$TECH

Conestoga Capital Advisors’ Q2 2026 investor letter says small-cap sentiment improved, citing strong Russell 2000 and Russell 2000 Growth results, though leadership was uneven. The letter highlights Bio-Techne (NASDAQ:TECH) as a performance contributor, noting its $72 close on Aug. 5, 2026, and a 43.57% 52-week gain. It says improving academic funding and large pharma strength helped, and that Bio-Techne agreed to be acquired by Merck KGaA (MRK-GR).

Bio-Techne (TECH) is set to report fiscal Q4 2026 results on Aug. 5. In its prior quarter, adjusted EPS was 53 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus by 3.64%. Revenue is forecast at $317.2 million and EPS at 52 cents. The article also notes Merck KGaA agreed to acquire Bio-Techne for $73 per share.

Bio-Techne (NASDAQ: TECH) said it launched expanded R&D Systems AI-Engineered Designer Protein portfolio additions, including heat-stable FGF-4, FGF-7, FGF-8b, IL-3 heat stable, and IL-15 hyperactive proteins. The company said the platform aims to improve stability, activity, and reproducibility for advanced cell culture and cell therapy workflows. Bio-Techne reported fiscal 2025 net sales over $1.2 billion.

Merck KGaA (Germany) agreed to buy Minnesota-based Bio-Techne in an $11.3 billion deal, its biggest acquisition in over 10 years, as it expands under CEO Kai Beckmann. Merck expects about $159 million in cost savings over three years. The report says the move would strengthen Merck in drug discovery and gene therapy; Bio-Techne shares rose nearly 20% on the Nasdaq.

Bio-Techne (TECH) shares rose 20.08% to close at $70.70 after the company said it entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Merck for an all-cash $11.3 billion. Bio-Techne will sell shares at $73 each, a 24% premium to Wednesday’s close. The deal is expected to close late 2026 or early 2027, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Bio-Techne (TECH) surged 20.02% to close at $70.67 after Merck KGaA announced a $73-per-share cash acquisition offer, according to the report. Trading volume was 51.3M shares, about 1,378% above its three-month average. The S&P 500 edged down 0.01% and the Nasdaq fell 0.46%.

U.S. stocks closed mixed: the S&P 500 fell to a two-week low while the Dow hit a record. Apple slid over 6% after raising prices on Macs, iPads, home devices and Vision Pro to offset memory-chip and storage shortages. Chipmakers rallied, led by Micron up 15% after forecasting Q4 revenue of $50B.

BIO-TECHNE Corp (TECH) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. EX-2.1 2 ex2-1.htm AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION 8-K Exhibit 2.1 Execution Version AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER among MERCK KGAA, DARMSTADT, GERMANY, EMD HOLDINGS NEWCO, INC. and BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION Dated as of June 25, 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I TH

Merck KGaA said it will buy Bio-Techne for $73 per share in cash, valuing the deal at about $11.3 billion. The price is a 36% premium to Bio-Techne’s one-month VWAP, and Merck plans to fund it with cash on hand and new debt. Bio-Techne supplies life science tools; TECH rose about 24% premarket.

Evolve Funds Group announced June 2026 cash distributions for its UltraYield ETFs and other Evolve funds. UltraYield ETFs (BIGY, CANY, SIXY, INTY, EASY) have ex-dividend/record dates June 30, 2026, with payments about July 9, 2026 ($0.3125, $0.21, $0.21, $0.26, $0.31 per unit). Evolve Funds generally have ex-dividend/record June 30 (HISA/HISU.U/MCAD/MUSD.U: June 25) with payments about July 9.