Mergers & Acquisitions

GSK To Buy IDRx In $1 Billion Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

GSK announced that they have entered into an agreement under which GSK will acquire IDRx, a Boston-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing precision therapeutics for treating GIST. As part of the agreement, GSK will pay $1 billion upfront, with the potential for an additional $150 million success-based regulatory approval milestone payment. This acquisition includes lead molecule IDRX-42, a highly selective KIT TKI being developed as a first- and second-line therapy for treating GIST.

Vagaro Buys Schedulicity For Expanding Services

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Vagaro, a leading software for businesses in beauty, wellness, and fitness, announced that they have strategically acquired Schedulicity, a scheduling software for businesses across the beauty & wellness industries. This acquisition, effective immediately, further expands Vagaro’s commitment to quality business solutions for professionals.

Roark Capital And Kohlberg Sign Strategic Partnership With GPRS

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Roark Capital and Kohlberg announced a strategic partnership with GPRS Holdings. Kohlberg, the previous majority owner of the company, will remain a minority investor and partner with Roark to accelerate growth further. The company’s management team, led by CEO Matt Aston, will continue to lead GPRS and remain significant business owners.

Ramirez Asset Management Buys $500 Million Private Credit Strategy Unit From Avenue Capital Group

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Ramirez Asset Management (RAM) - a $12+ billion fixed-income and equity investment manager serving institutional investors and high net-worth investors - announced it recently acquired the private credit opportunities strategy team and their assets from hedge fund manager Avenue Capital Group.

Hunt Military Communities Buying Virginia-Based Privatized Housing Development Homeport Hampton Roads

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Hunt Military Communities (HMC), which is the nation’s largest provider of military housing, announced that it has acquired full ownership of Homeport Hampton Roads, a high-performing privatized housing development supporting unaccompanied Navy personnel.

Adams Outdoor Advertising Acquires Cee Media

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Adams Outdoor Advertising, the fourth largest out-of-home advertising operator in the U.S. and the largest privately owned, announced the acquisition of Wisconsin-based billboard company Cee Media. This strategic deal amplifies Adams’ presence across the Midwest and underscores its commitment to delivering unparalleled advertising solutions to businesses nationwide.

Palm Peak Capital Acquires Pacific Shoring Products

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Palm Peak Capital - a private equity firm that invests in lower-middle market industrial and services companies across North America - announced that it has completed its first platform investment with the acquisition of Pacific Shoring Products, a leading manufacturer of trench safety equipment. The terms of the private transaction are not disclosed.

CAPTRUST Onboards Houston-Based $300 Million Advisor Firm

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

CAPTRUST Financial Advisors announced that Wealth Covenant Group (WCG) in Houston, TX has joined CAPTRUST. WCG has served a select group of families and business owners as their trusted financial advisors, offering comprehensive financial and estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and investment management services. Headed by President Dennis Stavinoha, the firm brings three employees and $300 million in assets to CAPTRUST.

Wealth Enhancement Acquires $82 Million RIA Danison & Associates

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Wealth Enhancement, a national independent wealth management firm with over $103 billion in client assets, announced the acquisition of Danison & Associates, an independent RIA in Columbus, Ohio. And the team of two advisors and two support staff oversees more than $82 million in client assets and is led by Dean Danison, CIMC, President, and Tracey Danison, CFP, Vice President.

Raymond James Brings In $525 Million Florida-Based Advisor Mary Lauritano

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Raymond James announced it welcomed financial advisor Mary Lauritano, CFA, to Raymond James & Associates (RJA) – which is the firm's employee advisor channel, as revealed by Gregg Stupinski, Southeast division director for RJA. As managing director, Lauritano heads Lauritano Wealth Management of Raymond James and is joined by senior client service associates Natalia Morales and Melody Price.

Indivisible Partners Onboards $640 Million Team And Launches Advisory Firm

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 15, 2025

Indivisible Partners - a privately-owned independent advisory firm - announced the launch of its company while responding to the changing expectations and needs of financial advisors and clients. This firm was built around a common purpose — empowering advisors to help clients achieve their desired outcomes by focusing on quality decision-making and redefining the wealth advisory experience.

American Industrial Partners Raises Strategic Investment From Blackstone

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

American Industrial Partners (AIP) announced a strategic minority investment from funds managed by Blackstone GP Stakes, specializing in value-added, long-term minority investments in industry-leading private equity firms.

Raymond James Onboards $440 Million Oklahoma-Based Team

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Raymond James announced it onboard financial advisors John “David” Veitch and Drew Veitch to Raymond James & Associates (RJA) – which is the firm's employee advisor channel as revealed by RJA’s Southwest regional director Edward Sudzina. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this team is joined by David’s brother, client service associate Scott Veitch.

Cerity Partners Onboards $4.1 Billion AUM Firm Prio Wealth

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Cerity Partners, a leading independent wealth management firm in the U.S., announced that it is merging with Prio Wealth, a Boston-based wealth management firm. This deal will expand Cerity Partners’ comprehensive wealth advisory services across family and generational wealth planning, financial and retirement planning, and investment management services.

Mariner Acquiring Cardinal Investment, Bringing In $292 Billion In Assets Under Advisement

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Mariner, a leading national financial services firm, announced the acquisition of Cardinal Investment Advisors in a deal that adds $292 billion in assets under advisement and about 40 employees to its Mariner Institutional practice. This deal marks a significant milestone in Mariner’s 2025 strategic national expansion plan, strengthening its ability to meet increasing client demand and will bring its total assets under advisement to approximately $550 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Janney: 27 Financial Advisors Added In 2024

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Janney Montgomery Scott, a leading full-service wealth management and investment banking firm, announced 27 experienced Financial Advisors joined the firm in 2024. And the Financial Advisors collectively manage over $4.3 billion in assets and joined Janney from Baird, Citizens, Fidelity, Kestra, LPL, Merrill Lynch, Osaic, Raymond James, Steward Partners Global Advisory, Truist, UBS, and Wells Fargo.

Merit Financial Acquiring $739 Million Firm Zimmermann Investment

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Merit Financial Advisors - a Georgia-based financial advisory firm specializing in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and those navigating life transitions - announced it has acquired Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning. This deal will expand Merit's presence with a fourth office in Pennsylvania and increase its assets by $739 million.

Motorola Solutions To Buy Theatro

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jan 14, 2025

Motorola Solutions announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Theatro Labs, the maker of AI and voice-powered communication and digital workflow software for frontline workers, based in Richardson, Texas.