Markets

Pinnacle Financial Partners and Synovus Financial Corp. received Federal Reserve approval for their merger, expected to close on January 1, 2026. Shareholders approved the deal on Nov. 6, 2025. The combined company, with approximately $116 billion in assets, will be a regional powerhouse in the Southeast. Post-merger, headquarters will be in Atlanta, GA, with Pinnacle Bank based in Nashville, TN. Full system and brand conversion is planned for completion by the first half of 2027.

On November 25, 2025, Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) announced an amendment to its credit facility, initially established on February 15, 2024. The amendment enhances financial flexibility through a temporary relaxation of the maximum Leverage Ratio and a shift to EBITDA for the Interest Coverage Ratio. The revolving credit facility was reduced from $1.0 billion to $750 million. CFO Brian L. Grass highlighted the favorable terms and strengthened lender relationship. The amendment aims to provide resources amid market challenges.

Hop-on (HPNN) announced the filing of three U.S. provisional patents for its “Authenticated Reality” platform, Digitalage, on November 25, 2025. These patents (63/917,946, 63/908,082, and 63/756,622) address concerns about deepfakes, disinformation, and creator monetization in Web3. One patent enables device-level cryptographic signing, while another uses OOVE™ to create Digital Deeds for creator empowerment. Hop-on also leverages existing patents and a Nokia license. The company aims to provide infrastructure-level solutions for digital trust and content authenticity.

SKK (NASDAQ: SKK) will hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting on December 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Singapore Time, at 27 First Lok Yang Road, Singapore. Shareholders of record by November 21, 2025, are eligible to vote. The Notice of AGM, Proxy Statement, Form 20-F (audited financial statements), director’s report, and summary financial report are available on SKK’s investor website (https://skkworks.com.sg) and the SEC website (www.sec.gov). SKK specializes in subsurface utility operations in Singapore, focusing on infrastructure projects.

Phio Pharmaceuticals completed Phase 1b enrollment for PH-762, an siRNA therapeutic targeting skin cancers. Initial data from 18 patients, primarily with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), showed promising results: six complete responses, two near-complete, and two partial responses in cSCC patients. A Merkel cell carcinoma patient exhibited a partial response. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Further pathology results from the highest dose cohort are expected in Q1 2026. This early data suggests potential efficacy and tolerability in a small cohort.

Falcon Gold is advancing exploration on its 17,225-hectare Valentine Lake Fault land package in Newfoundland, a burgeoning gold district. The company has engaged GeoXplore Surveys Inc. to conduct Phase 1 exploration, employing till geochemistry, geological mapping, geophysics, and 3D structural modeling to identify drill targets. Falcon’s land position strategically bridges active exploration fronts and aligns with the Valentine Lake Fault System, near Equinox Gold’s Valentine Gold Mine, aiming to define targets and establish a new gold camp.

CanAlaska Uranium announced positive results from its 2025 geophysical survey at the West McArthur project, extending the C10/C10S corridor to 16km. The survey delineated multiple conductor plates, improving drill targeting. A $15M exploration budget for 2026, a 20% increase, will fund an early January drilling program using three rigs. While significant potential exists, 10km of the corridor remain untested. Option agreements with Bayridge and Paradigm were terminated, focusing CanAlaska on its uranium assets.

Alibaba Group (BABA) reported its Q3 2025 financial results, showcasing increased revenue (5% YoY, 15% excluding disposed businesses) but decreased profitability due to strategic investments in AI and cloud infrastructure. AI product revenue saw triple-digit growth. The company’s focus is on long-term value creation through AI technologies and expanding its consumption platform. Key segments like China e-commerce and Cloud Intelligence showed strong revenue growth, particularly fueled by AI. Alibaba is actively repurchasing shares, signaling confidence in its future.

TotalEnergies has sold a 12.5% stake in Nigeria’s OML 118 to Shell Nigeria and Nigerian Agip Exploration for $510 million. The deal involves the Bonga oil field and aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy to optimize its portfolio and focus on high-return ventures. Analysts suggest this move signals a broader trend of international oil companies reassessing investments in mature African oil fields due to concerns over security, regulation, and the energy transition. TotalEnergies remains a significant player in Nigeria despite the divestment.

Vivoryon Therapeutics (VVY) will release its Q3 2025 financial results and operational progress on December 4, 2025. A conference call and webcast will be held at 3:00 pm CET / 9:00 am EST. The webcast will be available on Vivoryon’s investor relations site. Participants planning to dial in are encouraged to pre-register for expedited access and to call in 15 minutes early. The company will provide an update on its varoglutamstat program for diabetic kidney disease.