TOP STORY: Japanese multinational investment company SoftBank Group has been considering the acquisition of Graphcore, a UK semiconductor startup that has faced challenges despite a previous valuation of $2.8bn, according to a report by Bloomberg. 

TOP STORY: Shares in Peloton soared by as much as 18% on Tuesday after CNBC reported that several private equity firms are considering a buyout of the connected fitness company, which is looking to refinance its debt and return to growth after 13 consecutive quarters of losses.

Boston-headquartered private equity firm Advent International has entered into discussions with the Government of Oman over a potential injection of fresh capital into state-owned OQ Chemicals in exchange for a majority stake in the company, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Roark Capital, a US PE firm focused on leveraged buyout investments across franchise restaurant and food, health and wellness, and business services, has completed its acquisition of Subway in a deal valued at $9.6bn.

Blackstone and Goldman Sachs are lining up to provide around $1.6bn in funding to support a potential take-private deal for L’Occitane International by the company’s owner Reinold Geiger, which could value the skincare business at about $7bn including debt, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Private equity funds managed by Blackstone will acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a franchisor of fast casual restaurants, from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, marking the first deal from the most recent vintage of Blackstone’s flagship PE strategy.