China’s post-industrial growth era is approaching its limits. Once powered by investment-led booms and labour abundance, the nation now faces a slow but steady transition into a structurally lower-growth economy. The coming decade will challenge assumptions built on two decades of rapid expansion and demand a sharper strategic focus from global businesses operating in China. […]

Foreign companies pursuing a public listing are increasingly choosing U.S. exchanges over their domestic exchange. In the first quarter of 2025, 58% of all U.S. IPOs were launched by foreign issuers[1], and this momentum has continued through the first half of 2025. Foreign companies’ participation has significantly accelerated the U.S. IPO markets, with total proceeds […]

Executive Summary China’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market is entering an exciting new phase, driven by landmark regulatory reforms aimed at fostering strategic, value-driven transactions. With major policies such as the State Council’s new “National Nine” Guidelines, the CSRC’s transformative “M&A Six” Measures, the proactive “2025 Action Plan,” and an expanded “2022 Catalogue,” China is […]

ARC Group acted as the sole financial advisor to BeLive Holdings (the “Company”) in its recent Nasdaq IPO. ARC structured the listing around the core thesis of attracting long-term investors, offering valuable insights into how smaller companies can succeed in volatile capital markets. Uniqueness of BeLive’s Nasdaq Listing On April 4th 2025, two days after […]

Download Click here to download this article as a .pdf document. | Executive Summary Indonesia’s TKDN (Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri – Local Content Level) requirements have evolved from regulatory guidelines into strategic imperatives that determine market access in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. As Indonesia emerges as the primary China+1 manufacturing hub, TKDN compliance represents a […]

As geopolitical pressures, shifting cost structures, and evolving consumer demands reshape the global business landscape, companies are revisiting their China strategies. We sat down with Xi Zhang, Partner at ARC Group and Head of our Management Consulting division, to discuss China’s changing role in global supply chains, the rise of domestic competitors, and how businesses […]

First Generation SPACs (1990s – Early 2000s) The origins of SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) trace back to the 1990s, following a crackdown on fraudulent blank check companies in the 1980s[1]. At the time, broker-dealers exploited unsophisticated investors through manipulative sales tactics in “boiler room” environments, promoting shell companies with the illusion of imminent acquisitions […]

Amid tightening IPO approvals and prolonged exit timelines, private equity (PE) firms and majority shareholders are now reassessing the limitations of traditional listing pathways. From 2023 to date, over 120 companies in A-share and Hong Kong markets have either failed to pass listing hearings or voluntarily withdrawn applications, marking a five-year high.  In the time […]

Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the most dynamic regions for mid-market M&A globally. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are attracting attention from strategic and financial investors due to their economic resilience, favorable demographics, and shifting global supply chains. In this insight, we explore why Southeast Asia is the region to watch in […]

As global dealmaking regains momentum in 2025, cross-border M&A is once again a strategic priority for ambitious corporates, private equity sponsors, and family-owned businesses. Stabilizing regulatory environments, improving capital access, and a renewed appetite for geographic diversification are driving a rebound in international transactions—particularly between Asia and the West. Nowhere is this more evident than […]

Introduction The malting industry stands at a pivotal moment. As an essential link between agriculture and beverage manufacturing, maltsters have spent over a century expanding organically, scaling from family-owned operations to industrial powerhouses. Today, with rising demand from craft brewing, whiskey distillation, and premium food sectors, coupled with mounting pressure for capacity, innovation, and efficiency, […]

To capture how supply-chain leaders are navigating today’s unpredictable trade and geopolitical climate, ARC Group launched the weekly Flash Survey in 2025. This initiative delivers real-time, practitioner-level insights into how companies are responding to tariff volatility, shifting trade blocs, shippinglane disruptions, and tightening sanctions. Each short pulse engages a focused group of supplychain decisionmakers—directors, managers, […]

Global capital markets in 2025 reflects a complex environment. While inflationary pressures have eased and sentiment in the public markets is gradually improving, issuers face a materially different regulatory backdrop. For those preparing to access the public markets, adapting to new listing frameworks and evolving investor expectations has become a critical part of the capital […]

Liberation Day On April 2, 2025, commonly known now as “Liberation Day”, President Trump unveiled a broad tariff proposal that included a 10% universal tariff on all U.S. imports and substantial tariff increases for over 25 major trading partners. Although Trump later announced a 90-day delay on implementing the new tariff policy, the potential increase […]

In April 2025, the U.S. administration announced tariffs on all imported goods, including semiconductor chips, sending ripples through the global technology industry. These trade measures, aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing, have reshaped the global semiconductor landscape, prompting companies to seek stable and cost-effective manufacturing hubs. At the heart of this process lies the Outsourced Semiconductor […]

Download Click here to download this article as a .pdf document. | Executive Summary Spotting Opportunity Where Others See Regulation Indonesia is on the verge of becoming Southeast Asia’s industrial anchor. With USD 256 billion in manufacturing output in 2023, the country contributes ca. 35% of ASEAN’s industrial output – while accounting for ca. 41% […]

A Milestone Marking Ten Years of Growth and Leadership As ARC Group celebrates its 10th anniversary, the firm takes a moment to reflect on a decade filled with growth, innovation, and transformative leadership. One of the key forces driving this success is Crystal Zhang, Managing Partner and Head of Capital Markets, who has played a […]

Download Click here to download this article as a .pdf document. Executive Summary ASEAN is rapidly emerging as a global hotspot for data center investment. While traditional hubs like Singapore face constraints, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are seeing unprecedented investment inflows from major cloud providers, hyperscalers and industrial investors. Key Trends Shaping The Expansion […]

As we are celebrating our 10th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on our remarkable growth and success under the leadership of Abraham Cinta, the firm’s CEO. From a small team of visionaries to a global presence in the investment banking sector, ARC Group has navigated both challenges and market fluctuations to build a […]

As ARC Group reaches its 10-year anniversary, we sat down with President Sergio Camarero to reflect on a journey marked by resilience, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to bridging global markets. In this conversation, he shares insights into the firm’s early challenges, pivotal milestones, and the vision that has shaped ARC Group into what it […]

A SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) is a publicly traded investment vehicle that offers an alternative path for private companies to go public. This investment vehicle raises capital through a public offering with the sole intent of merging with or acquiring an existing private firm. The key advantage of a SPAC is its efficiency — […]

An IPO, or initial public offering, refers to the first time a private firm sells shares of its stock to the public on the stock exchange. This event signifies the company’s shift from private to public ownership, which is why an initial public offering (IPO) is frequently called “going public.” It provides an opportunity for […]