Core Viewpoint - Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is investigating Guess?, Inc.'s board of directors and executive officers for potential breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders related to its pending sale to Authentic Brands Group LLC for $16.75 per share [1]. Company Overview - Guess is a fashion retailer with over 1,500 directly operated retail stores and distribution operations in approximately 100 countries, founded in 1981 by the Marciano family, who still own a significant portion of the company's stock [3]. - Paul Marciano, one of the founders, remains on the board and serves as the Chief Creative Officer [3]. Transaction Details - Paul Marciano and other investors have negotiated to rollover their ownership in Guess to own up to 49% of the new intellectual property holding company and 100% of the operating company post-closing [4]. Investigation Focus - The investigation by BFA Law is centered on whether Guess' board of directors, executive officers, and stockholders involved in the rollover have breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders in connection with the merger [5].

Core Viewpoint - Civitas Resources is in discussions for a potential merger with SM Energy, aiming for a merger of equals without a takeover premium [1][2] Group 1: Merger Discussions - The talks are not public, and no agreement has been reached, with other parties also interested in Civitas [2] - If the merger is completed, the combined enterprise value would be at least $14 billion, making it one of the largest oil and gas transactions of the year [2] Group 2: Industry Context - The Permian Basin has seen significant consolidation as smaller producers seek scale and larger operators aim to establish a presence [3] - Recently, Crescent Energy announced an acquisition of Vital Energy for $3.1 billion, indicating ongoing consolidation trends in the region [3] Group 3: Company Profiles - Civitas holds approximately 140,000 net acres in the Permian Basin with a market capitalization of around $3.2 billion, while SM Energy has about 109,000 acres in the Midland Basin and a market capitalization of approximately $2.9 billion [4] - SM's enterprise value is estimated at $5.5 billion, and Civitas' at roughly $8.5 billion, including debt [4] Group 4: Additional Assets - Both companies possess assets outside the Permian Basin, with SM having positions in the Eagle Ford shale and Uinta Basin, while Civitas has acreage in the Denver-Julesburg Basin [5]

Core Viewpoint - Kaskela Law LLC is investigating the fairness of the buyout of Integral Ad Science (IAS) by Novacap at a price of $10.30 per share, amid concerns that the buyout price may not reflect the true value of the company as indicated by analysts' price targets exceeding $13.50 per share [1][3]. Group 1 - IAS announced an agreement to be acquired by private equity firm Novacap for $10.30 per share in cash, resulting in shareholders being cashed out and the company's shares ceasing to be publicly traded [2]. - The investigation aims to assess whether IAS investors are receiving adequate monetary consideration for their shares and if the company's officers or directors violated fiduciary duties or securities laws in the buyout agreement [3]. - Analysts had set price targets for IAS shares above $13.50 at the time of the buyout announcement, raising questions about the fairness of the offered price [3].

Core Insights - RBC Capital has set a price target of $35 for SM Energy, indicating a potential increase of about 38.67% from its current stock price of $25.24 [1][5] - SM Energy is currently in merger discussions with Civitas Resources to form a $14 billion oil major, reflecting a trend of consolidation in the Permian Basin [2][5] - The stock has shown volatility, with a trading range over the past year between $19.67 and $46.42, highlighting both growth potential and associated risks [4][5] Company Overview - SM Energy focuses on exploration and production in the oil and gas sector, primarily within the United States [1] - The company's market capitalization is approximately $2.9 billion, indicating its overall value in the market [4] Market Activity - SM's stock is currently trading at $25.24, with a slight decrease of $0.04 today, reflecting a percentage change of approximately -0.16% [3] - The stock has a trading volume of 1,905,263 shares, demonstrating active trading and investor interest [4]

NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptorum Group Limited (NASDAQ: APM) ("Aptorum Group” or “Aptorum”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs, announces the addition of Dr. Laura A. Philips to its board of directors as an independent director at closing of the merger with DiamiR Biosciences Corp. Dr. Philips is the co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Spheryx, Inc., a technology company developing holographic microscopic techniqu ...

Core Viewpoint - Predictive Discovery (PDI) has agreed to acquire Robex Resources in a deal valued at A$2.35 billion ($1.55 billion), aiming to create a mid-tier gold producer in West Africa [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The acquisition will be executed through a statutory plan of arrangement, with PDI completing the acquisition indirectly [1]. - Robex shareholders will receive 8.667 shares of Predictive Discovery for each Robex share they hold [1]. - The ownership structure post-transaction will consist of approximately 51% held by current Predictive Discovery shareholders and 49% by Robex shareholders [2]. Group 2: Production and Resources - The merged company is expected to produce over 400,000 ounces of gold annually by 2029 [2]. - Combined mineral resources will total approximately 9.5 million ounces of gold, including ore reserves of around 4.5 million ounces, with potential for further exploration [3]. Group 3: Economic Impact and Project Development - The transaction is anticipated to stimulate economic growth in Guinea, enhance the local workforce, and improve essential infrastructure and services [3]. - Development funding for Predictive Discovery's Bankan project will be supported by cash flows from Robex's Kiniero project, along with the exercise of Robex's in-the-money warrants and options [4]. Group 4: Strategic Positioning and Leadership - The increased scale and diversified multi-asset portfolio are expected to enhance the combined company's capital markets profile, potentially leading to a share price re-rating [5]. - The leadership team will be composed of Andrew Pardey as non-executive chairman and Matthew Wilcox as CEO and managing director [5]. Group 5: Recent Financial Activities - In February, Predictive Discovery secured commitments to raise approximately A$69.2 million through a strategic private placement from the Lundin family and its associates, and China's Zijin Mining Group [6].

CINCINNATI & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) and Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Fifth Third will acquire Comerica in an all-stock transaction valued at $10.9 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Comerica's stockholders will receive 1.8663 Fifth Third shares for each Comerica share, representing $82.88 per share as of Fifth Third's closing stock price on October 3, 2025, and a 20% premiu ...

Core Points - A Delaware judge ruled that former Activision Blizzard officials, including CEO Bobby Kotick, must face a lawsuit alleging they shortchanged shareholders during Microsoft's acquisition of the company for $75.4 billion [1] - Shareholders, led by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden, accused Kotick of rushing the merger to secure his position and $400 million in change-of-control benefits, while also downplaying knowledge of sexual harassment issues at Activision [2] - The judge found sufficient allegations that Kotick manipulated the sale process to favor Microsoft, suggesting that Activision directors prioritized Kotick's interests over those of shareholders [3] - Claims against Microsoft for aiding and abetting the alleged breaches were dismissed, allowing litigation on a trimmed-down version of the complaint to proceed [4] Shareholder Allegations - Shareholders claimed the $95 per share takeover price was initially too low and became increasingly unfavorable as Activision's performance improved during the 21-month regulatory approval process [2] - Allegations included that Kotick's actions were motivated by self-interest, particularly regarding his job security and financial benefits [2][3] Legal Proceedings - The case is officially titled Sjunde AP-Fonden v Activision Blizzard Inc et al, and is being heard in the Delaware Chancery Court [5] - The judge's decision allows for litigation to move forward, focusing on the core claims against Kotick and other Activision directors [4]

Merger and acquisition activity could intensify in the fourth quarter, as companies embrace the current White House administration.Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods shares with Benzinga two sectors he thinks could see activity soon.Regional Banks Regional banks, Woods says, is one sector that has "yet to take off" with the stock market at all-time highs.The market expert said M&A activity could soon heat up in the sector.Woods shared that it has been years since a "clean merger" in t ...

Core Points - Axcelis and Veeco have announced a merger, indicating a strategic move to enhance their market position in the semiconductor equipment industry [1][2]. Group 1 - The conference call is part of the official announcement regarding the merger between Axcelis and Veeco [1]. - An investor presentation related to the merger is available on the Investor Relations pages of both companies' websites [1].