Your Daily Private Equity Briefing

Castlelake Confirms EasyJet Takeover Consideration, Board Calls Approach "Highly Opportunistic"

• US alternative investment firm Castlelake, L.P. confirmed on May 30, 2026, its preliminary consideration of a possible takeover of British low-cost carrier easyJet, sending the airline's shares soaring over 11% on June 1. easyJet's board, however, described the approach as "highly opportunistic" given recent market conditions, stating they have not yet engaged in discussions or received a formal proposal, but remain open to future offers. Castlelake, which already holds a 2.14% stake in easyJet, has until June 26, 2026, to announce a firm intention to bid or withdraw.

  AviationbusinessnewsTravelpulseAirinsight

• Sweden's EQT has officially set a target fund size of €21 billion (approximately $24.5 billion) for its new Infrastructure VII fund, announced on May 31, 2026. This target matches the amount raised for its predecessor, EQT Infrastructure VI, which closed at €21.5 billion in March 2025, and the new fund's investment strategy is expected to remain consistent, focusing on long-term infrastructure assets.

  EqtgroupIpeFundsforngos

• A protest organized by The Players Alliance coalition took place outside EA headquarters on June 1, 2026, in response to the video gaming giant's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The coalition expressed concerns that the deal, described as the largest leveraged buyout in history, could lead to layoffs and the replacement of employees with AI technologies, with the debt ultimately borne by consumers.

  Cepr