Consolidated Communications’ $3.1 Billion Acquisition by Searchlight and BCI

On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax in connection with the transaction.

On February 17, 2026, Kennedy‑Wilson Holdings, Inc. (“Kennedy Wilson”) and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) jointly announced that Kennedy Wilson has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all cash‑transaction, by an entity affiliated with a consortium led by William McMorrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy Wilson, and certain other senior executives of Kennedy Wilson (collectively, the “KW Management Group”), together with Fairfax (collectively, the “Consortium”).

On February 17, 2026, MTN Group Limited (“MTN”), Africa’s largest mobile network operator, announced that it has entered into an agreement with IHS Holding Limited (“IHS”), one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world, to acquire the remaining shares of IHS not already owned by MTN in an all‑cash transaction at an offer price of $8.50 per IHS share, which implies an enterprise value of $6.2 billion. The structure of the transaction is intended such that, upon completion of IHS’ announced disposals of its Latin American businesses, MTN will acquire 100% of IHS’ African tower portfolio. Following the completion of the transaction, IHS will be de‑listed from the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing MTN in connection with the transaction.

On February 16, 2026, Hapag‑Lloyd signed an agreement with Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (“ZIM”), the world’s 10th largest container shipping line, under which Hapag‑Lloyd will acquire 100% of ZIM’s shares for a consideration of $35 per share in cash. The total transaction value amounts to over $4 billion. As part of the transaction, FIMI Opportunity Funds will take ownership of a carved‑out Israeli container liner business. Cravath is representing Hapag‑Lloyd in connection with the transaction.