M&A Activity

Business

Houlihan Lokey Poised for 2026 Gains as Market Volatility Fuels Demand for M&A and Restructuring Expertise

Amid forecasts of rising economic stress and market volatility in 2026, investment bank Houlihan Lokey (NYSE: HLI) is attracting bullish attention for its dual strength in M&A advisory and corporate restructuring. Analysts point to its defensive positioning and potential to capture outsized gains in a shifting financial landscape.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

A $21 Million Vote of Confidence: Major Fund Bets on Moelis & Company Amid M&A Lull

Capital Management Corp's significant stake increase in investment bank Moelis & Company is being viewed by market observers as a strategic wager on a potential rebound in mergers and acquisitions activity.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Barclays Bullish on 4D Molecular Therapeutics, Sees M&A and Pricing Trends as Key Catalysts

Barclays initiates coverage of 4D Molecular Therapeutics with an Overweight rating and a $33 price target, citing a favorable industry backdrop with potential M&A tailwinds and shifting focus away from drug pricing pressures. The gene therapy developer also outlined key clinical milestones expected through 2026.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

U.S. Drilling Activity Stalls Amid Mixed Signals for Oil and Gas

The U.S. rig count saw a marginal increase this week, yet remains significantly below last year's levels as crude production dips and completions activity sends conflicting signals.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Perella Weinberg Partners Stock Surge Raises Valuation Questions Amid M&A Revival

Shares of the boutique investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners have rallied sharply over the past month, riding a wave of renewed optimism in the advisory sector. However, its premium valuation and mixed long-term performance are prompting investors to weigh the risks against the potential rewards.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Webber Wentzel and Blake Cassels & Graydon Dominate 2025 Mining M&A Legal Advisory Ranks

New data reveals a two-horse race in mining sector legal advisory, with Webber Wentzel leading by total deal value and Blake Cassels & Graydon topping the charts by number of transactions in a year marked by megadeals.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

M&A Market Roars Back to Life: 2026 Poised for Major Deal Surge as Confidence Returns

Fueled by a wave of blockbuster transactions and renewed executive optimism, the global mergers and acquisitions landscape is heating up for a robust 2026. Major consulting firms report a significant shift in sentiment, with U.S. CEOs leading the charge in pursuing strategic deals despite lingering market uncertainties.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Goldman Sachs Lifts Zeta Global Target to $26, Eyes Software M&A Wave on Horizon

Goldman Sachs raises its price target for Zeta Global (ZETA), citing strategic positioning ahead of an expected surge in software sector mergers and acquisitions driven by valuation gaps and synergy potential.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

China's Manufacturing Activity Accelerates in January Amid Export Boost, Structural Headwinds Persist

A private survey reveals China's manufacturing sector gained momentum in January, fueled by pre-holiday production and stronger export orders. However, analysts caution that underlying structural imbalances and uneven regional growth continue to challenge the economic outlook.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Satellite Imagery Reveals Opaque Activity at Key Iranian Nuclear Sites Amid Rising Tensions

New satellite imagery shows Iran constructing roofs over bomb-damaged buildings at its Isfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities, a move analysts say is likely aimed at shielding recovery efforts from surveillance as international pressure mounts over Tehran's internal crackdown and nuclear ambitions.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Latham & Watkins Tops 2025 TMT M&A Legal Rankings, Kirkland & Ellis in Close Pursuit

A new industry report reveals Latham & Watkins advised on a record $370bn in tech, media, and telecom deals last year, narrowly edging out rivals in a highly competitive legal advisory market.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Gallagher Posts Strong Q4 Growth, Eyes M&A Expansion Amid Stable Casualty Market

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. reported robust revenue growth exceeding 30% for the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by a healthy mergers and acquisitions pipeline and resilient performance in key sectors. Leadership expressed confidence in navigating a softening property insurance market while maintaining stable casualty pricing and talent retention.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

PagerDuty: A Deep Value Play Amidst Strategic Pivot and M&A Rumors

Once a high-flying SaaS leader, PagerDuty now trades near historic lows despite its critical role in digital operations. As the company navigates a painful pricing model transition, improving fundamentals and persistent takeover speculation present a compelling bull case for patient investors.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

TD Cowen Trims Price Target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Maintains Buy Rating Amid Shifting Investor Focus

Analyst Jason Seidl lowered CP's target to C$112 from C$116, citing reasonable valuation post-KCS merger but noting headwinds from negative estimate revisions and investor capital flowing toward U.S. rail M&A opportunities.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Bank of America Lifts Target on Xencor Amid Broader Biotech Sector Optimism

Bank of America has raised its price target for clinical-stage biopharma firm Xencor (XNCR), highlighting a cautiously improving landscape for the sector driven by data catalysts, M&A, and capital access.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Interactive Brokers Rides Market Momentum as Key Metrics Surge in January

Shares of the electronic brokerage firm edged higher after reporting strong monthly performance figures, fueled by a sustained rally in U.S. securities trading and significant growth in client activity.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Markets Rebound on Strong Manufacturing Data; Micron Surges Amid AI Investment Scrutiny

U.S. equities found firmer ground Tuesday, buoyed by a robust factory activity report. The rally unfolded as investors grow increasingly discerning about AI-related capital expenditures, creating clear winners and losers.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Crypto Exchange Stocks Tumble 60% Amid Trading Volume Collapse

Shares of major cryptocurrency exchanges have plummeted as much as 60% over the past quarter, mirroring a dramatic evaporation of trading activity on their platforms. Analysts are divided on whether this signals a market bottom or the start of a more severe downturn for the digital asset sector.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Robinhood Shares Tumble as Crypto Slump Tests Broker's Core Revenue Model

Robinhood Markets saw its stock plunge nearly 10% on Monday, underperforming broader markets and financial sector peers, as a sharp downturn in Bitcoin and fading retail crypto trading activity sparked investor concerns over its transaction-dependent revenue streams.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The $10 Million-Plus Home Market Defies Gravity as Broader Housing Slows

A new report reveals a stark divergence in the U.S. housing market: while high rates cool mainstream activity, ultra-luxury sales above $10 million surged to a record $38.6 billion in 2025, driven by new wealth creation and a flight to tangible assets.

Feb 2, 2026