Inspire Brands, the restaurant group owned by private equity firm Roark Capital, has confidentially filed for a US initial public offering, signalling a potential return to public markets for one of the sector’s largest franchised restaurant operators, according to a report by Reuters.

Infrastructure investor I Squared Capital and private equity group Blackstone are reportedly moving closer to a potential acquisition of German media company Stroeer in a deal that could value the business at around €2.5bn, according to a report by Bloomberg.

UK-listed testing and inspection group Intertek has formerly turned down a revised takeover proposal from Swedish private equity firm EQT, arguing that the offer significantly undervalues the business and presents considerable execution uncertainty, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Industrial technology group Ametek has agreed to acquire the instrumentation businesses of Indicor, a portfolio company of private equity firm CD&R, in a cash transaction valued at approximately $5bn, according to a report by Reuters.

Brookfield Asset Management is expanding its presence in the Gulf real estate market through a new joint venture in Dubai, partnering with consumer conglomerate Alshaya Group to develop a large mixed-use project in the Dubai Hills district, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Intertek is preparing to reject a revised takeover proposal from Swedish private equity group EQT, as the FTSE 100 testing and inspection company maintains that the latest offer still undervalues the business, according to a report by then Financial Times.

Private equity firm Siris Capital is set to exit portfolio company Equiniti following an agreement to sell the business to cryptocurrency exchange Bullish in a transaction valued at $4.2bn, according to a to a report by Reuters.

UK testing and compliance group Intertek is evaluating a revised takeover proposal from Swedish private equity firm EQT, in a deal that would value the company at approximately £8.9bn ($12bn), according to a report by Reuters.

Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in healthcare revenue cycle management companies Knack RCM and EqualizeRCM, marking a further expansion into healthcare services, according to a company statement, according to a report by Bloomberg.