Pacific Avenue Capital Acquires Oldcastle Lawn & Garden from CRH for Over $1.1B
Pacific Avenue Capital Partners announced that an affiliate of Pacific Avenue has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Oldcastle Lawn & Garden from CRH in a transaction valued at over $1.1B. Upon closing, the business will operate under its new name, GardenCore, marking the beginning of its next chapter as a standalone company. The company said, "GardenCore is a leading U.S. manufacturer of lawn and garden consumables, offering a broad portfolio of mulch, soil, stone, and lime products. The Company has deep, long-standing partnerships with major home improvement retailers and garden centers, and delivers consistent, high-quality execution across large-scale private label and branded programs. The Company has over 1,400 employees and operates more than 55 manufacturing facilities across the United States. The acquisition of newly branded GardenCore is the latest example of Pacific Avenue's ability to effectively and seamlessly execute complex carve-outs of scale across a wide variety of industries. Under Pacific Avenue's ownership, GardenCore will focus its efforts on expanding its geographic footprint through greenfield development and acquisitions, while investing in its premium product lines to drive growth." The transaction is expected to close in early May 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
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- Board Dismissal: BP's board announced the removal of Albert Manifold due to 'serious concerns' regarding governance standards and oversight, highlighting the company's urgency in addressing internal management issues amidst a strategic reset.
- Management Turmoil: Manifold's tenure lasted only eight months, marked by aggressive interactions with colleagues, reflecting internal challenges BP faces as it pivots back to traditional oil and gas amid a broader transformation.
- Shareholder Rebellion: Prior to his dismissal, 81.8% of shareholders supported Manifold's re-election at BP's annual general meeting, indicating significant investor dissatisfaction and concerns over the company's governance and future direction.
- Interim Leadership: BP appointed Ian Tyler as interim chair and initiated a succession process for a permanent chair, demonstrating the company's urgent need to stabilize its governance structure in light of the ongoing strategic transition and shareholder trust issues.
- Chairman Dismissal: BP's board announced the removal of Albert Manifold due to 'serious concerns' regarding governance standards and conduct, with his tenure lasting only seven months, highlighting vulnerabilities in the company's governance structure.
- Governance Issues Exposed: Allegations of aggressive behavior towards colleagues during Manifold's tenure have surfaced, raising significant questions about BP's corporate governance, which could potentially undermine investor confidence moving forward.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the dismissal announcement, BP's London-listed shares fell by 1.7% on Wednesday morning, reflecting market concerns over governance issues that may negatively impact future performance.
- Manifold's Response: In his statement, Manifold denied the allegations against his conduct and emphasized his commitment to driving change at BP, indicating that the divergence with the board could lead to internal instability within the company.
- Share Sale Details: III Capital Management sold 255,860 shares of Driven Brands in Q1 2026 for an estimated $3.60 million, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance despite a 6% year-over-year revenue growth.
- Shareholder Value Decline: The sale resulted in a $3.96 million decrease in the value of III's Driven Brands stake, reflecting a 22% drop in the stock price over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 28% gain, suggesting a lack of market confidence in the company.
- Financial Performance Overview: Driven Brands reported $1.86 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025 with an adjusted EBITDA of $449 million, yet it faced a net loss of $140.2 million, highlighting ongoing challenges in profitability despite revenue growth.
- Future Outlook and Growth Potential: Management anticipates same-store sales growth of 4.3% to 4.5% for Take 5 in Q1 2026 and forecasts up to $145 million in free cash flow for the year, although the company must demonstrate improved financial transparency and execution to regain investor confidence.
- Portfolio Expansion: Third Point made significant additions in Q1, initiating positions in tech and semiconductor firms like ASML, Lam Research, and KLA, reflecting a strong commitment to the AI trade and enhancing its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
- Emerging Investments: The hedge fund also disclosed new stakes in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF and aircraft parts supplier TransDigm Group, indicating confidence in the semiconductor sector, particularly amid rising AI-driven market demand.
- Bitcoin Mining Positioning: Third Point increased its investment in Hut 8, a Miami-based energy infrastructure and bitcoin mining company, whose shares have more than doubled in 2026, highlighting investor interest in AI-related power demand and data center infrastructure opportunities.
- Position Adjustments: While Third Point reduced its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor by 35%, Amazon remains its largest equity holding, demonstrating confidence in the company's long-term growth potential despite a 10% reduction during the quarter.
- New Investment Positions: Baupost Group's latest 13F filing reveals new investments in Aon, Norwegian Cruise Line, and DNOW, indicating confidence in their growth potential and market positioning.
- Increased Stakes in Americold and Amazon: The fund boosted its stake in Americold Realty Trust from 3.48 million shares to 7.78 million shares, valued at $89.2 million, and increased its Amazon holdings from 1.09 million shares to 3.12 million shares, valued at $649 million, reflecting a strong bullish outlook on both companies.
- Reduced Holdings in Liberty Global and Willis Towers Watson: Baupost decreased its stake in Liberty Global to 13.4 million shares, valued at $157 million, and reduced its Willis Towers Watson holdings to 893,000 shares, valued at $259.6 million, indicating a cautious stance towards these investments.
- Current Holdings Valuation: Baupost now holds 769,000 shares of Aon valued at $248.2 million, 3.63 million shares of Norwegian Cruise Line valued at $67.9 million, and 3.63 million shares of DNOW valued at $43.2 million, showcasing a strategic diversification in its investment portfolio.
- Executive Change: CRH announced the appointment of Aylwyn Bryan as the new CFO, succeeding Nancy Buese, who stepped down by mutual agreement; Bryan has 14 years of experience at CRH, most recently serving as CFO of the Americas division, which is expected to enhance financial leadership.
- Transition Support: Nancy Buese will remain with the company for three months to assist in the leadership transition, ensuring stability in financial reporting and operations, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with executive turnover.
- Financial Outlook: CRH forecasts adjusted EBITDA of $8.1 billion to $8.5 billion for 2026, reflecting strong performance in M&A activity and margin expansion, indicating the company's competitiveness and growth potential in the industry.
- Strategic Investment: CRH is advancing a $700 million Axius Water deal, further strengthening its market position and indicating a strategic focus on water resource management, aiming for long-term growth through acquisitions.











