On The Deals Shaping Our Economy
Good morning. Ika here.
Today we're watching a high-stakes poker game in Hollywood, a targeted assassination in Moscow, and a digital consolidation in the South African auto market.
🇺🇸 Ellison’s $40bn Gamble
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has agreed to personally backstop $40bn in financing to support Paramount’s hostile $108bn bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD).
Why it matters: This is a significant escalation in Paramount's attempt to gatecrash Netflix’s $83bn deal for the studio.
Ellison is trying to prove his camp has the cash to close.
The big picture:
Paramount kept its offer at $30 a share but extended the tender deadline to January 21.
The move is designed to force the WBD board—which currently favors the Netflix deal—back to the negotiating table.
Ellison provided an "irrevocable personal guarantee" to resolve doubts about funding.
"We expect the board of directors of WBD to take the necessary steps to secure this value-enhancing transaction and preserve and strengthen an iconic Hollywood treasure for the future."
🇷🇺 Russian General Killed in Moscow
A high-ranking Russian general was killed by a car bomb in Moscow on Monday, marking the third targeted killing of a senior officer in the capital within a year.
Driving the news:
Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the operational training directorate, died after an explosive device attached to his Kia Sorento detonated.
Russian authorities are investigating potential links to Ukrainian security services, though Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.
Between the lines: This attack highlights persistent security vulnerabilities deep inside Russia nearly four years into the war.
It follows similar assassinations of Maj. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik and Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov.
🇿🇦 WeBuyCars Doubles Down on Digital
WeBuyCars has acquired a 49% stake in digital auction platform GoBid for R377m, cementing its grip on the local vehicle market.
How it works:
The deal secures a pipeline for accident-damaged and uneconomic-to-repair vehicles that don't meet WeBuyCars’ retail standards.
WeBuyCars bought out Taximart’s 40% share and acquired an additional 9% from other shareholders.
What to watch: The deal includes a "call option" allowing WeBuyCars to increase its stake to 51% within the next year, paving the way for full control.
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