Group 1 - RBC Capital Markets downgraded the stock rating of DigitalBridge Group Inc from "outperform" to "in line" with the industry, and reduced the target price from $23 to $16 [1] - The downgrade is directly linked to SoftBank Group's recent acquisition plan, which involves a cash purchase of DigitalBridge at $16 per share, valuing the company at approximately $4 billion [1] - Analysts expect the acquisition to be approved and completed as announced, furthering SoftBank's mission to leverage AI-driven digital infrastructure growth [1] Group 2 - The acquisition has received unanimous recommendation from DigitalBridge's independent board special committee and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions [2] - Post-acquisition, DigitalBridge will continue to operate as an independent management platform led by CEO Marc Ganzi [2] - Other investment banks, including B. Riley and TD Cowen, have also downgraded DigitalBridge's rating to "neutral" [2]

Core Insights - DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (DBRG) is currently experiencing speculation regarding potential buyout interest from SoftBank, although such rumors do not guarantee any substantive developments [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The analysis emphasizes a fundamentals-first approach to investment, focusing on uncovering mispriced assets that the market may have overlooked [1] - The author has extensive experience in managing investments since 1999, providing a perspective across multiple market cycles [1] - The author is pursuing ongoing CFA certification, indicating a commitment to professional development in investment analysis [1] Group 2: Market Environment - The current investment environment is characterized by algorithm-driven strategies that often prioritize sentiment and technical factors over fundamental analysis [1]

Data center stocks have become a key focus for investors as artificial intelligence continues to drive demand for computing power, cloud infrastructure, and digital connectivity. One name now squarely in the spotlight is DigitalBridge (DBRG), after Japan’s SoftBank (SFTBY) agreed to acquire the data center investment firm in a $4 billion all-cash deal. The acquisition underscores SoftBank’s aggressive push into AI infrastructure and has sparked a sharp move in DigitalBridge shares. With the stock jumping ...

We recently published 10 Stocks Quietly Climbing Toward 2026. DigitalBridge Group Inc. (NYSE:DBRG) is one of the best performers on Monday. Digital Bridge extended its winning streak to a fourth straight session on Monday, jumping 9.70 percent to close at $15.27 apiece as investors gobbled up shares following announcements that it is set to be taken private for $4 billion. In a statement on the same day, DigitalBridge Group Inc. (NYSE:DBRG) said that it entered into a definitive agreement with SoftBank ...

Upgrades - Argus upgraded BHP Group (BHP) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $68, citing firming prices for iron ore, copper, and coal as the global economy improves [2] Downgrades - Jefferies downgraded Mereo BioPharma (MREO) to Hold from Buy with a price target of 50 cents, down from $7, due to Setrusumab missing primary endpoints in trials, impacting Mereo's future strategy [3] - RBC Capital downgraded DigitalBridge (DBRG) to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $16, down from $23, following SoftBank's acquisition announcement at $16 per share, totaling a $4 billion enterprise value [4] Initiations - Stephens initiated coverage of Commvault (CVLT) with an Overweight rating and a $162 price target, highlighting its leadership in data protection and transition to Software-as-a-Service [5] - Stephens initiated coverage of Rubrik (RBRK) with an Overweight rating and a $105 price target, noting its strong growth outlook in data protection and expected margin expansion [5] - Stephens initiated coverage of Varonis (VRNS) with an Equal Weight rating and a $40 price target, emphasizing its growth potential in data security as a Software-as-a-Service platform [5] - Freedom Capital initiated coverage of Ero Copper (ERO) with a Buy rating and a $32 price target, pointing out its high-grade, low-cost assets in Brazil [5] - H.C. Wainwright initiated coverage of Terra Innovatum (NKLR) with a Buy rating and a $25 price target, believing its use of off-the-shelf components will lower regulatory and technological barriers [5]

Group 1: Company Overview - DigitalBridge (DBRG) shares increased by 9.6% to $15.26 in the last trading session, with a notable trading volume, and have gained 43.4% over the past four weeks [1][2] - The company has entered into an acquisition deal with SoftBank Group valued at $4 billion, with SoftBank set to acquire all outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium to the closing price on December 26, 2025, and a 50% premium to the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4, 2025 [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - DigitalBridge is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.08 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 27.3%, with revenues projected at $100.26 million, down 1.3% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for DigitalBridge has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating a lack of upward revisions which typically correlate with stock price movements [5] Group 3: Industry Context - DigitalBridge is part of the Zacks Financial - Investment Management industry, which includes other companies like MSCI, that closed 0.1% higher at $585.76 and has returned 3.8% in the past month [6] - MSCI's consensus EPS estimate for its upcoming report is $4.58, showing a year-over-year increase of 9.6%, with its Zacks Rank also at 3 (Hold) [7]

Group 1 - Zijin Mining (02899) rose nearly 3% after announcing the completion of the main construction and core equipment installation for the second phase of the Xizang Julong Copper Mine, marking a key step before production [1] - Asia Pacific Satellite (01045) increased over 5.4%, with a cumulative rise of nearly 30% over the past five trading days, as it operates multiple satellites under China Satcom [1] - Zhaoyan New Drug (06127) fell over 6% following an announcement that its actual controller plans to reduce holdings by up to 14.98 million shares, representing 20.0466% of his holdings and 1.99873% of the company's total share capital [1] - Zhongwei New Materials (02579) surged nearly 7% after signing a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Xinwanda for solid-state batteries [1] Group 2 - Dongyue Group (00189) rose nearly 5% as the long-term contract prices for refrigerants were confirmed, with R32 priced at 61,200 yuan/ton (+1,000 yuan) and R410A at 55,100 yuan/ton (+1,900 yuan) [2] - MicroPort Scientific Corporation (02252) increased over 1.2%, reporting that its core products' cumulative order volume exceeded 230 units [2] - Oil stocks saw gains, with CNOOC (00883) up 4.17%, PetroChina (00857) up 2.91%, and Sinopec (00386) up 1.31%, driven by a rise in international crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions [2] - Baidu Group (09888) rose nearly 7% after announcing a partnership with Uber and Lyft to launch a robotaxi pilot project in the UK by 2026 [2] Group 3 - NIO (09866) rose over 2.4% after announcing that it successfully delivered over 40,000 units of its new ES8 model within 100 days of the official delivery start [3] - Damai Entertainment (01060) increased nearly 5%, with the total box office for the 2025 New Year’s season reaching 5.245 billion yuan as of December 28 [3] Group 4 - Copper mining stocks collectively declined, with Hudbay Minerals (HBM.US) down 4.01%, Taseko Mines (TGB.US) down 3.1%, and Ero Copper (ERO.US) down 1.64%, as international copper futures fell over 4% [5] - Some cryptocurrency-related stocks fell, with IREN Ltd (IREN.US) down 2.21% and Circle (CRCL.US) down 0.94% [5] - NIO (NIO.US) rose 4.71% in the US market, echoing its performance in Hong Kong [6] - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon Index fell nearly 1%, with major Chinese concept stocks declining, including Alibaba (BABA.US) down 2.46% and Xpeng Motors (XPEV.US) down 1.35% [6]

Group 1 - Digital Bridge Group's share price surged nearly 10% following news of a buyout by SoftBank Group, indicating strong market interest [1][2] - The acquisition deal has an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion, with SoftBank agreeing to pay $16 per share in cash for DigitalBridge [2][6] - DigitalBridge operates in the digital infrastructure sector, which is experiencing high demand due to the needs of artificial intelligence, making it a strategic investment opportunity [4][5] Group 2 - SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized that the acquisition aims to strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers and advance their vision of becoming a leading Artificial Super Intelligence platform provider [5] - DigitalBridge's current market cap is $2.5 billion, with its stock closing at $15.26, below the acquisition price, reflecting some skepticism among investors regarding the deal's completion [6][8] - The deal is considered smaller in scale compared to SoftBank's previous investments, such as WeWork, and is viewed positively due to DigitalBridge's reliable profitability and strong market position [7][8]

Group 1 - SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge for an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion, focusing on digital infrastructure investments [1] - The acquisition aims to enhance SoftBank's capabilities in building and financing infrastructure necessary for next-generation AI services [2][3] - DigitalBridge's expertise in digital infrastructure will support SoftBank's vision of becoming a leading provider of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) [2][3] Group 2 - The acquisition price is set at $16 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium over DigitalBridge's closing share price on December 26 and a 50% premium over the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4 [4][5] - DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separate entity under the leadership of CEO Marc Ganzi after the transaction closes [6] - The transaction is expected to finalize in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [6]

如果加上相关投资，全球数据中心交易额在今年已创下历史新高。 智通财经APP获悉，席卷全球的人工智能(AI)热潮已吸引数千亿美元融资与战略合作，如今正推动数据 中心行业掀起一轮并购浪潮。 周一，软银集团(SFTBY.US)成为最新加入战局的企业，宣布与数字基础设施投资商 DigitalBridge(DBRG.US)达成价值数十亿美元的收购协议，这也推动了今年全球数据中心并购交易额突 破700亿美元。以下为今年数据中心相关并购交易动态一览。 | The Timing | The Target | The Buyer | The Details | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | December | DigitalBridge | SoftBank | Deal involves about | | | | | $3 billion in cash but | | | | | was valued at $4 | | | | | billion including | | | | | debt. | | December | Intersect Power | Google | Alpha ...