A number of tech stocks continue to trade near all-time highs today, with the Nasdaq exchange set to close at yet another record high. However, a significant amount of investor attention is clearly being focused on key artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, with BigBear.ai (NYSE:BBAI) the latest company to generate impressive single-day returns. Today, BBAI stock is up over 20% in early afternoon trading as investors continue to pile into companies with key catalysts.
The catalyst investors are focusing on when it comes to this particular AI stock is BigBear.ai’s recent acquisition of Pangiam. This deal has officially closed, according to a company press release today. BigBear’s management team noted that this deal “accelerates and evolves BigBear.ai’s mission to create clarity for the world’s most complex decisions in three markets: national security, supply chain management, and digital identity.”
In a nutshell, that’s all investors appear to have wanted to hear.
Let’s dive more into this deal and why the market is taking such a bullish tone on BBAI stock today.
BBAI Stock Surges As the Company Completes Key Acquisition
Typically, the stock price of an acquiring company drops following a completed deal, as there’s typically some sort of premium paid that reduces the value of its stock, given the dilutive nature of all-stock deals. This deal, which was announced in November, amounts to roughly $70 million, paid fully in stock. So, while there’s likely to be some immediate dilution, the deal size is relatively small, and investors appear to like the potential upside moving forward.
Pangiam’s focus is on providing Vision AI services for the global trade, travel, and digital identity industries. With a mix of public and private clientele, the hope for BBAI investors is that this deal will not only bolster the company’s AI capabilities, but expand its customer base. And if the combined entity can provide outsized revenue growth moving forward, this $70 million price tag will certainly prove to be worth the investment.
Given the cost of other deals in the AI space, many of which appear to be tied to acquiring specific talent over revenue and cash flows, this deal could certainly be accretive for investors. I do think this deal is a net positive for investors, but I have to say today’s reaction in BBAI stock appears to be exuberant. Thus, investors may want to watch this stock closely in the coming days.
On the date of publication, Chris MacDonald did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
