ALLETE(US:ALE) Benzingaยท2025-10-01 10:02Group 1: Acquisition News - AES Corp's stock surged 14.06% to $15.01 in pre-market trading due to reports of BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners nearing a $38 billion acquisition deal [1][2] - Negotiations between Global Infrastructure Partners and AES are reportedly well advanced, although there remains a possibility that the deal may not be finalized [2] Group 2: Market Context - The increasing demand for power, driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers, is benefiting utility companies, prompting strategic deals within the sector [3] - Market analysts are closely monitoring the developments surrounding the acquisition [3] Group 3: Company Performance - AES exceeded Wall Street's profit expectations for the second quarter, with significant growth in its renewable energy division due to the global shift towards cleaner power sources [4] - Over the past year, AES has experienced a 34.98% loss, but has gained 2.25% year-to-date, with a market capitalization of $9.37 billion [7] Group 4: Historical Context - On July 8, AES shares rose nearly 13% following reports of the company considering strategic options, including a potential sale due to interest from several investment firms [5] - Global Infrastructure Partners has a proven track record in the utilities sector, having previously acquired the U.S. utility Allete in a $6.2 billion deal [6]