Deal Professor: Dealbook’s excellent deals analyst, Steven Davidoff, has published an excerpt from this book: “Gods at War: Shotgun Takeovers, Government by Deal and the Private Equity Implosion.” (Dealbook)
PE turns Gunslingers: Private-equity firms probably would like to forget the biggest leveraged buyouts from the boom. But buying the debt behind those deals has worked out a little better. (Heard on the Street)
The Future of Ratings Agencies: Activist hedge fund investor William Ackman said on Monday that credit rating agencies should face more liability for their actions. “They won’t be as profitable, but they’ll be a lot more careful,” Ackman. (Reuters)
Better Burgers: Recent dealmaking indicates middle-market private equity firms are hungry for burger chains. (Dealscape)
The Lehman Diaspora: Where Some of Lehman’s Top Deal Makers Went (Deal Journal)
Union Leader Andy Stern on the Future of Big Labor: Maria Bartiromo talks to SEIU head Andy Stern about health-care reform, President Obama, and a labor movement in need of change (BusinessWeek)
Auctions! Yesterday it was a “may” but today it is confirmed-THL Partners and Providence have bid for Travel Channel. (Reuters)
PE on CNBC: If you can stand to watch CNBC, here’s a quick bit on the Private Equity Analyst conference I’ve been at. (CNBC)
More PEA Conference Coverage: I liveblogged it yesterday, but Sabrina Willmer has even more details on the way PE firms are watching Washington very closely on a number of issues. (WSJ)