Good morning,

Please enjoy this week’s edition of the Event-Driven Edge newsletter- the most comprehensive weekly recap of event-driven and thematic activity in the US stock market. In the ‘What’s On ListingTrack’ section, you’ll also find a free spreadsheet download that includes:

  • Public AI tracker, which maps listed AI names across categories, from infrastructure and foundation models to specialized software.

  • Active SPACs spreadsheet, with announced targets tagged by relevant market themes like nuclear, quantum, and AI.

Note: To access the source material/ articles for any bullet below, you can click on the link of each company name to be routed to the company page on ListingTrack.io where you can find our Curated Feed, which has links to all the source articles (for Pro users only). The company page also features the latest mergers associated with that company (rumored/potential, announced, closed) for quick discovery of the company’s key deal activity.

We welcome feedback on this newsletter and sponsorship opportunities at [email protected].

Thanks,

Nick

Market Performance & News

This week, U.S. markets powered to fresh all-time highs, scoring a third consecutive week of gains as the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all closed at records. The Nasdaq led with a 2.21% weekly gain, while the Russell 2000 jumped 2.14%, its best move in years, and the S&P 500 advanced 1.22%. Investors cheered the Fed’s first rate cut of 2025, interpreting Powell's dovish-but-cautious message as a green light for risk-taking.

A historic milestone arrived as the Russell 2000 ended its 967-session drought without a new high, closing out the week at a record level for the first time since November 2021, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The surge in small-cap stocks signaled renewed confidence in cyclicals and domestically focused companies, with small caps finally breaking out along with the larger indexes.

After the close on Friday, the market was caught off guard by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' abrupt postponement of the annual Consumer Expenditure data release, a key input for inflation metrics and index weightings, citing operational constraints and offering no new timetable.

Index Price Weekly Chg % YTD Chg %
S&P 5006664.371.22%13.31%
Nasdaq Composite22631.47642.21%17.20%
Dow Jones Industrial Average46315.281.05%8.86%
CBOE Volatility Index15.454.67%-10.95%
Russell 20002448.43512.14%9.79%
10-year Treasury Yield0.041391.95%-9.49%
Gold3719.41.05%40.83%

Other Market News

  • President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that U.S. companies should only be required to report earnings every six months instead of quarterly, reviving an idea he floated during his first term; Trump argued the change would reduce costs and free managers to focus on running businesses rather than meeting near-term targets. While the SEC under current leadership has shown openness to reducing regulatory burdens, investors who value the transparency of frequent reporting are likely to push back, noting that quarterly reports and earnings calls provide timely insight critical for decision-making. Any reform would require a formal SEC rulemaking process, including a public comment period.

Earnings & Major Events Next Week

Prominent Earnings to Watch:

  • AutoZone (AZO -4.21% Wkly, $69.26B MC) — Tue, Sep 23, before market open.

    • Consensus expects quarterly EPS of about $51.00–$51.23 (~flat YoY), with revenue projected around $6.23–$6.25 billion. Analysts focus on modest sales growth, margin compression, and competitive pricing as cost pressures and freight tariffs weigh on profitability. Investors will watch commentary on DIY vs. commercial trends and regional same-store sales performance.

  • Micron Technology (MU 3.50% Wkly, $182.12B MC) — Tue, Sep 23, after market close.

    • Analysts expect results to reflect improving memory chip pricing and accelerating demand recovery in the AI and data center segment. Forecasts focus on adjusted EPS trends, revenue inflection, and management's outlook for the upcoming quarter as tech supply chains stabilize.

  • Cintas (CTAS -1.11% Wkly, $80.64B MC) — Wed, Sep 24, before market open.

    • Consensus calls for steady earnings growth driven by resilient service demand and ongoing wage increases. Key attention will be on margins as the company manages higher labor costs and inflationary pressures in the business services sector.

  • CarMax (KMX -2.24% Wkly, $8.77B MC) — Thu, Sep 25, before market open.

    • Consensus expects continued margin pressure as used vehicle affordability remains challenged by high interest rates and consumer caution. Analysts will focus on trends in unit volumes, gross margin per vehicle, and indications on loan delinquencies or credit tightening. Investors are looking for signs of stabilization in sales and any commentary on demand for late-model used cars and expansion of CarMax’s digital capabilities.

  • Accenture (ACN 0.49% Wkly, $149.30B MC) — Thu, Sep 25, before market open.

    • Analysts project steady revenue and EPS growth led by demand for digital transformation, cloud migration, and AI consulting. Attention will be on new bookings, growth in North America versus Europe, and commentary on enterprise tech budgets. Key metrics include consulting vs. outsourcing mix and margin outlook amid ongoing cost discipline.

  • Costco (COST -1.73% Wkly, $421.82B MC) — Thu, Sep 25, after market close.

    • Consensus anticipates healthy same-store sales gains and continued membership renewal strength, with margins monitored for pressures from supply chain and labor costs. Investors will assess traffic trends, inflation’s impact on basket size, and any updates on strategic expansion or membership fee increases. Guidance on high-margin product categories and digital growth will be in focus.

All Earnings Above $5B Market Cap:

Date Ticker Name Pre / Post Mkt EPS Est.
Tue, Sep 23AZOAutoZonePre$51.13
Tue, Sep 23MUMicron TechnologyPost$2.87
Wed, Sep 24CTASCintas CorporationPre$1.19
Wed, Sep 24THOThor IndustriesPre$1.16
Thu, Sep 25COSTCostco Wholesale Cor...Post$5.79
Thu, Sep 25KMXCarMaxPre$1.04
Thu, Sep 25SNXTD SYNNEX Corporatio...Pre$3.00
Thu, Sep 25UECUranium EnergyPre$-0.03
Thu, Sep 25ACNAccenture plcPre$2.98
Thu, Sep 25JBLJabilPre$2.95

IPOs & Other Public Listing Recap

IPO/ Listing Action

Past week

This week, there were 11 listings:

  • 6 Traditional IPOs led by Platinum Analytics (PLTS), Netskope (NTSK), and ChowChow Cloud (CHOW)

  • 2 SPAC IPOs, 2 Reverse Mergers, and 1 Uplisting

See more: Latest Listings

Checking in on the last 6 listings above $2B market cap:

Expected IPOs Next Week

Industry/Theme Recap

AI, Deep Tech (Robotics, Quantum, Nuclear), Aerospace/Defense, Consumer, Crypto, Energy/Materials/Industrials, Financials/Real Estate, Healthcare, Logistics/Transport/Automotive, Media/Telecom

AI

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Boost Run, a provider of AI cloud infrastructure and HPC solutions, entered a definitive agreement to merge with SPAC Willow Lane Acquisition (WLAC), a SPAC, in a deal valuing the combined company at $614M post-money; the transaction, expected to close in Q4 2025, assumes receipt of over $112M from Willow Lane’s trust account, subject to redemptions, with both boards unanimously approving the merger that will take Boost Run public.

  • MBody AI and Check-Cap (CHEK) entered a reverse merger agreement, forming a combined company focused on embodied AI for autonomous workforces. Upon closing, MBody AI equityholders will own 90% and Check-Cap shareholders 10% of the ordinary shares, with Check-Cap's R&D continuing. Check-Cap and Apollo Technology Capital terminated their prior agreement.

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • FuriosaAI, an AI chip startup, plans to raise over $300M in a Series D pre-IPO round by January 2026 to fund its third-generation AI chip development, aiming for a 2027 listing. The company, founded in 2017, develops AI inferencing chips, including its RNGD processor, which reportedly outperforms Nvidia GPUs. This year, FuriosaAI raised $125M and declined an $800M takeover offer from Meta Platforms.

  • Nothing, the smartphone startup founded by OnePlus -founder Carl Pei, closed a $200M Series C round led by Tiger Global at a $1.3B valuation, with participation from GV, Highland Europe, EQT, Latitude, I2BF, Tapestry, Qualcomm Ventures, and Nikhil Kamath; the raise brings total funding to over $450M as the company, which surpassed $1B in cumulative sales in early 2025 after 150% growth in 2024, plans an additional community funding round.

  • CodeRabbit secured a $60M Series B, led by Scale Venture Partners, raising total funding to $88M. The company offers AI-powered code review tools for correctness, security, and policy enforcement, and supports the merge cycle. They also launched CodeRabbit CLI, which integrates with AI coding agents like Claude Code, Codex CLI, Cursor CLI, and Gemini.

  • Groq, an AI inference company, raised $750 million at a $6.9 billion valuation in a round led by Disruptive, with participation from BlackRock, Neuberger Berman, Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners, a major U.S. mutual fund, and returning investors including Samsung and Cisco. The company, which powers over two million developers and Fortune 500 clients, will use the capital to expand its global footprint beyond existing data centers in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

  • Irregular (formerly Pattern Labs), an AI security lab, raised $80M led by Sequoia Capital and Redpoint Ventures, with participation from Swish Ventures and angels like Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport and Eon CEO Ofir Ehrlich. The company, with millions in annual revenue, partners with OpenAI and Anthropic to assess and build defenses against risks in next-gen AI models, such as antivirus evasions and autonomous offensive actions, before deployment.

  • xAI (Contested by Elon): Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, has reportedly raised funding at a $200B valuation in a deal exceeding $10B with participation from Valor Capital, Qatar Investment Authority, and Prince Al Waleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding , according to people familiar with the matter; in parallel, the company is pursuing $3.5B in debt financing for data center expansion, though Musk publicly denied that xAI is raising capital at this time.

Other Industry Activity:

  • CoreWeave (CRWV 11.52% Wkly, $61.82B MC): Short seller Kerrisdale Capital published a report targeting CoreWeave (CRWV) titled 'Artificial Returns'.

  • Sana Labs: Workday will acquire Sana, an enterprise AI knowledge tools developer, for ~$1.1B, with the deal expected to close by January 31, 2026. This acquisition will integrate Sana into Workday's platform, unifying knowledge, data, action, and learning. This follows broader HCM sector consolidation, including Thoma Bravo's acquisition of Dayforce, Paychex's acquisition of Paycor, and ADP's acquisition of WorkForce Software. (Deal Page)

  • Nscale: Microsoft announced a $30B investment in the UK from 2025 to 2028 to expand AI infrastructure and build the country’s largest supercomputer, including $15B in capex for cloud and AI facilities; the system, developed in partnership with British startup Nscale, will feature over 23,000 advanced GPUs for AI development.

  • NVIDIA (NVDA -0.65% Wkly, $4.30T MC): China’s Cyberspace Administration ordered firms including Alibaba and ByteDance to cancel orders and stop testing Nvidia’s RTX Pro 6000D, a chip designed to bypass U.S. export restrictions, according to the Financial Times; the move escalates Beijing’s push to curb reliance on U.S. accelerators after previously discouraging use of Nvidia’s H20, and follows China’s recent antitrust ruling against Nvidia’s $7B Mellanox acquisition and a new antidumping probe into U.S. semiconductors, as trade negotiations intensify ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping.

  • Google (GOOG 5.74% Wkly, $3.09T MC): Google is rolling out its Gemini AI model to U.S. Chrome browser users, adding features like explaining web pages, summarizing multiple tabs, and reopening recently closed sites. Gemini in Chrome will also integrate with Google apps such as Calendar, YouTube, and Maps, as Alphabet embeds its AI model across its product suite after avoiding an antitrust breakup case.

  • NVIDIA (NVDA -0.65% Wkly, $4.30T MC): NVIDIA and Intel announced a strategic collaboration to develop custom data center and PC products. The partnership combines NVIDIA’s AI and accelerated computing with Intel’s CPU and x86 ecosystem via NVIDIA NVLink. Intel will build NVIDIA-custom x86 CPUs and x86 system-on-chips with NVIDIA RTX GPU chiplets. NVIDIA will invest $5B in Intel common stock at $23.28 per share, pending regulatory approvals.

  • Oracle (ORCL 5.64% Wkly, $865.89B MC): Oracle is reportedly in advanced talks with Meta Platforms for a cloud computing deal worth about $20B, providing AI training and deployment capacity. This potential agreement, which could still change, would follow Oracle's recent cloud wins, including a significant contract with OpenAI, solidifying its position as a key AI infrastructure provider against competitors like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. However, investors are concerned about Oracle's dependence on a few large clients.

  • Microsoft (MSFT 1.57% Wkly, $3.85T MC): Microsoft is investing $4B in a second hyperscale data center in Wisconsin, adding to a $3.3B facility opening in early 2026. The first site will use Nvidia Blackwell GB200 GPUs and draw partial power from a 250 MW solar farm. Built on former Foxconn land, it will use 2.8M gallons of water annually, far less than Foxconn's permit. The second comparable data center is expected online in 2027 or later.

THE CONVERSATION

Deep Tech (Robotics, Quantum, ++)

Live Coverage: Quantum theme page

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • Dyna Robotics closed a $120M Series A, following a $23.5M seed raise. The company launched its DYNA-1 robotics foundation model, achieving 99%+ success and daily deployment of robots for up to 16 hours in hotels, restaurants, laundromats, and gyms. The new capital will be used to expand R&D and accelerate development of next-generation general-purpose robots.

  • Figure, an AI robotics company developing autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots, raised over $1B in Series C financing at a $39B post-money valuation to accelerate large-scale deployment, with the round led by Parkway Venture Capital and participation from Brookfield Asset Management, NVIDIA, Macquarie Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, Tamarack Global, LG Technology Ventures, Salesforce, T-Mobile Ventures, and Qualcomm Ventures.

  • Colossal Biosciences achieved major milestones in its dodo de-extinction project, including growing pigeon primordial germ cells and creating gene-edited chickens. The company also secured an additional $120M, bringing its Series C to $320M and total funding to over $555M, with a valuation of $10.32B. They also established a Mauritius Dodo Advisory Committee for conservation and rewilding efforts.

Other Industry Activity:

  • IonQ (IONQ 26.61% Wkly, $20.90B MC): IonQ acquired UK-based Oxford Ionics, accelerating its quantum computing roadmap. This strategic move brings top scientists, engineers, and patented trapped ion quantum systems to IonQ, complementing existing tech and enabling more powerful, scalable systems using standard semiconductor chips. The acquisition also establishes IonQ's new UK operations, supporting expansion into the UK, Europe, and Asia, and fostering future collaborations.

What’s On ListingTrack

SPOTLIGHT: Core AI Theme Hub — The Ultimate Resource for AI Stock Performance, IPOs, M&A, & Emerging Startups

Explore our most popular theme page: AI! This is your go-to resource to track the movers, deals, and data that define the future of AI across public and private companies.

  • 67+ AI-related public companies: spanning foundation models, AI infrastructure (chips, data centers), and specialized applications in healthcare, industrial, and consumer sectors.

  • Live M&A and IPO Watch: Track current, announced, and rumored mergers—including Databricks’ latest acquisition, Workday’s newest platform addition, and more.

  • Financial Snapshots: Real-time stock performance, market cap trends, and sector averages (YTD avg: 41.9%, 1-year avg: 89.9%!) updated daily.

  • Curated AI News: Featuring the latest breakthroughs and deal headlines

Consumer & Retail

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Pattern (PTRN 11.6% Wkly, $3.09B MC): Pattern Group (PTRN), founded in 2013 as iServe Products by David Wright and Melanie Alder, is a Utah-based e-commerce accelerator and Amazon reseller. It raised $300M in its IPO at $14 per share, valuing the company at ~$2.5B, with shares closing up 11% at $15.63. Pattern helps over 200 brands, including Nestlé, Panasonic, and Skechers, optimize marketplace sales across Amazon, Walmart, Target, and TikTok Shop.

  • The Magnum Ice Cream Company: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned after 47 years, citing Unilever's stifling of the brand's social activism. This comes as Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream division, Magnum Ice Cream Company. Greenfield and co-founder Ben Cohen are pushing to buy back Ben & Jerry’s, despite Unilever and Magnum stating it's not for sale. Cohen has protested Magnum's investor events to highlight their campaign.

  • Strava, a San Francisco-based fitness tracking app with over 150M users, is preparing for a potential U.S. IPO as early as 2026. They have invited Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley to pitch for underwriting roles. The company was last valued at $2.2B in May 2025 in a round led by Sequoia Capital, Square Ventures, TCV, and Go4it Capital Partners. Fundraising targets and valuation for the offering have not been finalized.

  • Versant Media Group: Comcast's Versant, a spinoff of its NBCUniversal cable networks (including USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel), is preparing a Nasdaq IPO under the ticker VSNT. In 2024, it reported $7B in revenue and $1.4B in net income, both down due to cord-cutting and weaker ad spending. Comcast created Versant to separate declining cable assets from more profitable broadband and streaming businesses, aiming for Versant to adapt legacy networks for a streaming-first media landscape.

  • Yesway, a Fort Worth-based convenience store operator, is reviving IPO plans after withdrawing in 2022. The company is working with Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs on a Nasdaq listing that could raise about $300 million as soon as late 2025 or early 2026. Founded in 2015, Yesway has grown to over 440 convenience stores across nine states, reflecting aggressive expansion.

  • Caliber Holdings: Caliber, the Texas-based auto collision repair firm backed by Hellman & Friedman, plans a potential IPO as soon as 2026. Working with Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan as underwriters, Caliber confidentially filed with the SEC in July. The IPO could raise several hundred million dollars, with final details and additional banks still under deliberation.

Public M&A:

  • Vasta Platform (VSTA 8.83% Wkly, $395.91M MC): Cogna Educação S.A. launched a tender offer to acquire the remaining 15,970,992 Class A common shares of its subsidiary Vasta Platform (VSTA) at $5.00 per share, totaling up to $79.9M. Cogna already owns 97.6% of Vasta's capital. The offer, approved by Cogna's board, expires October 15, 2025. If successful, Vasta will delist from NASDAQ and deregister with the SEC. (Deal Page)

  • Performance Food Group Co. (PFGC -0.35% Wkly, $16.50B MC): Performance Food Group (PFGC) and US Foods Holding (USFD) are exploring a potential merger to create a $100B food distribution company. They are currently assessing regulatory hurdles and cost synergies, though a deal is not guaranteed. This follows prior reports of US Foods' acquisition pursuit and activist investor Sachem Head Capital's push for a combination. (Deal Page)

  • AOL: Apollo Global Management (APO) is exploring a potential sale of AOL after receiving inbound interest, with discussions valuing the business around $1.5B; Apollo acquired AOL in 2021 as part of a $5B purchase of AOL and Yahoo from Verizon, and AOL now generates about $400M in annual EBITDA from its internet privacy software, AOL.com website, and email services. (Deal Page)

Other Industry Activity

  • TikTok US: The U.S. and China are finalizing a framework under which TikTok’s U.S. business would be operated by a new American entity controlled 80% by investors including Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and existing ByteDance backers such as Susquehanna International, KKR, and General Atlantic, with ByteDance’s Chinese shareholders reduced to just under 20% to comply with U.S. law; the new company would have a U.S.-dominated board including one government-appointed director, while Oracle would manage U.S. user data in Texas, and ByteDance would license its content-recommendation algorithms for a recreated U.S. app that existing users would migrate to, with the deal still subject to national-security review on both sides. (Deal Page)

  • DraftKings (DKNG -1.21% Wkly, $21.57B MC): Short report publisher Bear Cave released a report targeting DraftKings (DKNG) titled 'Problems at DraftKings'.

  • Cracker Barrel (CBRL -14.99% Wkly, $968.65M MC): Activist investor Sardar Biglari has launched his eighth proxy fight at Cracker Barrel, challenging the re-election of CEO Julie Felss Masino and director Gilbert Dávila after a failed rebranding that briefly removed the company’s logo. Biglari, who owns 2.9% of shares and also runs Steak ’n Shake, blames Masino's leadership for Cracker Barrel's struggles and urges shareholders to reject bylaw changes limiting proxy contests. Cracker Barrel acknowledges the branding backlash has hurt customer traffic and will depress diner counts through year-end.

THE CONVERSATION:

Crypto

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • BitGo, a crypto custody startup founded in 2013, has filed for a U.S. IPO after revenue quadrupled in the first half of 2025. This comes amid increased investor interest in digital asset listings, following strong debuts from Circle, Bullish, and Figure. BitGo is a leading U.S. crypto custodian, providing vital storage and security services for digital assets. Its planned IPO signifies growing mainstream acceptance of the crypto sector, supported by recent regulatory advancements.

Energy, Materials, and Industrials

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Blue Water III (BLUW 0.10% Wkly, $322.76M MC): SPAC Blue Water III's (BLUW) request to delay the final sale hearing in the Delaware court-ordered auction of Citgo Petroleum’s parent was denied, after the SPAC submitted a $10B bid that included a $3.2B settlement proposal to holders of a defaulted Venezuelan bond but was filed after the bidding deadlines had passed.

  • WaterBridge (WBI 15.4% Wkly, $779.76M MC): WaterBridge Infrastructure (WBI) priced its upsized $634 million IPO at $20 per share. Est. market cap at IPO of $2374 million. Lead Left underwriter: J.P. Morgan.

  • Solstice Advanced Materials: Honeywell International ’s specialty-materials unit, Solstice Advanced Materials, which is being spun off in Q4 2025, raised $2B through debt markets, issuing $1B in high-yield notes at 5.625% and a $1B leveraged loan priced at SOFR + 1.75% (~6.25%); proceeds will primarily fund a distribution to Honeywell with any remainder for general corporate purposes.

  • Anfield Energy (AEC 1.29% Wkly, $110.93M MC): Anfield Energy (AEC) received Nasdaq Capital Market approval, with trading starting September 18, 2025, under ticker "AEC." Shares will cease OTCQB trading but remain on TSX-V. This uplisting aims to boost visibility and investor access for Anfield's U.S. uranium and vanadium assets, including the Shootaring Canyon mill and mine development projects.

  • Aptiv (APTV 3.01% Wkly, $18.57B MC): Aptiv is considering a $5 billion sale of its electrical distribution systems (EDS) unit, despite earlier plans for a spinoff. The company is contacting potential buyers, including strategic acquirers and private equity firms, but the spinoff is still an option. EDS provides electrical architectures for automotive and commercial vehicles. Aptiv's shares have increased over 35% since the January spinoff announcement, reaching an $18.5 billion market capitalization.

  • Qnity Electronics: DuPont will spin off its electronics business, Qnity Electronics, on November 1, 2025, and report it as discontinued operations from Q4 2025. This separation is subject to various approvals. Simultaneously, DuPont's Aramids business divestiture to Arclin for $1.8B (cash, note, equity) will be treated as discontinued operations from Q3 2025, with closing expected in Q1 2026. These moves aim to streamline DuPont's portfolio into "New DuPont" for enhanced financial flexibility and long-term value.

Public M&A:

  • Berry bry (BRY 17.82% Wkly, $302.65M MC): California Resources (CRC) and Berry (BRY) have agreed to an all-stock merger, valuing Berry at ~$717M including net debt. Berry shareholders will get 0.0718 CRC shares per BRY share, a 15% premium. CRC shareholders will own ~94% of the combined company, which has an implied enterprise value over $6B. CRC plans to refinance Berry's debt. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026. (Deal Page)

  • Perma-Pipe International (PPIH -23.10% Wkly, $190.45M MC): Perma-Pipe International announced it has initiated a strategic review to explore alternatives including continued execution of its business plan, a tax-efficient sale of one or more divisions, or a sale of the entire company, with the board authorizing the process to address the gap between its market valuation and sum-of-the-parts value while outside advisors assist in evaluating options. (Deal Page)

  • Teck Resources (TECK -6.33% Wkly, $18.89B MC): Teck Resources and Anglo American’s $53 billion merger is currently under review by Canada's federal government. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced a "net benefit" test to assess if the deal serves Canada's national interests, considering economic impact, jobs, and natural resources. If approved, this merger would be a major mining combination, creating a global powerhouse. (Deal Page)

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • Divergent Technologies closed a $290M Series E round at a $2.3B valuation ($250M equity, $40M debt led by Rochefort Asset Management) to expand its Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS). Founded in 2014, Divergent's revenue grew over 5x in 2025, now supplying 600+ parts across automotive, aerospace, and defense to clients like Aston Martin, Bugatti, McLaren, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Triumph Group.

Other Industry Activity:

  • Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC 4.04% Wkly, $5.49B MC): Short seller Spruce Point Capital Management published a report targeting Uranium Energy (UEC) titled 'Uranium Gold or Dirt?'.

NEW URANIUM LISTING

Anfield Energy (AEC 1.29% Wkly, $110.93M MC) uplisted to NASDAQ on Thursday, Sep 18, and is one of three U.S.-listed uranium equities with direct ownership of a fully licensed conventional mill. Its Shootaring Canyon facility in Utah is licensed for 1 million lbs U₃O₈ per year, with an application pending to expand to 3 million lbs and a restart targeted for 2026. Comparing Anfield to its peers using a simple heuristic screen, licensed throughput-to-market cap shows Anfield at about 10 lbs per $1,000 of market cap (based on ~$100M market value), compared with 3.8–4.0 lbs for Energy Fuels’ (UUUU) White Mesa Mill (~8M lbs; $3.43B market cap) and 0.7–0.8 lbs for Uranium Energy Corp’s (UEC) Sweetwater Mill (~4M lbs; $5.49B market cap). Additionally, as of June, Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) owns ~32% of Anfield (AEC).

The nuclear Executive Order signed on May 22, 2025, required the Department of Energy to deliver a national uranium enrichment plan within 120 days (Sep 19, 2025), which is currently still pending. Year-to-date, uranium equities tracked in this set have gained an average of 79%, with a 127% average gain over the past year.

Enterprise Software, Cybersecurity

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Netskope (NTSK 30% Wkly, $1.18B MC): Netskope surged 18% in its debut after raising $908.2M in its IPO priced at $19 per share, closing at $22.49 and giving the Santa Clara–based cybersecurity firm a market value of $8.6B. Founded in 2012, Netskope offers its cloud-native Netskope One platform, which leverages AI to secure data and defend against cyber threats, serving customers including Colgate-Palmolive, Home Depot, and Bayer.

  • ChowChow (CHOW 25.25% Wkly, $176.20M MC): ChowChow Cloud International (CHOW) priced its $10.4 million IPO at $4 per share. Est. market cap at IPO of $140.4 million. Lead Left underwriter: Maxim Group.

  • Navan, formerly TripActions, has filed for a U.S. IPO. For the six months ending July 31, revenue was $329.4 million (up from $253.7 million), with a net loss of $99.9 million (compared to $92.5 million loss). Founded in 2015, Navan provides a business travel and expense management app, serving over 10,000 customers. It employed 3,400 people and was last valued at $9.2 billion in October 2022.

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • SEON, a fraud prevention and AML compliance platform, secured an $80M Series C round led by Sixth Street Growth, with participation from IVP, Creandum, Firebolt, and new investor Hearst, bringing total funding to $187M. The company, which serves clients like Revolut, Plaid, and Spotify, will use the funding to expand in North America and globally, advance AI-powered product development, and scale talent acquisition.

Other Industry Activity:

  • Workday (WDAY 4.58% Wkly, $62.38B MC): Elliott Management disclosed a stake of over $2B in Workday (WDAY), praising the company’s CEO and CFO as “proven and effective” and backing the multi-year growth strategy outlined at Workday’s Financial Analyst Day; Workday responded by welcoming Elliott’s support without detailing further initiatives.

Fintech & Financial Services, Insurance, Real Estate

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Robinhood Ventures Public Fund: Robinhood Markets filed with the SEC to launch Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI Wkly, $0.00M MC), a publicly traded closed-end fund providing retail investors access to private company shares before IPO. Managed by Robinhood Ventures DE, the fund will hold a concentrated portfolio of private firms, taking long-term positions through IPO and beyond. This is Robinhood's latest effort to expand private market access, following its EU tokenized private stocks. RVI shares will trade on the NYSE once approved.

  • Andersen Group, a tax and financial advisory firm founded by former Arthur Andersen alumni, is preparing for its IPO this week, led by Morgan Stanley and UBS. The company, which confidentially filed in April, aims to debut in early October, capitalizing on renewed investor appetite after the Fed’s interest rate cut. Andersen Group provides tax, valuation, and consulting services to individual and corporate clients.

Public M&A:

  • Paramount Group (PGRE -8.42% Wkly, $1.44B MC): Rithm Capital is nearing a deal to acquire Paramount Group, a Manhattan and San Francisco office landlord with a $1.7B market cap, for an estimated $2B. The sale, which attracted interest from Blackstone, SL Green Realty, and Vornado, could be announced this week. This follows Paramount’s strategic review launched in May 2025 due to shareholder pressure, executive departures, undisclosed CEO expenses, and an ongoing SEC investigation. (Deal Page)

  • Brighthouse Financial (BHF 17.55% Wkly, $3.29B MC): A consortium led by Aquarian is in advanced talks to acquire Brighthouse Financial for $65–$70 per share, valuing the annuity provider at up to $4B in equity. Investors Mubadala Capital and Qatar Investment Authority are expected to supply over half the funding. Brighthouse may decide next week whether to proceed with the sale or remain independent, though no final decision has been made and talks could still collapse. (Deal Page)

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • PassiveLogic, a Salt Lake City-based developer of generative autonomy platforms for building automation, closed a $74M Series C led by noa, with participation from Prologis Ventures, Johnson Controls, PSP Growth, and existing backers. This funding brings their total raised to over $125M and will advance their Hive platform, enabling autonomous intelligence for hospitals, data centers, and office towers.

Healthcare

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • Cortigent: Vivani Medical will spin off its neuromodulation subsidiary Cortigent, which will list on Nasdaq as CRGT, with a record date of October 8, 2025. The tax-free spin-off is expected to be completed by late 2025. Cortigent, led by CEO Jonathan Adams, will focus on brain implant and precision neurostimulation technology, including the Orion trial for vision restoration and a Stroke Recovery System study. Vivani CEO Adam Mendelsohn believes this will enhance flexibility for both companies.

Public M&A:

  • Hologic (HOLX 2.92% Wkly, $14.75B MC): Blackstone and TPG have re-entered talks with Hologic (HOLX) regarding a potential takeover, following a rejected $16B+ offer in May. Due diligence is now underway for Hologic, a women's health diagnostics company valued at $15.2B. While no deal is finalized, a successful acquisition would be among the largest global PE takeovers this year. (Deal Page)

  • Y-mAbs Therapeutics completed its acquisition by SERB Pharmaceuticals for $8.60 per share in cash via a tender offer and subsequent merger. (Deal Page)

  • XOMA Royalty (XOMA -1.92% Wkly, $436.32M MC): XOMA Royalty (XOMA) completed its tender offer for HilleVax at $1.95 per share in cash plus one non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR). (Deal Page)

  • 89bio (ETNB 84.26% Wkly, $2.21B MC): Roche will acquire 89bio (ETNB) in a tender offer worth up to $3.5 billion, with shareholders receiving $14.50 per share in cash, a 79% premium, plus a non-tradeable CVR of up to $6.00 per share tied to pegozafermin milestones. The transaction, totaling $2.4 billion upfront, is expected to close in Q4 2025, pending tender, regulatory review, and customary conditions. (Deal Page)

Pre-IPO Financings (Series C+ and Prominent):

  • Modern Animal, a veterinary care company with 27 clinics in CA, TX, and CO, raised $46M in a round led by Addition, True Ventures, and Upfront Ventures, reaching a $100M annual revenue run rate after 85% growth in 2024. The company is expanding services to include an integrated pharmacy, e-commerce, urgent care, and specialty care, while enhancing its AI-powered tech to automate administrative tasks and support clinical decision-making.

Logistics, Transportation & Travel, Autos

Live Coverage: Logistics theme page

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • FedEx Freight: FedEx said its planned spin-off of FedEx Freight into an independent, publicly traded company remains on track for completion by June 2026, structured to be tax-efficient for shareholders; the new entity will trade on the NYSE under ticker FDXF, with FedEx having already confidentially filed a Form 10 with the SEC in August 2025 and requested a private letter ruling from the IRS in September 2025 regarding the transaction’s tax treatment.

  • First Student: EQT AB is exploring options including a potential U.S. IPO of First Student , the Cincinnati-based student transportation provider it acquired from FirstGroup in 2021 for $4.6B, according to people familiar with the matter. Preliminary talks with advisers are underway, though EQT may still retain the asset. First Student, with over 60,000 employees and 44,500 vehicles across the U.S. and Canada, operates about 450 electric buses and has committed to converting 30,000 diesel buses to electric by 2035.

  • Genuine Parts Company (GPC -2.80% Wkly, $19.10B MC): Genuine Parts (GPC) is considering a breakup of its industrial and automotive parts businesses after settling with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. The company is exploring options like spinning off its automotive division, which accounts for 63% of sales. This follows an agreement with Elliott to add new board members and conduct a strategic review.

Public M&A:

  • Norfolk Southern (NSC 3.27% Wkly, $63.65B MC): Union Pacific (UNP) has proposed a $72B acquisition of Norfolk Southern (NSC), valuing the deal at about $85B enterprise-wide, and received public backing from President Donald Trump, who referenced NSC’s 2023 East Palestine derailment. The merger, under review by the US Surface Transportation Board, would create the first coast-to-coast transcontinental railroad by linking Union Pacific’s western US network with Norfolk Southern’s eastern lines. CEO Jim Vena has directly engaged with Trump and senior officials to support regulatory approval. (Deal Page)

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Media & Entertainment/ Communications

Listings - Launches/ Plans / Rumors:

  • StubHub (STUB -21.45% Wkly, $6.33B MC): StubHub (STUB) priced its IPO at $23.50 per share to raise $800M, but shares fell 6.4% in their debut, opening at $25.35 before closing at $22, giving the ticketing platform a market value of $8.1B; the long-delayed listing follows prior postponements in July 2024 and April 2025 due to market volatility, including disruptions from Trump’s tariff announcements.

Public M&A:

  • Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD 2.44% Wkly, $47.86B MC): Paramount Skydance's pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery is progressing slowly, with private negotiations preferred. The potential offer is reportedly $22–$24 per share, with 20–30% in Paramount stock and the rest in cash, largely financed by Larry Ellison. A merger would create a studio producing 30 films annually and unite HBO Max with Paramount Plus, aiming to rival Netflix and Disney. Further consolidation, like a CBS–CNN combination, could follow, with antitrust risks appearing reduced. Oracle may remain an infrastructure partner. (Deal Page)

  • DallasNews (DALN 11.69% Wkly, $85.42M MC): DallasNews (DALN) amended its merger agreement with Hearst to increase the cash purchase price from $15.00 to $16.50 per share, representing a 276% premium over the July 9, 2025 closing price of $4.39; the board recommended shareholders approve the transaction, which remains subject to their vote, while ISS and Glass Lewis both issued recommendations in favor of the merger. (Deal Page)

THE CONVERSATION:

Bonus

Last month, we released a performance review of Chamath’s SPAC activity. Here is the update:

Thanks for reading,

The team at ListingTrack

Market Data and Coverage: All market data presented is based on the stock prices at the close of the previous trading day. We cover the US market only at this time.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes and for your convenience only and is not intended to be treated as financial, investment, tax, or other advice. The author or guest authors may have positions in any of the stocks discussed. ListingTrack and its parent, CommonFi, do not make any guarantees, representations, or warranties as to, and shall have no liability for, the timeliness, truthfulness, sequence, quality, completeness, or accuracy of any of the information or data provided in this newsletter or on the ListingTrack website.