iPower stock plunges after announcing Bitcoin and Ethereum purchases

Investing.com -- HOF Capital and BlueFive Capital are in discussions to purchase Porsche AG’s stake in Bugatti Rimac, according to reporting from Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.

The potential deal would involve the acquisition of Porsche’s interest in the joint venture that owns the Bugatti supercar brand, which Porsche currently shares with Croatia’s Rimac Group.

HOF Capital, co-founded by a member of Egypt’s billionaire Sawiris family, and its partners are also looking to acquire Porsche’s stake in Rimac Group itself as part of the transaction.

The deal could be valued at more than €1 billion ($1.2 billion), the sources said, requesting anonymity because the information is not public.

As part of the proposed transaction, HOF Capital may provide additional capital to Rimac Group to support its expansion plans, according to the sources.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Verisk Analytics Inc (NASDAQ:VRSK) stock gained 1.6% on Monday after the data analytics provider announced it had terminated its agreement to purchase AccuLynx following delayed regulatory review.

The company said it ended the $2.35 billion acquisition deal after the Federal Trade Commission failed to complete its review by the December 26 deadline. Verisk will now redeem $1.5 billion in senior notes that were issued to fund the acquisition at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest.

AccuLynx has disputed the validity of the termination, but Verisk stated it "strongly disagrees" and will "vigorously defend" its position.

The termination may benefit Verisk’s financial position, as the company noted its leverage would have been 1.9 times LTM adjusted EBITDA as of September 30 after the notes redemption. Verisk also highlighted it had $1.2 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

"Verisk remains committed to our capital allocation discipline – balancing organic investment in our highest return on capital opportunities while returning capital to shareholders through dividend and repurchases," said Lee Shavel, president and CEO of Verisk.

The company reaffirmed its confidence in delivering results aligned with its long-term growth targets for this year, 2026, and beyond.

Wolfe Research analyst Scott Wurtzel maintained an Outperform rating and $245.00 price target on Verisk, noting investor reaction to the original acquisition announcement had been mixed. Raymond James estimated Verisk could incur $15 million or more in interest costs in addition to returning the principal amount.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com – U.K. stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Real Estate Investment Trusts REITs, Real Estate and Healthcare Equipment & Services sectors led shares higher.

At the close in London, the Investing.com United Kingdom 100 added 0.04%.

The best performers of the session on the Investing.com United Kingdom 100 were B&M European Value Retail SA (LON:BMEB), which rose 3.82% or 6.15 points to trade at 167.00 at the close. Meanwhile, Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF) added 2.50% or 8.40 points to end at 344.20 and ConvaTec Group PLC (LON:CTEC) was up 2.10% or 5.00 points to 243.00 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Pershing Square Holdings Ltd (LON:PSHP), which fell 1.63% or 80.00 points to trade at 4,822.00 at the close. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG) declined 1.38% or 145.00 points to end at 10,365.00 and Halma PLC (LON:HLMA) was down 1.35% or 48.00 points to 3,520.00.

Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the London Stock Exchange by 1070 to 641 and 598 ended unchanged.

Shares in Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF) rose to all time highs; gaining 2.50% or 8.40 to 344.20.

Gold Futures for February delivery was down 4.50% or 204.85 to $4,347.85 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in February rose 2.34% or 1.33 to hit $58.07 a barrel, while the March Brent oil contract rose 1.98% or 1.19 to trade at $61.43 a barrel.

GBP/USD was unchanged 0.08% to 1.35, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.09% to 0.87.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.15% at 97.84.

Investing.com – Spain stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Telecoms & IT, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic and Consumer Goods sectors led shares higher.

At the close in Madrid, the IBEX 35 added 0.13% to hit a new all time high.

The best performers of the session on the IBEX 35 were Cellnex Telecom SA (BME:CLNX), which rose 1.86% or 0.50 points to trade at 27.35 at the close. Meanwhile, Acerinox (BME:ACX) added 1.82% or 0.22 points to end at 12.33 and SOLARIA ENERGIA Y MEDIO AMBIENTE (BME:SLRS) was up 1.70% or 0.30 points to 17.98 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Unicaja Banco SA (BME:UNI), which fell 1.15% or 0.03 points to trade at 2.75 at the close. International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (BME:ICAG) declined 0.61% or 0.03 points to end at 4.75 and Mapfre (BME:MAP) was down 0.51% or 0.02 points to 4.27.

Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the Madrid Stock Exchange by 103 to 99 and 18 ended unchanged.

Shares in SOLARIA ENERGIA Y MEDIO AMBIENTE (BME:SLRS) rose to 52-week highs; gaining 1.70% or 0.30 to 17.98.

Gold Futures for February delivery was down 4.47% or 203.70 to $4,349.00 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in February rose 2.34% or 1.33 to hit $58.07 a barrel, while the March Brent oil contract rose 1.98% or 1.19 to trade at $61.43 a barrel.

EUR/USD was unchanged 0.17% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.09% to 0.87.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.15% at 97.84.

Investing.com – Portugal stocks were higher after the close on Monday, as gains in the Utilities, Consumer Services and Consumer Goods sectors led shares higher.

At the close in Lisbon, the PSI gained 0.03%.

The best performers of the session on the PSI were The Navigator Company SA (ELI:NVGR), which rose 1.94% or 0.06 points to trade at 3.15 at the close. Meanwhile, Altri SGPS SA (ELI:ALSS) added 1.14% or 0.05 points to end at 4.44 and EDP Renovaveis (ELI:EDPR) was up 0.93% or 0.11 points to 11.94 in late trade.

The worst performers of the session were Teixeira Duarte (ELI:TDSA), which fell 3.74% or 0.02 points to trade at 0.62 at the close. Semapa (ELI:SEM) declined 3.41% or 0.75 points to end at 21.25 and Mota Engil SGPS SA (ELI:MOTA) was down 3.11% or 0.16 points to 4.85.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Lisbon Stock Exchange by 18 to 10 and 3 ended unchanged.

Brent oil for March delivery was up 1.98% or 1.19 to $61.43 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in February rose 2.31% or 1.31 to hit $58.05 a barrel, while the February Gold Futures contract fell 4.48% or 203.75 to trade at $4,348.95 a troy ounce.

EUR/USD was unchanged 0.17% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.09% to 0.87.

The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.14% at 97.84.

Investing.com -- European markets traded lower on Monday morning as trading resumed after Christmas week, with defense stocks slipping following talks between Trump and Zelenskiy.

The FTSE 100 in the U.K. fell 0.04% while the CAC 40 in France fell 0.06% and the DAX index in Germany dropped 0.1%. 

European arms makers slip as Trump, Zelenskiy edge toward peace deal

European defense stocks fell as investors reacted to signs of progress in peace negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Trump stated that the two leaders were "getting a lot closer" to reaching a deal, though territorial issues remain unresolved following their meeting.

Italian defense contractor Leonardo SpA (BIT:LDOF) was among the hardest hit. German defense firms also saw significant declines, with Rheinmetall AG (ETR:RHMG) and Hensoldt down. 

British defense giant BAE Systems PLC (LON:BAES) also declined during morning trading.

The sector-wide decline comes as markets assess the potential implications of a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which could potentially reduce defense spending and military equipment orders in Europe.

GAM Holding opposes Honda unit takeover by Samvardhana Motherson

Asset management firm GAM Holding has voiced opposition to a proposed takeover of Honda unit Yutaka Giken by Indian auto parts maker Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (NSE:SAMD), claiming the offer undervalues the Japanese company.

GAM chief executive Albert Saporta confirmed the firm has sent a letter to Yutaka Giken’s president, urging the company to either abandon the transaction or negotiate a significantly higher price. Yutaka Giken manufactures components for exhaust, drivetrain, braking, and thermal management systems and is described as a profitable operation.

BasePoint Capital to buy International Personal Finance

In separate news, BasePoint Capital has reached an agreement to purchase International Personal Finance PLC (LON:IPF) for 235 pence per share in cash. The transaction values the company at approximately £543 million.

The offer represents a 31.1% premium to IPF’s closing price on July 29, 2025, which was the last business day before the offer period commenced. The deal also reflects a 45.3% premium to the company’s three-month volume-weighted average price.