Deals/IPOs/M&A

Desjardins Group has agreed to acquire Guardian Capital Group in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.67 billion. The transaction follows Desjardins’ earlier acquisition of Guardian’s Worldsource businesses and will result in the combined organization managing roughly $280 billion in client assets. Guardian shareholders will receive $68.00 per share, representing a significant premium to recent trading levels. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both boards and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary approvals. [more]

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) has announced an agreement to acquire CyberArk Software (NASDAQ: CYBR) for approximately US$25 billion, marking its first entry into the identity security market. CyberArk shareholders will receive US$45 in cash and 2.2005 shares of Palo Alto Networks common stock, representing a 26% premium to the prior 10-day VWAP. The transaction implies an enterprise value of approximately US$24.6 billion, or 20.5x revenue, and is expected to be accretive to revenue growth and gross margin immediately, with free cash flow per share accretion projected in F2028. [more]

Canadian Gold Corp (TSXV: CGC) is progressing its Tartan Lake Gold Mine project in Manitoba, supported by a strategic investment from mining financier Rob McEwen. A pending updated resource estimate will include more than 30,000 metres of drilling completed since 2021. With an average grade of 6.32 g/t Au and strong infrastructure access, the Company is targeting a potential restart of underground operations. CGC also holds projects near Agnico Eagle’s Hammond Reef and Malartic mines. Multiple near-term catalysts, including a resource update, PEA, and additional drill results, could impact valuation as the company advances toward development. [more]

Blue Star Gold Corp (TSXV: BAU) is advancing its exploration and development program in Nunavut’s High Lake Greenstone Belt. The company’s flagship Ulu Gold Project holds 875,000 ounces of gold in NI 43-101 resources. Last month, Blue Star completed a $3.5 million private placement and reported new high-grade gold intercepts at Ulu, expanded the Central Prospect to 525 metres of strike, and confirmed the drill-readiness of the Axis and Auma targets. Additional work is planned at the Ataani VMS discovery in the Roma Project. Shares have gained 130% year-to-date, supported by exploration results and renewed market interest. [more]

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]

The mining investment landscape is shifting, and veteran investor Rick Rule sees opportunity. Speaking at PDAC, he emphasized that only a fraction of the 3,000 junior miners are worth investing in, urging investors to focus on management expertise, clear project objectives, and high-quality assets. He highlighted opportunities in Tier 1-bound deposits, high-quality producers like Agnico Eagle, and royalty and streaming companies. Rule also noted that single-asset producers are prime for consolidation as major mining companies seek growth. His core message: invest in quality teams, overlooked commodities, and projects with long-term potential despite prevailing market sentiment. [more]

At PDAC 2025’s Investment Leaders Forum, panelists discussed key strategies for investing in small-cap mining companies. Moderator Kai Hoffmann led a conversation with Robert Cohen of Scotia Global Asset Management and Willem Middelkoop of the Commodity Discovery Fund. They emphasized the importance of technical expertise, geopolitical awareness, and strategic risk management. Topics included emerging discoveries in gold, copper, and uranium, as well as the role of critical metals like antimony. With M&A activity increasing and geopolitical shifts impacting the sector, investors must remain adaptable. Their bottom-up approach focuses on exceptional discoveries and long-term value creation in the resource industry. [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]