๐ก๏ธ Defense Index Rises 34%. $220M+ VC Funding.
Impact Capital Markets #104 looks at our Defense Stock Index, major impact deals, M&A, and upcoming economic releases.
Buna ziua ๐ฐ
๐ Today's Global Economic Update: Germany's annual inflation rate increased to 2.4% in May 2024 from 2.2% in the previous two months, driven by rising service and food prices. Despite falling energy prices, core inflation remained steady at 3%, indicating persistent underlying inflation pressures.
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Deal of the Day: Natural Cycles, a Swedish healthcare app, raised a $55.2M Series C to improve access to hormone-free birth control.
What's New?
๐ก๏ธ Defense. Defense index rises 34%
๐ฐ Funding. Healthcare, energy, biotech + more
๐ผ M&A. Healthcare services and biopharmaceuticals
๐
Economics. Euro area inflation, GDP, balance of trade + more
๐ก๏ธ Defense Index Rises 34%
![](https://newsletters.holoniq.com/content/images/2024/05/HolonIQ_HolonIQ_Defense_HIQDFNSE_HCH2OUIA9MEKTR6XIQF3.png)
HolonIQโs Defense Index has risen 34% year-over-year, with a steady upward trend since last October despite minor fluctuations. Technological advancements, rising defense budgets, and evolving global threats have mainly driven this increase.
Heightened geopolitical tensions among major global powers are catalyzing an accelerated pace of investment in defense capabilities by nations worldwide.This trend is evident as major players in the industry, like General Dynamics Corp and Airbus SE, have witnessed impressive stock price gains of 44% and 29% respectively over the past year, signaling investor confidence. Technological advancements are also playing a crucial role. The defense industry is adopting next-generation counter-drone systems, electrifying military vehicles, and ramping up investments in AI. While growth opportunities exist, the defense sector faces supply chain challenges. Global complexities, like labor shortages and material scarcity, are causing delays and cost increases, affecting defense operations and modernization plans. Addressing these challenges, alongside the escalating depletion of weapons stock, is expected to fuel substantial growth in the defense industry, driven by the demand for new and advanced technologies in the coming years.
๐ฐ Funding
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Natural Cycles, a Swedish healthcare app, raised a $55.2M Series C from Lauxera Capital Partners to improve access to hormone-free birth control.
๐ญ One Energy, an industrial energy company, raised a $35M Series A to cover its working capital.
๐งช Gameto, a New York-based biotech company, raised a $33M Series B from Two Sigma Ventures and RA Capital to support the clinical development of their women's health treatments.
๐ TraceAir, a Washington-based site intelligence software provider for homebuilders and developers, raised a $25M Series B from PeakSpan Capital to launch new products.
๐ฉโ๐ผ Maven AGI, a Massachusetts-based customer support startup, raised a $20M Series A from M13 to advance development efforts.
๐ฆ Adcendo, a Denmark-based biotech company, raised a $17.4M Series A from Dawn Biopharma to enhance its pipeline for its antibody-drug conjugates.
๐ผ M&A
๐ Virtual Therapeutics, a Washington-based biotech company, signed a definitive agreement to merge with Akili Interactive, a Massachusetts-based company that provides healthcare treatment.
๐งซ GTCR, an Illinois-based private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Surmodics, an Alabama-based biotech company.
๐งฌ Merck, a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Eyebiotech for $1.3B, a New York-based biotech company.
๐ Economic Calendar
Euro Area Inflation, GDP, Balance of Trade + More
Friday, May 31st 2024
๐ซ๐ท France Inflation Data Preliminary, May
๐ช๐ฆ Euro Area Inflation Data (Flash), May
๐ฎ๐น Italy Inflation Data Preliminary, May
๐ฎ๐ณ India GDP Growth Data, Q1
๐จ๐ฆ Canada GDP Growth Data, Q1
๐บ๐ธ US Core PCE Price Index, April
๐บ๐ธ US Personal Income & Spending, April
Monday, June 3rd 2024
๐บ๐ธ US ISM Manufacturing PMI, May
Tuesday, June 4th 2024
๐บ๐ธ US JOLTs Job Openings, April
๐ฆ๐บ Australia GDP Growth Data, Q1
Wednesday, June 5th 2024
๐จ๐ฆ Canada BoC Interest Rate Decision
๐บ๐ธ US ISM Services PMI, May
๐ฆ๐บ Australia Balance of Trade Data, April
Thursday, June 6th 2024
๐ช๐ฆ Euro Area Deposit Facility Data
๐ช๐ฆ Euro Area ECB Interest Rate Decision
๐ช๐ฆ Euro Area ECB Press Conference
๐จ๐ฆ Canada Ivey PMI s.a, May
๐จ๐ณ China Balance of Trade Data, May
Friday, June 7th 2024
๐ฉ๐ช Germany Balance of Trade Data, April
๐จ๐ฆ Canada Balance of Trade Data, April
๐จ๐ฆ Canada Employment Data, May
๐บ๐ธ US Employment Data, May
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