Abu Dhabi state investment company, ADQ, is reported to have held talks earlier this year to take Lazard private.

This follow’s Mizuho’s acquisition deal for Greenhill & Co. in May this year – for an enterprise value of $550m.

It also follows reports of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) looking at buying Standard Chartered earlier in the year.

The ADQ-Lazard deal reportedly did not work because of differing wants regarding operating control.

Issuers may want to position themselves to effectively work with Middle East capital.

2023 ACQUISITION Talks