Paramount is reportedly open to reaching a settlement concerning the $20 billion lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump against CBS News, following expressions of concern by Paramount’s owner, Shari Redstone, about CBS News' editorial balance in recent months. The developments highlight ongoing tensions between media organisations and political figures over content and representation.
In related corporate news, the administrator for the now-defunct financial firm Greensill Capital has initiated legal proceedings against its founder, Lex Greensill, alongside six other former directors. These lawsuits represent an extension of the legal difficulties surrounding the collapse of the Australian financial services company, which drew significant attention in the financial sector.
Meanwhile, innovation in the financial services industry is exemplified by the emergence of Rogo, an artificial intelligence start-up designed to automate routine tasks traditionally performed by junior investment bankers. Founded by former Lazard analyst Gabriel Stengel, the AI chatbot developed by Rogo can quickly evaluate a company’s market position and perform basic valuation comparisons. It has found acceptance at major financial institutions such as Moelis, Nomura, Tiger Global, and GTCR. The start-up recently completed a $50 million funding round led by Thrive Capital, increasing its valuation to $350 million. Stengel remarked to the Financial Times that the platform aims to “train reasoning models that think like investors and investment bankers,” positioning it as a potential game changer within the investment banking recruitment landscape.
In South America, BTG Pactual, led by André Esteves, is making strategic moves to expand its presence in global commodities trading. Esteves, chair of the Brazil-headquartered bank valued at $30 billion, has ambitious plans to leverage Brazil’s status as a major agricultural exporter, aiming to provide comprehensive services from production to delivery in key international markets such as China, the Middle East, and India. Esteves, who has a history of resilient leadership including overcoming legal challenges linked to a high-profile corruption scandal, expressed these goals in his first media interview in six years. He emphasized the bank’s intent to become “one of the main global players in the [commodities] sector,” leveraging its diversified commercial banking and asset management operations.
On U.S. trade policy, Goldman Sachs president John Waldron shared with the Financial Times his anticipation of market developments dependent on the progression of ongoing trade negotiations. Waldron highlighted the importance of clarity on tariffs by the U.S. Labor Day holiday on 1 September 2025, indicating that a resolution could provide a framework for future trade policies. He noted, “Most people are making no changes because they are thinking, in 90 days you will know more,” reflecting a cautious approach by companies awaiting outcomes from trade discussions following the Trump administration's pause on certain tariffs.
The financial sector continues to see significant personnel movements: Marcelo Claure has joined Brightstar Capital Partners as partner and co-chair; Steve Schurr has been hired by Millennium Management as a senior equities manager; and Matthew Newton is leaving his role as managing director and head of communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Goldman Sachs. Additionally, Henry Birch and Jeff Hammer, along with Paul Sanabria, have moved to White & Case and Moelis respectively, reinforcing key teams in private equity and advisory roles.
The Financial Times is reporting that Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, maintains an extensive influence across the live entertainment industry but now faces a Department of Justice antitrust case that could influence regulatory approaches. Moreover, scrutiny continues on the blurred lines between private enterprise and government policy in former President Trump’s business ventures, particularly in the cryptocurrency space.
The financial markets have shown mixed dynamics, with UBS, Barclays, and Société Générale benefiting from increased trading activity amid market volatility. Shifts in international trade, particularly U.S. tariffs, are prompting companies like Shein to explore restructuring options, potentially impacting its planned London initial public offering. Microsoft has announced measures to safeguard its European operations from U.S. trade policy impacts, and oil company Equinor is considering legal action against the Trump administration over disruptions to wind power projects.
Finally, the Financial Times highlights the growing trend of private acquisitions extracting substantial sums from public equity markets in Europe over the last decade, while Airbus warns of widespread negative consequences from prolonged trade disputes.
This comprehensive overview presents a multifaceted picture of current developments in the intersection of media, finance, trade, and corporate leadership worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services