Acquisitions

Xpeng plans to launch its mass-market Mona EV brand overseas next year, starting with Europe, aiming to become a global player with affordable EVs. CEO He Xiaopeng revealed an openness to strategic acquisitions to enhance competitiveness in the consolidating EV sector. The Mona brand debuted in China with a $17,000 coupe and will expand globally. Xpeng, already present in Europe, seeks to increase its global footprint, exceeding its initial expansion targets. While considering European manufacturing, it faces EU tariffs.

Ellipsis U.S. Onshore Holdings, backed by Westlawn, announced the acquisition of Permian Basin assets producing 4,000 BOEPD, with plans to reach 20,000 BOEPD in 2025. This adds over 8,200 net acres in the Northern Delaware Basin. Separately, they signed a farmout agreement with Black Stone Minerals for 270,000 gross acres in East Texas, securing rights to non-operated interests in Haynesville acreage tied to Revenant Energy’s drilling program. These deals expand Ellipsis’ non-operated portfolio.

Diginex (DGNX), a sustainability RegTech firm, grew revenue 57% to $2.0M but widened its net loss to $5.2M in FY2025. Critically, its balance sheet shifted from $23.0M net liabilities to $4.6M net assets after its January 2025 IPO. Post-filing, the company announced ambitious plans: a $2B all-stock acquisition of Resulticks Group, purchasing Matter DK ApS for $13M, pursuing a dual listing on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and raising $250M targeting GCC investors. Strategic shifts included moving away from customization toward SaaS solutions despite core subscription growth challenges.

University Bancorp (UNIB) increased its stake in Currency Exchange International (CXI) by approximately 0.48%, reaching about 12.02% ownership. The company acquired shares on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the OTC Markets. UNIB views its CXI holdings as an investment, subject to ongoing review, and may consider various strategic options. The announcement follows UNIB’s strong 2024 financial results and highlights its position as a significant financial holding company in Michigan.

Lithia & Driveway (LAD) expands its footprint by acquiring two Southeast Mercedes-Benz dealerships, expecting $220 million in annualized revenue. This acquisition brings LAD’s total 2024 acquired revenue to $400 million. Further demonstrating confidence, LAD updated its share repurchase program, investing $230 million to repurchase shares. This balanced approach combines strategic acquisitions and share repurchases, signaling positive growth and shareholder value.