On September 16, 2026, several significant financial stories emerged. KKR & Co., the US private equity firm, became the preferred bidder to acquire Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste, entering into exclusive talks after Apax Partners LLP withdrew from the process. A deal is anticipated in the coming weeks, according to sources familiar with the private discussions.
Separately, the popular meditation and mental health support app Headspace is being acquired by Sword Health, an artificial intelligence startup, for nearly $300 million. Headspace is known for its guided meditations, expert-led courses, and sleep-focused audio content.
In the energy sector, billionaire shale pioneer Harold Hamm's Continental Resources Inc. is set to announce a deal to invest in Venezuela's oil sector. This move aligns with the Trump administration's push for US companies to revive Venezuela's oil industry, with the announcement expected at the G20 energy summit.
Venezuela is also diversifying its commercial ties by preparing to ship aluminum to the US under a deal with Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. and Heeney Capital. This marks the first aluminum shipment to the US in years, with approximately 15,000 metric tons produced by state-owned Venalum scheduled to depart as early as Friday.
Finally, Tether has significantly expanded its role as a bullion lender, providing about $1.5 billion in financing to a major US gold dealer, Gold.com Inc. Tether accounted for the majority of the $1.7 billion in precious-metal leases outstanding at Gold.com Inc. by the end of June, having also acquired a stake in the platform earlier this year.
