> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Defense Index Rises 34%. $220M+ VC Funding. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/defense-rise-34-220m-vc-funding/ - Published: 2024-05-30T11:28:40.000Z - Updated: 2024-06-21T12:53:24.000Z - Description: Impact Capital Markets #104 looks at our Defense Stock Index, major impact deals, M&A, and upcoming economic releases. - Author: QS - Tags: Deals [**Buna ziua** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian%5Flanguage?ref=newsletters.qs.com#:~:text=Romanian%20is%20a%20Romance%20language,relative%20of%20Romanian%20is%20Italian.) ๐Ÿฐ ๐Ÿ“ˆ **Today's Global Economic Update:** Germany's annual inflation rate [increased to 2.4% in May 2024 from 2.2% in the previous two months](https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/05/PD24%5F213%5F611.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com), driven by rising service and food prices. Despite falling energy prices, core inflation remained steady at 3%, indicating persistent underlying inflation pressures. ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ **Deal of the Day:** Natural Cycles**,** aSwedish healthcare app, raised a [$55.2M Series C](https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/05/stockholm-based-natural-cycles-snaps-e50-8-million-series-c-to-make-hormone-free-birth-control-more-accessible/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to improve access to hormone-free birth control. **What's New?** ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ **Defense.** Defense index rises 34% **๐Ÿ’ฐ Funding.** Healthcare, energy, biotech + more ๐Ÿ’ผ **M&A.** Healthcare services and biopharmaceuticals ๐Ÿ“… **Economics.** Euro area inflation, GDP, balance of trade + more ## ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Defense Index Rises 34% [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2024/05/HolonIQ_HolonIQ_Defense_HIQDFNSE_HCH2OUIA9MEKTR6XIQF3.png)](https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HCH2OUIA9MEKTR6XIQF3/HolonIQ-Defense-%28HIQDFNSE%29?ref=newsletters.qs.com) HolonIQโ€™s Defense Index has risen 34% year-over-year, with a steady upward trend since last October despite minor fluctuations. Technological advancements, rising defense budgets, and evolving global threats have mainly driven this increase. Heightened geopolitical tensions among major global powers are catalyzing an accelerated pace of investment in defense capabilities by nations worldwide.This trend is evident as major players in the industry, like General Dynamics Corp and Airbus SE, have witnessed impressive stock price gains of 44% and 29% respectively over the past year, signaling investor confidence. Technological advancements are also playing a crucial role. The defense industry is adopting next-generation counter-drone systems, electrifying military vehicles, and ramping up investments in AI. While growth opportunities exist, the defense sector faces supply chain challenges. Global complexities, like labor shortages and material scarcity, are causing delays and cost increases, affecting defense operations and modernization plans. Addressing these challenges, alongside the escalating depletion of weapons stock, is expected to fuel substantial growth in the defense industry, driven by the demand for new and advanced technologies in the coming years. ## **๐Ÿ’ฐ** Funding ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš•๏ธ **Natural Cycles,** aSwedish healthcare app, raised a [$55.2M Series C](https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/05/stockholm-based-natural-cycles-snaps-e50-8-million-series-c-to-make-hormone-free-birth-control-more-accessible/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) from Lauxera Capital Partners to improve access to hormone-free birth control. ๐Ÿญ **One Energy,** an industrial energy company, raised a [$35M Series A ](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/05/one-energy-closes-35m-series-a-funding.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com)to cover its working capital. ๐Ÿงช **Gameto,** aNew York-based biotech company, raised a [$33M Series B](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/05/gameto-raises-33m-in-series-b-funding.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) from Two Sigma Ventures and RA Capital to support the clinical development of their women's health treatments. ๐Ÿ  **TraceAir,** aWashington-based site intelligence software provider for homebuilders and developers, raised a [$25M Series B](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/05/traceair-raises-25m-in-series-b-funding.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com#google%5Fvignette) from PeakSpan Capital to launch new products. ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ’ผ **Maven AGI,** aMassachusetts-based customer support startup, raised a [$20M Series A](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/05/maven-agi-raises-20m-in-series-a-funding.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) from M13 to advance development efforts. ๐Ÿฆ  **Adcendo,** aDenmark-based biotech company, raised a [$17.4M Series A](https://www.finsmes.com/2024/05/adcendo-raises-e16m-extends-series-a-to-e98m.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) from Dawn Biopharma to enhance its pipeline for its antibody-drug conjugates. ## **๐Ÿ’ผ** M&A ๐Ÿ’Š **Virtual Therapeutics**, a Washington-based biotech company, signed a definitive agreement to [merge ](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240529504802/en/Virtual-Therapeutics-Akili-Interactive-Enter-Into-Definitive-Merger-Agreement-to-Establish-Leading-Digital-Health-Company?ref=newsletters.qs.com)with Akili Interactive, a Massachusetts-based company that provides healthcare treatment. ๐Ÿงซ **GTCR**, an Illinois-based private equity firm, signed a definitive agreement to [acquire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240529992714/en/Surmodics-Enters-into-Definitive-Agreement-to-be-Acquired-by-GTCR-for-43.00-Per-Share-in-Cash-Representing-an-Approximate-Equity-Value-of-627-Million?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Surmodics, an Alabama-based biotech company. ๐Ÿงฌ **Merck**, a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company, signed a definitive agreement to [acquire](https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202405294239/merck-to-acquire-eyebio-for-13-billion?ref=newsletters.qs.com) Eyebiotech for $1.3B, a New York-based biotech company. ## **๐Ÿ“…** Economic Calendar Euro Area Inflation, GDP, Balance of Trade + More ### Friday, May 31st 2024 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท [France Inflation Data Preliminary, May](https://www.insee.fr/fr/accueil?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Euro Area Inflation Data (Flash), May](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น [Italy Inflation Data Preliminary, May](https://www.istat.it/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ [India GDP Growth Data, Q1](https://www.mospi.gov.in/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Canada GDP Growth Data, Q1](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US Core PCE Price Index, April](https://www.bea.gov/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US Personal Income & Spending, April](https://www.bea.gov/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Monday, June 3rd 2024 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US ISM Manufacturing PMI, May](https://www.ismworld.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Tuesday, June 4th 2024 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US JOLTs Job Openings, April](https://www.bls.gov/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ [Australia GDP Growth Data, Q1](https://www.abs.gov.au/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Wednesday, June 5th 2024 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Canada BoC Interest Rate Decision](https://www.bankofcanada.ca/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US ISM Services PMI, May](https://www.ismworld.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ [Australia Balance of Trade Data, April](https://www.abs.gov.au/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Thursday, June 6th 2024 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Euro Area Deposit Facility Data](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Euro Area ECB Interest Rate Decision](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Euro Area ECB Press Conference](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Canada Ivey PMI s.a, May](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ [China Balance of Trade Data, May](http://www.customs.gov.cn/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Friday, June 7th 2024 ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช [Germany Balance of Trade Data, April](https://www.destatis.de/DE/Home/%5Finhalt.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Canada Balance of Trade Data, April](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ [Canada Employment Data, May](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [US Employment Data, May](https://www.bls.gov/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)[](https://www.ifo.de/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- **Like getting this newsletter?* For unlimited access to more deals and economic updates,* [*request a demo*](https://webforms.pipedrive.com/f/1uMbIPRqUeVuZ31jVtKWMWIuqU2ga1nKo8aotNdGihU16zgOzuTfRMb9XfIIGmcOT?ref=newsletters.qs.com)*.* --- **Thank you for reading. 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