Dealmaking is back in focus as we head deeper into 2026, with major buyout activity spanning the housing and healthcare sectors. Industry giants are doubling down on strategic acquisitions, signaling confidence in long-term demand. Meanwhile, the biotech space is bracing for crucial clinical readouts, and a string of regulatory warnings has put several micro-cap listings on thin ice, according to people familiar with the matter.

Taylor Morrison Home Corp (TMHC.US)

In a massive bet on the American housing market, Berkshire Hathaway wrapped up its acquisition of Taylor Morrison Home Corp this July. Valued at nearly USD 8.5 billion on an enterprise basis, the all-cash transaction removes a top-tier homebuilder from the public markets and folds its robust 2025 delivery output of 13,000 homes into Berkshire’s sprawling site-built portfolio.

Cardinal Health Inc (CAH.US)

On the healthcare front, Cardinal Health is allocating approximately USD 360 million to acquire the diabetes divisions of Strive Medical and AdaptHealth. The distributor is targeting rapid growth in its at-Home Solutions unit and recently raised its fiscal 2026 full-year outlook, forecasting non-GAAP EPS above USD 10.00 following a stellar fiscal third quarter that saw total revenue surge 19%.

Viking Therapeutics Inc (VKTX.US)

Looking at clinical-stage biopharma, Viking Therapeutics posted a narrower second-quarter deficit of USD 1.10 per share, armed with a USD 502 million cash runway. The company is set to launch a Phase III trial for its oral VK2735 obesity drug by year-end, even as regulatory filings showed the CEO recently divesting roughly USD 4.95 million in stock to satisfy tax obligations.

Novavax Inc (NVAX.US)

Novavax surprised Wall Street with Q1 2026 total revenue of USD 118.9 million. While that marks a steep 79.0% drop from the prior year, it easily topped estimates, resulting in a slimmer-than-expected adjusted loss of USD 0.06 per share. All eyes are now on its August earnings report.

VNET Group Inc (VNET.US)

In the data center space, VNET Group Inc continues to ride strong infrastructure demand. The Chinese operator locked in a strategic investment from PJ Millennium in May, following a robust first quarter where a 58.1% jump in wholesale IDC revenue pushed total net revenue up to RMB 2.69 billion. Adjusted EBITDA also surged 30.6%.

Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GLMD.US)

Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd is pivoting hard, acquiring Colospan to build out its gastrointestinal portfolio. The company scrapped a legacy licensing deal with Yissum in late July and flagged significant developmental progress for its novel oral Parkinson's treatment.

Royal Gold Inc (RGLD.US)

Streaming specialist Royal Gold Inc is recalibrating its portfolio, recently cutting its Hod Maden equity exposure to 15% in exchange for a 2.5% net smelter return royalty. Wall Street analysts are expecting the firm to post Q2 EPS of USD 2.57 alongside USD 458.85 million in total revenue.

Quhuo Ltd (QH.US) & Megan Holdings Limited (MGN.US)

Delisting risks are flaring up for smaller issuers. Quhuo Ltd received a Nasdaq delisting determination in April due to persistent minimum bid price shortfalls, capping a tough stretch where 2025 revenue fell 17.1%. Malaysia-based Megan Holdings Limited is in a similarly precarious position; after being hit with a minimum bid warning in May, the aquaculture firm is battling a market manipulation class-action suit that triggered a severe stock crash.

Tidal Trust II YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund (YMAG.US)

Finally, the Tidal Trust II YieldMax Magnificent 7 Fund declared a late-July dividend of USD 0.0899 per share, keeping up its mandate of generating income streams off the back of mega-cap tech volatility.

This article does not constitute investment advice.