JPMorgan near $3.5 bn deal to buy French cooling operator Idex

JPMorgan Chase is close to acquiring France's Idex, a cooling‑network operator, for more than $3.5 billion. The deal comes as Europe faces severe heatwaves and a rising demand for large‑scale cooling infrastructure. Acquiring Idex would expand JPMorgan's footprint in the continent and position it in the emerging climate‑tech market. Analysts say the transaction underscores the growing commercial importance of cooling solutions amid climate challenges.