Acquisition

We have written a 9-page Update Report on DATA Communications Management (DCM) after it announced preliminary fiscal 2024 financial results, with revenue expected between $478M and $480M, slightly below prior estimates. Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $62M to $64M, in line with expectations. The Company also introduced a dividend program, including a special dividend of $0.20 per share and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share. Revenue was impacted by project timing shifts, the exit from low-margin accounts, and the Canada Post strike, but cost efficiencies from the Moore Canada Corporation integration supported profitability. Final results will be released on March 12, 2025. [more]

Vermilion Energy announced the acquisition of privately-held Westbrick Energy for $1.075 billion. The deal includes 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) of production, 1.1 million acres of land, and four gas plants. Vermilion expects the acquisition to boost its 2025 production to 126,000–133,000 boe/d while strengthening its position as the fifth largest Deep Basin producer. This aligns with the company’s focus on natural gas as a transition fuel and balancing its North American and European portfolios. The company anticipates significant cash flow generation and long-term operational synergies from these assets. [more]

We have written a 16-page Update Report on DATA Communications Management (DCM) after it released its Q3/2024 financials. DCM is a Canadian-based communications, DAM, marketing, MarTech, and social media analytics solutions provider. Revenue increased 14.5% YTD driven by the Moore Canada Corporation (MCC) acquisition. Despite a 11.4% decline in quarterly revenue due to reduced client spending and strategic account exits, DCM continued to focus on operational efficiencies and cost reductions. Adjusted EBITDA rose 6.6% Y/Y to $12.6 million, supported by MCC synergies and restructuring efforts. The company launched ASMBL and acquired Zavy Limited to expand tech-enabled solutions. DCM remains optimistic about revenue recovery and targets an improved EBITDA margin of over 14% in the coming quarters. [more]

Wonder Group, a delivery-focused food hall operator, has agreed to acquire Grubhub from Just Eat Takeaway.com for $650 million. The deal, comprising $150 million in cash and $500 million in senior notes, is expected to close in Q1/2025. Wonder plans to integrate Grubhub’s platform, which connects 375,000 merchants across 4,000 U.S. cities, to enhance its super app for meal ordering. This acquisition comes as Wonder raises $250 million to support its growth and follows its 2023 purchase of Blue Apron. Grubhub continues to face market challenges, with declining share and ongoing profitability concerns. [more]

Mattr (TSX: MATR) has acquired AmerCable Inc. from Nexans S.A. (ENXTPA: NEX) for US$280 million. AmerCable, a U.S.-based producer of engineered wire and cable solutions, complements Mattr’s Shawflex business and expands its U.S. footprint, particularly in medium voltage applications. The acquisition aligns with Mattr’s growth strategy, benefiting from electrification trends and infrastructure expansion. Expected to close by year-end, the deal is projected to deliver immediate earnings accretion, improve revenue stability, and enhance operational capabilities. AmerCable’s facilities in Arkansas and Texas will integrate with Mattr’s Canadian operations, creating one of North America’s leading custom-engineered cable manufacturers. [more]

We have written a 10-page Update Report on DATA Communications Management (DCM) after it acquired Zavy Limited, a New Zealand-based provider of social media analytics. This acquisition enables DCM to expand its MarTech offerings, enhancing capabilities in social media performance analytics, audience sentiment, and data-driven marketing. Zavy’s platform provides tools like social media benchmarking and AI-driven insights, aligning with DCM’s strategic goals to shift towards digital solutions. The acquisition also allows DCM to extend Zavy’s services to North American markets, meeting the demand for social media analytics among both large enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses. [more]

Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) is facing hurdles in its attempt to acquire Fission Uranium (TSX: FCU) for C$1.14 billion. While the deal would create a global uranium leader, Chinese state-backed CGN Mining Company, which owns an 11.26% stake in Fission, has opposed the acquisition in court. The Supreme Court of British Columbia will make a final ruling on September 26. If successful, Paladin would gain access to Fission‘s Patterson Lake South project, significantly expanding its uranium footprint across Canada, Namibia, and Australia. The court’s decision will shape the future of this strategic acquisition. [more]

Gold Fields (JSE: GFI) has announced an agreement to acquire Osisko Mining (TSX: OSK) in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.16 billion. The acquisition, which includes the Windfall Project in Quebec, enhances Gold Fields’ portfolio by adding a high-grade gold development asset in a stable region. Osisko shareholders will receive $4.90 per share, representing a 55% premium to the 20-day VWAP as of August 9, 2024. The transaction is expected to close in Q4/2024, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. [more]