In keeping with our mission to provide comprehensive advertising analysis, the MediaRadar research team puts together a report of the most important mergers and acquisitions news each week. Stay in the loop, whether you sell advertising space or focus on business development.

This week Equifax steps up its game with small and medium sized businesses, Hitachi adds to its developing IoT service, and Pinterest joins a successful slew of IPOs. In other news, Comcast is rumored to be selling its stake in Hulu to Disney.

Equifax Acquires Commercial Credit Risk Provider Paynet

Equifax, Inc. completed its acquisition of the commercial credit risk provider PayNet. Equifax said it hopes to increase its growth in the small and medium commercial space. The acquisition means Equifax will combine its existing data with PayNet’s “differentiated and valuable commercial leasing data” to strengthen their commercial business. The exact terms of the deal remain undisclosed.

Hitachi Builds Up Its IoT Service with JR Automation Technologies

Hitachi has announced it will buy U.S. robotic system integrator JR Automation Technologies for $1.42 billion. The deal puts Hitachi in a position to enter the growing industrial equipment industry in North America. Hitachi has been developing an internet-of-things (IoT) service, which collects data for customers to help streamline their operations. With JR Automation’s specialization in production and logistic systems, Hitachi’s acquisition will certainly support these efforts. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2019.

Pinterest Goes Public

Pinterest made its public trading debut on the NYSE late last week at a price of $23.75. The company had initially been priced at $19 per share for a total valuation of $10 billion. The highly anticipated IPO adds to the slew of successful tech IPOs earlier this year, including Lyft and Zoom (and soon to include Uber). Pinterest believes that going public will bolster its global presence and attract more businesses to connect with their target audiences through its platform.

In Other News

German manufacturer Gebr. Knauf KG has acquired USG Corporation, creating the world’s largest gypsum company. Occidental created an oil industry bidding war for Anadarko Petroleum after responding to Chevron’s $33 billion offer with a $57 billion deal. On the heels of its massive deal with 21st Century Fox last month Disney is now potentially in place to take on even more: Comcast is in talks with Disney regarding ownership of the former’s stake in Hulu.

Disney’s acquisition of Fox assets made it the 60 percent majority stakeholder in Hulu; a deal with Comcast would give it an additional 30 percent.