Data Center Deals & Changing Consumer Habits | Bloomberg Deals 7/29/2026

Summary

Bloomberg Deals covers Paramount's stalled merger and potential billions in costs, the AI infrastructure financing boom with Stonepeak CEO Mike Dorrell, SpaceX and Tesla merger rumors, consumer brand investment theses from a panel, and De Beers' potential fire sale at a reduced valuation.

• Paramount-Skydance deal paused, Ellison family faces up to $10 billion in costs including a $7 billion termination fee.
• Data center M&A accelerates as Koch explores sale of EDGED; private capital floods into AI infrastructure.
• Stonepeak CEO Mike Dorrell says Google and Meta are survivors in AI, Nvidia's circular financing creates a bigger marketplace for its chips.
• SpaceX shares slide as lockup expires; analyst speculates Tesla could be an attractive takeover target for SpaceX at $480.
• Consumer investors favor health, wellness, and protein-focused brands; panelists see a barbell shaped market with premium and value doing well.
• Liverpool FC's CEO confirms interest from a consortium for a strategic minority stake, focuses on digital growth and sustainable operations.
• FIFA's plan to raise $4.2 billion through a for-profit arm faces UEFA boycott threats and EU competition concerns.
• De Beers may be sold by Anglo American for around $1 billion, a steep drop from its $13 billion acquisition price due to lab-grown diamond disruption.