📖 Publishers declined 20% & bounced back. $170M+ Funding Day.
Impact Capital Markets #17 explores at Publishing stocks, major impact deals and acquisitions, and upcoming economic releases.
In Top News Today, European Markets are upbeat after France narrowly avoided a recession and Spain exceeded GDP growth expectations. Shares rose ahead of the flash Eurozone 4Q GDP results set to be released today.
Today's Topics
- 📖 Publishers. Publishing Recovers from ~20% Drop
- 💰 Funding. $170M+ Funding in Genetics, Respiratory, EV, Nuclear & More
- 💼 Acquisitions. LearningTech & Veterinary
- 📅 Economics. Major Interest Rate Decisions, Euro Area GDP & Inflation Releases + More
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📖 Publishing Recovers from ~20% Drop
HolonIQ Publishers (HIQPUBL). 12-month indexed returns (returns on the index relative to the level on January 27, 2023) initially dropped significantly by almost 20% but saw a sharp recovery over the last three months. The index has almost made a full recovery, with Year-on-Year returns now at -1%.
Softening overall consumer demand conditions and the moderation of the pandemic driven demand boom impacted publisher bottom lines throughout the year, including those of Pearson (Market Cap: US$8.5B) and Scholastic (Market Cap: US$1.1B). More significantly, the competitive landscape has intensified due to open-source AI, prompting publishers to diversify their operations and enhance digital initiatives. Additionally, legal action has been initiated by some publishers against major tech giants like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta to safeguard their intellectual property, which could mitigate these challenges to some extent, although effective diversification strategies will be key to growing revenue.
💰 Funding
🧬 Global Fertility Partners, a leading network of fertility and reproductive genetics centers across the Middle East, raised $60M in Private equity from Dubai Investments to expand its network of fertility and women’s health centers across MENA.
💊 Enterprise Therapeutics, a UK-based drug developer for treating respiratory diseases, raised $33M Series B from Panakes Partners. The funds will aid a Phase IIa trial for a cystic fibrosis drug, aiming to improve hydration and relieve respiratory challenges from excess mucus in patients.
🚗 BluSmart Mobility, an Indian-based EV ride-hailing service and EV charging hub infrastructure operator raised $25M from Responsability investments to expand its EV charging infrastructure across India.
⚛️ Transmutex SA, a Switzerland-based nuclear engineering company, raised $23M Series A from Union Square Ventures & Steel Atlas to further develop and commercialize its subcritical nuclear energy system.
🔄 Paques Biomaterials, a Netherlands-based circular Polymer Technology Company, raised $15.2M from Invest-NL and NOM. The funds will construct a Caleyda Extraction Facility in Emmen for extracting the biopolymer named Caleyda, valued for its 100% biodegradability and microplastic elimination.
🌍 CarbonPool, a Switzerland-based insurance company with a carbon credit balance sheet, raised $12M from Heartcore Capital & Vorwerk Ventures to support its mission of providing in-kind insurance for failure.
🧫 Carcinotech, a UK-based 3D printed micro-tumor manufacturer, raised $5.3M Seed from Eos Advisory to expand operations and its R&D efforts.
💼 Acquisitions
📚 Quantum5, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based provider of a holistic learning ecosystem, acquired Trivie, a Texas-based company that uses AI for personalized workforce learning, community-building, and enhanced learning experiences.
🐾 Instinct Science, a Pennsylvania-based leading software provider for veterinary hospitals, acquired VetMedux, an Oklahoma-based developer of a practice management system for veterinarians.
📅 Economic Calendar
Major Interest Rate Decisions, Euro Area GDP & Inflation Releases + More
Tuesday January 30th 2024
🇪🇦 Euro Area - GDP Data, Q4
🇺🇸 US - Employment Data, December
Wednesday January 31st 2024
🇦🇺 Australia - Inflation Data, Q4
🇨🇳 Canada - NBS Manufacturing PMI, January
🇯🇵 Japan - Consumer Confidence, January
🇫🇷 France - Inflation Data, January
🇩🇪 Germany - GDP Data, Q4
🇩🇪 Germany - Inflation Data, January
Thursday February 1st 2024
🇺🇸 US - Fed Interest Rate Decision
🇺🇸 US - Fed Press Conference
🇨🇳 Canada - Caixin Manufacturing PMI, January
🇪🇦 Euro Area - Inflation Data, January
🇮🇹 Italy - Inflation Data, January
🇬🇧 UK - BoE Interest Rate Decision
🇺🇸 US - ISM Manufacturing PMI, January
Friday February 2nd 2024
🇺🇸 US - Non Farm Payrolls, January
🇺🇸 US - Employment Data January
Monday February 5th 2024
🇦🇺 Australia - Balance of Trade, December
🇩🇪 Germany - Balance of Trade, December
🇺🇸 US - SM Services PMI, January
Tuesday February 6th 2024
🇦🇺 Australia - RBA Interest Rate Decision
🇨🇦 Canada - Ivey PMI s.a , January
Wednesday February 7th 2024
🇨🇦 Canada - Balance of Trade , December
Thursday February 8th 2024
🇨🇳 China - Inflation Data, January
Friday February 9th 2024
🇨🇦 Canada - Unemployment Data, January
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