FTAI Infrastructure (NASDAQ: FIP) has completed the acquisition of Tidewater Logistics for approximately $45 million in cash, funded by upsizing an existing term loan. Tidewater, a barge and rail transloading company, operates in Ohio, West Virginia, and Texas, and is expected to generate about $9 million in Adjusted EBITDA over the next twelve months. This acquisition is highly complementary to FIP's Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, expanding its platform in key shale and energy markets.

NiSource has received regulatory approval for its data center partnership with Amazon in Indiana, attracting fresh analyst attention. Evercore ISI raised its price target for NiSource shares to $52 from $50, maintaining an "In Line" rating, while the company reaffirmed its long-term earnings growth expectations, now projecting 9-10% CAGR through 2033. NiSource's first-quarter 2025 operating earnings met expectations, reinforcing its consistent performance within the regulated utilities sector.

Merck KGaA is set to acquire Bio-Techne Corporation for $11.3 billion, paying $73 per share in cash. This acquisition aims to strengthen Merck's position in high-growth life science areas such as multi-omics, spatial biology, precision diagnostics, and cell and gene therapy, aligning with its long-term strategic agenda of scaling innovation through M&A. The deal, expected to close by late 2026 or early 2027, will be funded by cash and new debt, anticipating immediate accretion to sales growth and EBITDA pre-margin post-closing, along with €140 million in annual cost synergies.

Fabrinet (NYSE: FN) has been removed from the Russell 2000 Growth Benchmark. This news follows a previous announcement that the company was added to the Russell 1000 Growth Benchmark. The shifts in index inclusion reflect changes in the company's market capitalization and growth profile, with a recent trading price around $524.79.

PPL Corporation is a regulated utilities group listed on the NYSE that operates electric and natural gas networks in the US and UK. The company maintains a steady dividend profile, making it an income-oriented holding in the S&P 500 for investors seeking stability in the utilities sector. PPL generates revenue from regulated delivery of electricity and natural gas, with tariffs approved by public utility commissions.

FTAI Infrastructure Inc. (FIP) has acquired Tidewater Logistics, a barge and rail transloading company, for approximately $45 million. Tidewater, operating in Ohio, West Virginia, and Texas, is expected to generate $9 million in Adjusted EBITDA over the next twelve months and is seen as a complementary asset to FIP's existing rail infrastructure, offering opportunities for expanded customer bases and increased throughput volumes.

Martin Marietta has announced a $13.5 billion merger with Lhoist North America, a limestone supplier, to be financed through a combination of cash and stock. This strategic move will significantly expand Martin Marietta's presence in construction aggregates. The announcement comes as Martin Marietta's shares are trading near recent highs on the NYSE, with analysts maintaining an optimistic outlook for the company.

This article highlights five stock picks from Wall Street's most accurate analysts, despite a generally down week for U.S. stocks. The analysis, based on Benzinga's Analyst Ratings API, identifies top recommendations for SanDisk Corp, Silicon Motion Technology Corp., Plexus Corp, Qualcomm Inc, and Micron Technology Inc, detailing their recent ratings, price target adjustments, and potential upside.

Building material firm Martin Marietta Materials announced a cash-and-stock deal to merge with limestone supplier Lhoist North America, valued at $13.5 billion including debt. Martin Marietta will fund the acquisition with $7 billion in cash and $6.5 billion in shares, with Lhoist's Berghmans family owning roughly 15% of the combined entity. The deal is expected to conclude in the second half of 2026.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced a new agreement with the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) to improve access to its once-daily HIV treatment, IDVYNSO™ (doravirine/islatravir), for eligible individuals through state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). This collaboration aims to address critical access challenges for people living with HIV who are uninsured or underserved, building on Merck's long-standing commitment to the HIV community. IDVYNSO, approved in April 2026, is a two-drug single-tablet regimen for HIV-1 infection in virologically suppressed adults and is part of Merck's broader HIV research and development program.