culture
Australia--For the third consecutive year, Dentons in Australia has been recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice 2026 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer. The annual recognition program identifies leading law firms and legal organisations that deliver outstanding employee experience, career development, workplace culture, wellbeing and people-focused initiatives.
The recognition highlights Dentons'commitment to creating one of Australia's leading workplace cultures in the legal sector. Dentons was assessed alongside law firms across Australia and New Zealand and recognised for its investment in professional development, leadership, diversity and inclusion, technology, wellbeing and flexible work practices.
Dentons invests in learning and career development
A key factor in achieving the recognition was Dentons' structured learning and development framework, which supports employees at every stage of their careers. Over the past 12 months, the firm delivered 94 learning sessions and 85 hours of structured learning through its Graduate Development Program, Solicitor Development Program, Associate Development Program, Senior Associate Development Program and Pathway to Partnership initiative.
These programs provide employees with access to legal training, leadership development, mentoring, career coaching, international opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and technology-focused capability building. Dentons also supports career progression through global mentoring programs, further study support and international secondment opportunities.
Legal innovation and AI capability
Dentons continues to invest in legal technology and artificial intelligence to support both clients and employees. During the past year, the firm expanded its use of AI-enabled legal solutions and rolled out technology platforms including Co-Pilot, Legora and Lexis+, while continuing to strengthen digital tools that enhance knowledge sharing, legal research, collaboration and client service delivery.
Building AI and technology capability has become a key focus of the firm's learning strategy, ensuring employees have the skills needed to work effectively in an evolving legal environment.
Strong employee engagement and workplace culture
The 2026 Special Report recognised 32 law firms across Australia and New Zealand and assessed nominees across 11 areas that define the modern employee experience, including leadership, remuneration, career progression, professional development, technology, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and work-life balance.
Dentons reported a 90% employee survey participation rate and an 84% employee engagement score, with results exceeding previous internal benchmarks and external professional services benchmarks. The firm's submission also highlighted industry-leading initiatives in workplace flexibility, inclusion, leadership development and employee wellbeing.
Commenting on the recognition, Ben Carter, HR Director said, "At Dentons, we design the employee experience with the same care and rigour that we bring to serving our clients. Through structured career development, meaningful leadership opportunities, flexible work practices, wellbeing initiatives and investment in AI enhancement, we empower our people to grow and succeed at every stage of their careers. Being recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice for a third consecutive year reflects the strength of our culture and the trust and engagement of our people."
Australia Chair and Australasia Region CEO, Amber Warren said, "This recognition is a testament to the extraordinary people who make Dentons what it is. As we continue to deliver our Australia and PNG 2025-2030 strategy, we remain focused on building an inclusive, high-performing workplace where people feel connected, supported and inspired to do their best work. Achieving this recognition for the third consecutive year reinforces our commitment to investing in our people, embracing innovation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive."
Recent Dentons workplace awards and recognition
This recognition adds to a growing list of recent accolades acknowledging Dentons' workplace culture, diversity, inclusion and employee experience, including:
* Being named one of the WORK180 Top 101 Employers for Women 2026
* Becoming the first large law firm in Australia to achieve a 0% median gender pay gap
* Receiving Gold Status at the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Awards 2025
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About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
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Original text here: https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2026/september/dentons-recognised-as-a-2026-employer-of-choice
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Clark Hill: Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA GLP-1 Shortage Decisions, Narrowing Path for Mass-Market Compounding
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Sept. 11 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA GLP-1 Shortage Decisions, Narrowing Path for Mass-Market Compounding
Author: Jose Vela Jr.
Two appellate decisions involving semaglutide and tirzepatide uphold the FDA's determinations that the shortages of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have ended and limit continued reliance on the shortage exception for compounded GLP-1 products.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the FDA's decisions removing semaglutide and tirzepatide injection products
... Show Full Article
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Sept. 11 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA GLP-1 Shortage Decisions, Narrowing Path for Mass-Market Compounding
Author: Jose Vela Jr.
Two appellate decisions involving semaglutide and tirzepatide uphold the FDA's determinations that the shortages of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have ended and limit continued reliance on the shortage exception for compounded GLP-1 products.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the FDA's decisions removing semaglutide and tirzepatide injection productsfrom the federal drug shortage list. The two cases involved Ozempic and Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro and Zepbound, manufactured by Eli Lilly. In both cases, compounding interests challenged the FDA's determination that manufacturer supply could meet or exceed projected demand.
Federal law generally restricts compounding of drugs that are essentially copies of commercially available or approved products. Those restrictions are relaxed in important respects while a drug appears on the FDA's shortage list, allowing compounders that satisfy the applicable statutory requirements to produce compounded versions during a shortage. The FDA's removal of semaglutide and tirzepatide from the shortage list ended that broader shortage-based pathway.
Why This Matters
Demand for GLP-1 medications created nationwide shortages and a large market for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. Compounding pharmacies, telehealth companies, weight-loss businesses, medical practices, med spas, and online platforms developed programs offering compounded products while supplies of FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs remained constrained. Our June GLP-1 alert addressed how those shortages fueled the growth of compounded products marketed through many of these channels.
The FDA later determined that the shortages had been resolved. For semaglutide, the FDA relied heavily on Novo Nordisk's production, inventory, supply, wholesaler, and projected demand information. For tirzepatide, the FDA reached the same conclusion after reviewing Eli Lilly's expanded manufacturing capacity and information submitted by manufacturers, compounders, patients, healthcare professionals, telehealth companies, and others. The FDA allowed transition periods before resuming enforcement of restrictions tied to the end of the shortages.
The Fifth Circuit Rejects the Industry's Challenges
The compounders attacked the FDA's decisions under the Administrative Procedure Act. They argued that the FDA should have used notice-and-comment rulemaking before removing the drugs from the shortage list and that the agency acted arbitrarily and capriciously in concluding that the manufacturers could meet demand. They also challenged the FDA's reliance on manufacturer production and inventory information over evidence submitted by compounders, patients, telehealth companies, pharmacies, and others.
The Fifth Circuit rejected those arguments. In the semaglutide case, the court held that any error resulting from the FDA's failure to use notice-and-comment procedures was harmless because affected parties had actual notice and repeated opportunities to submit information to the agency. The court also concluded that the FDA reasonably relied on manufacturer supply and inventory data and adequately considered contrary evidence in determining whether the statutory definition of a drug shortage continued to be satisfied.
The court also upheld the FDA's treatment of screenshots, patient reports, surveys, news articles, and other evidence offered to show that shortages persisted. In the tirzepatide case, the FDA discounted information collected through a Hims & Hers website because the submissions did not reliably establish when the reported access problem occurred, where the user was located, why the individual could not obtain the drug, or whether the same individual submitted multiple reports. The Fifth Circuit concluded that the FDA reasonably found manufacturer data more probative than that evidence.
Although unpublished, the decisions apply settled Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit precedent to the compounders' challenges to the FDA's semaglutide and tirzepatide shortage determinations. District courts considering materially similar challenges must apply those same governing standards, which should lead to the same result absent materially different facts, a different administrative record, or a different legal theory.
Impact on Compounding Pharmacies, Telehealth Companies, and Prescribers
Compounding pharmacies can no longer rely on the former semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages to support routine large-scale production of essentially copies of the the FDA-approved products. Section 503A pharmacies and Section 503B outsourcing facilities remain subject to different statutory requirements, but both face restrictions once the shortage exception is no longer available. Businesses that expanded GLP-1 operations during the shortages should review whether their current products, production practices, and distribution models satisfy the requirements that now apply.
Telehealth companies and medical practices also should review how compounded GLP-1 products are prescribed and marketed. A patient-specific prescription is an important part of Section 503A compounding, but it does not by itself resolve whether the compounded product is essentially a copy or whether the other statutory conditions are satisfied. Programs built around standardized prescribing, substantially identical formulations, and broad consumer marketing may present different issues from traditional compounding for an identified patient with a documented clinical need.
Owners and investors should evaluate the same issues when assessing existing GLP-1 businesses or proposed transactions. The legal basis for continued compounding can affect pharmacy relationships, physician contracting, telehealth operations, marketing practices, supply arrangements, revenue projections, enterprise value, and regulatory exposure. Businesses that developed around the former shortage exception may require a different legal and operational structure if they intend to continue offering compounded GLP-1 products.
Patient-Specific Compounding Remains Available
The Fifth Circuit decisions do not eliminate legitimate patient-specific compounding. Section 503A continues to permit compounding for an identified individual patient when the applicable statutory requirements are satisfied. Federal law also recognizes circumstances in which a prescriber determines that a compounded product produces a significant difference for a particular patient compared with the commercially available product.
That distinction will depend on what occurs in practice. A compounded formulation developed because an individual patient cannot tolerate an ingredient in the approved drug presents a different situation from a program that routinely directs large numbers of patients to substantially the same compounded product. The FDA can examine the formulation, prescribing documentation, medical justification, pharmacy operations, marketing, and relationships among the telehealth company, prescriber, and pharmacy when determining whether a program satisfies federal compounding requirements.
Key Takeaway
The FDA's semaglutide and tirzepatide shortage determinations remain in place following the Fifth Circuit's decisions. Compounding pharmacies, telehealth companies, physicians, medical practices, weight-loss businesses, owners, investors, and other organizations involved in compounded GLP-1 products should review whether their current prescribing, compounding, marketing, and distribution arrangements comply with the federal requirements that apply after the shortages have ended.
Organizations that continue to offer compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide should evaluate the legal basis for those products, including whether the compounding is genuinely patient-specific and whether the underlying clinical, pharmacy, and business arrangements satisfy the remaining statutory requirements. The FDA's continuing scrutiny of compounded GLP-1 products increases the importance of addressing those issues before existing practices become the subject of regulatory or enforcement activity.
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This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.
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Original text here: https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/fifth-circuit-upholds-fda-glp1-shortage-decisions/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Bain & Co.: Fragile Recovery in Transatlantic Confidence as U.S. Investors Warn on UK Competitiveness
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 11 (TNSrep) -- Bain and Co., a management consulting firm, issued the following news release:
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Fragile recovery in transatlantic confidence as US investors warn on UK competitiveness
* The 6th edition of the annual Index from BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company finds confidence in the US-UK business corridor has edged up to 6.7 out of 10, from a record low of 6.6 last year.
* US companies' confidence in the UK improves marginally, from 6.3 to 6.4, with investors continuing to raise concerns about tax, regulation and energy costs.
* UK companies' confidence
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Sept. 11 (TNSrep) -- Bain and Co., a management consulting firm, issued the following news release:
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Fragile recovery in transatlantic confidence as US investors warn on UK competitiveness
* The 6th edition of the annual Index from BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company finds confidence in the US-UK business corridor has edged up to 6.7 out of 10, from a record low of 6.6 last year.
* US companies' confidence in the UK improves marginally, from 6.3 to 6.4, with investors continuing to raise concerns about tax, regulation and energy costs.
* UK companies' confidencein the US rebounds more strongly, from 7.5 to 8.1, with investment intentions remaining strong despite concerns around political stability, immigration and trade policy.
LONDON--The 2026 Transatlantic Confidence Index from BritishAmerican Business (BAB) and Bain & Company, which surveyed 74 leading transatlantic companies, reveals a modest recovery in confidence in the transatlantic economy following last year's sharp decline.
The overall Index, which remained stable at 7.0-7.2 out of 10 between 2021 and 2024 before falling to 6.6 last year, edged up to 6.7 in 2026. While investment intentions remain strong on both sides of the Atlantic, businesses continue to raise concerns about tax, regulation, energy costs and policy predictability.
US companies report slightly higher confidence in the UK
US companies' confidence in doing business in the UK edged up from 6.3 in 2025 to 6.4 this year, following last year's fall to the lowest level since the Index began.
Despite the slight improvement, US investors continue to raise concerns about the UK's domestic business environment. Tax and the cost of doing business remain significant concerns, while energy supply and costs - included in the survey for the first time - were viewed just as negatively as tax.
US businesses are calling for a more competitive environment for investment. 35 per cent ranked a flexible, predictable and business-friendly regulatory and tax environment as their number one priority, while 75 per cent placed it in their top three.
Businesses also want to see regulatory reform and simplification, delivery of the UK's industrial strategy and planning reforms, and greater certainty around energy supply and costs. 92 per cent of US respondents rated the implementation of a pro-growth agenda at seven out of ten or higher in importance to their future investment in the UK.
Despite these concerns, US companies remain committed to the UK market, with most respondents expecting to maintain or increase their investment over the next two to three years.
Perceptions of the UK's political stability also deteriorated, with its net attractiveness score falling from +37 in 2025 to -12 this year. The survey was conducted as expectations of a change in political leadership were growing, and before the new Prime Minister took office. Confidence in the UK-EU relationship also slipped from 6.6 to 6.2.
UK companies' confidence in the US rebounds
UK companies' confidence in doing business in the US increased from 7.5 out of 10 in 2025 to 8.1 in 2026, recovering much of last year's decline.
Confidence in the US approach to economic policy also improved, rising from 5.4 to 6.5 out of 10.
The fundamentals of the US market continue to be highly attractive to UK investors. Access to capital and talent remain important strengths, while UK business leaders rated their confidence in US innovation at 8.5 out of 10.
This is reflected in investment intentions, with 86 per cent of UK respondents planning to moderately or significantly increase their investment in the US.
However, concerns remain around political stability, immigration policy, and trade. UK businesses want the US to maintain open markets and strong economic relationships with its trading partners.
Duncan Edwards, CEO of BritishAmerican Business, said: "US companies still want to invest in the UK, but they are increasingly clear about what is getting in the way. Tax, regulation and the cost of energy are all weighing on the UK's competitiveness. The UK is competing for investment every day and we shouldn't take that investment for granted. Confidence has edged up, which is welcome, but there is clearly more work to do. With another Budget coming up, businesses will be looking for predictability and won't want to see further increases to the cost of doing business."
Jonathan Frick, partner at Bain & Company in London, said: "The transatlantic business corridor has proved resilient through a very unsettled period, and companies remain committed to investing on both sides of the Atlantic. But the findings also show that the fundamentals matter. Cost, regulation, access to talent and policy predictability will continue to shape where businesses choose to invest."
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Notes to Editors
This is the sixth edition of the Transatlantic Confidence Index issued by BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company.
The Index measures the confidence of US companies active in the UK and UK companies operating in the US. When appropriate, data from prior Index surveys is referenced for comparison. A total of 74 companies responded to the 2026 survey, including 53 US companies operating in the UK and 21 UK companies operating in the US. Combined, they employ nearly 275,000 people and represent a range of sectors, including financial services, technology, healthcare, media, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
While many factors influence confidence, the Transatlantic Confidence Index focuses on overall confidence for investing and trading, short-term investment prospects, and the health of the US-UK economic relationship.
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About BritishAmerican Business
BritishAmerican Business is the leading transatlantic trade association incorporating the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the US and the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
We are committed to strengthening the economic corridor between the United States and the United Kingdom by supporting policies and action that protect and enhance the environment for transatlantic trade and investment.
We convene and serve a growing network of companies and business leaders through networking opportunities, bespoke programming and marketing platforms.
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About Bain & Company
Bain & Company works with leaders worldwide to solve their toughest challenges and deliver enduring results. Since 1973, we've partnered with clients, including private equity and portfolio companies, to build the capabilities they need to stay ahead of change and help them redefine their industries. We measure our success by our clients' success, and we proudly hold the highest levels of client advocacy in our field.
Bain is consistently recognized globally as one of the best places to work. We operate as one global team, uniting strategists, industry and functional experts, technologists, and advisors with a vibrant ecosystem of technology partners.
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Bain & Company was founded in 1973 and today has 19,000 employees across 67 cities in 40 countries. We have worked with more than two-thirds of the Global 500 and more than 9,000 companies worldwide. Bain has pledged to deliver $2 billion in pro bono consulting to nonprofit, public-sector and charitable organizations by 2035. The firm is consistently recognized as a Leader in major analyst rankings across multiple areas, including digital business, innovation, strategy, experience design, customer experience, and carbon-zero transformation
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URL: BritishAmerican Business
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View survey here: https://www.bain.com/insights/a-fragile-rebound-for-us-uk-confidence-2026-transatlantic-confidence-index/
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Original text here: https://www.bain.com/about/media-center/press-releases/2026/fragile-recovery-in-transatlantic-confidence-as-us-investors-warn-on-uk-competitiveness/
[Category: BizConsulting]
Akerman Expands Corporate Practice Group With Addition of Debt Finance Partner Bruce Steinert in Los Angeles
MIAMI, Florida, Sept. 11 -- Akerman, a law firm, issued the following news release on Sept. 10, 2026:
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Akerman Expands Corporate Practice Group With Addition of Debt Finance Partner Bruce Steinert in Los Angeles
Akerman LLP today announced that Bruce Steinert has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Los Angeles. A veteran debt finance lawyer, Bruce advises private equity sponsors, debt investment funds, publicly traded companies, and privately held ventures on leveraged buyout financings and a broad range of debt financing and related corporate matters.
Bruce's
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Sept. 11 -- Akerman, a law firm, issued the following news release on Sept. 10, 2026:
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Akerman Expands Corporate Practice Group With Addition of Debt Finance Partner Bruce Steinert in Los Angeles
Akerman LLP today announced that Bruce Steinert has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in Los Angeles. A veteran debt finance lawyer, Bruce advises private equity sponsors, debt investment funds, publicly traded companies, and privately held ventures on leveraged buyout financings and a broad range of debt financing and related corporate matters.
Bruce'spractice spans acquisition facilities, refinancing facilities, recapitalizations, distressed and workout facilities, bond issuances, and second-lien and junior debt financings, both domestic and multijurisdictional. His experience reaches across a wide array of sectors, including software, IT, business services, health care, manufacturing, retail, insurance, and pharmaceuticals, and he has represented leading sponsors in financings supporting dozens of platform and add-on acquisitions.
"Bruce's arrival strengthens our debt finance capabilities on the West Coast at a moment when our private equity clients are asking for exactly this kind of depth," said Paul Quinn, co-chair of Akerman's Corporate Practice Group. "His practical, deal-tested approach to sponsor-side financings makes him a tremendous addition to our national corporate team, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the firm."
"Akerman's private equity platform is one of the strongest in the country, and it is an ideal home for my practice," said Bruce. "I look forward to working with my new colleagues to serve our sponsor and portfolio company clients on the financings that drive their most important transactions."
Bruce is the second partner to join Akerman's Los Angeles office in recent weeks, following the arrival of litigation partner Jade Faysal Jurdi, underscoring the firm's continued growth in the market.
Bruce joins a private equity practice recognized among the nation's best. Akerman was named the "2026 Leveraged Buyouts & Private Equity Law Firm of the Year" by Best Lawyers in its annual "Best Law Firms" survey, a distinction awarded to a single firm nationwide in each practice area, and the firm's M&A practice is ranked nationally by The Legal 500.
He is admitted to practice in California and New York.
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About Akerman
Founded in 1920, Akerman is an Am Law 100 firm recognized by Vault among the nation's most prestigious law firms. The firm has more than 700 lawyers and business professionals throughout the United States.
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Original text here: https://www.akerman.com/en/firm/newsroom/akerman-expands-corporate-practice-group-with-addition-of-debt-finance-partner-bruce-steinert-in-los-angeles.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
