Key Highlights

  • The five fastest mid-cap gainers over one month in published market data as of October 28, 2026 are Braze, up 93.03%, Surgery Partners, up 64.70%, FIGS, up 53.54%, DXC Technology, up 52.58%, and Kodiak Sciences, up 52.22%.
  • Two of the five are takeover stories: Salesforce agreed on October 20, 2026 to pay USD 47.50 per share for Braze (NASDAQ:BRZE), and HealthSpan Partners agreed on October 26 to pay USD 23.50 per share for Surgery Partners.
  • Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KOD) rose on Phase 3 wet AMD results reported on September 28, 2026. DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC) rose on a report of unsigned talks to sell its insurance unit for about USD 2.4 billion.
  • FIGS (NYSE:FIGS) is the one gainer with no new company news, resting on August 6, 2026 results, and it trades about 9% above the average analyst target near USD 18.7, simple arithmetic.

Braze (NASDAQ:BRZE): Up 93.03% on a Salesforce Offer

Braze (NASDAQ:BRZE) rose 93.03% in a month to USD 45.83 after Salesforce agreed on October 20, 2026 to buy it for USD 47.50 in cash, about USD 5.66 billion of enterprise value. On October 20, 2026, Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Braze for USD 47.50 in cash per Class A share, an enterprise value of about USD 5.66 billion. J.P. Morgan advised Salesforce and Qatalyst Partners advised Braze. The USD 30.04 close on October 19 was itself far above the level a month earlier. Working back from the 93.03% one-month gain, the implied price a month ago was about USD 23.74, so the stock had already risen about 27% before the announcement, simple arithmetic on published numbers. Braze (NASDAQ:BRZE) has also gained 77.75% over three months and 33.44% year to date, and its quarterly revenue growth of 26.2% shows why a strategic buyer saw value. The main risk is that the deal fails. Published terms include a USD 300 million fee payable by Salesforce if regulators block the transaction and a USD 191 million fee payable by Braze if it accepts a superior proposal.

Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY): Up 64.70% on a USD 23.50 Buyout

Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY) rose 64.70% in a month to USD 23.36 after HealthSpan Partners agreed on October 26, 2026 to buy it for USD 23.50 per share in cash. On October 26, 2026, HealthSpan Partners, an affiliate of Bon Secours Mercy Health, announced an agreement to acquire Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY) for USD 23.50 per share in cash, a transaction worth about USD 5.7 billion. Earlier published reports had pointed to a price near USD 20 per share, so the final price came in above those talks. Surgery Partners operates about 176 surgery centers and hospitals across 30 states, according to published reports. Debt rose from USD 2.97 billion in fiscal 2022 to USD 4.04 billion in fiscal 2025, which is why the equity value is a small part of the enterprise price. Regulatory review is the main risk, because a hospital system buying a large surgery network can draw scrutiny, and a delay would keep the shares tied to the spread.

FIGS (NYSE:FIGS): Up 53.54% Without New News

FIGS (NYSE:FIGS) rose 53.54% in a month to USD 20.38 without new company news, resting on August results and a raised outlook, with the next report due November 5, 2026. The last company report came on August 6, 2026. Revenue of USD 196.6 million rose 28.8%, the third straight quarter above 25%, and earnings were USD 0.15 per share. Non-scrubwear revenue rose 40.3% to USD 35.4 million and international revenue rose 67% to USD 37.9 million. The month's gain of 53.54% implies a price near USD 13.27 a month ago, simple arithmetic. In that time the company issued no new release that this review could find, so the move reflects the August results, rising expectations and momentum. FIGS (NYSE:FIGS) has gained 92.22% over three months and 78.88% year to date. Consensus 2027 earnings growth is only about 6%, set against a valuation near 55 times forward earnings, a gap that leaves little room for a miss. The next report is scheduled for November 5, 2026, and a beat with stronger guidance would probably be needed to hold the rally.

DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC): Up 52.58% on Insurance Unit Talks

DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC) rose 52.58% in a month to USD 15.96 after a report of advanced talks to sell its insurance unit for about USD 2.4 billion, with no deal signed. On October 19, 2026, published reports said DXC was in advanced talks to sell its insurance software and services unit to Eldridge Industries for about USD 2.4 billion, citing people familiar with the matter. The unit supplies policy administration systems and related software to life, wealth, property and casualty insurers. The last quarterly report, on July 30, 2026, showed earnings of USD 0.40 per share against USD 0.41 expected and USD 0.68 a year earlier, on revenue of about USD 3.0 billion, down 5%. Analysts are cautious: published ratings are mostly Hold with an average target near USD 12.21, well below the USD 15.96 price. DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC) has gained 41.49% over three months and 10.14% over one week, yet only 8.06% year to date, so the month is a recovery from a low base of about USD 10.46, simple arithmetic. Talks can collapse, a sale could be repriced and the remaining business would be smaller after years of falling revenue.

Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KOD): Up 52.22% on Phase 3 Data

Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KOD) rose 52.22% in a month to USD 93.93 after Phase 3 DAYBREAK wet AMD results on September 28, 2026, with a biologics license application planned for the fourth quarter. On September 28, 2026, the company reported topline results from the DAYBREAK Phase 3 study in wet AMD. Zenkuda (tarcocimab tedromer) met its primary endpoint with a p-value of 0.0007, and tabirafusp-ted met its visual acuity primary endpoint with a p-value of 0.0036 and a key anatomical secondary endpoint with a p-value below 0.0001. Published analyst actions followed: LifeSci Capital to USD 145, Jefferies to USD 112, UBS to USD 120, H.C. Wainwright to USD 126 and Goldman Sachs to USD 103 with a Neutral rating. Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KOD) is up 129.55% over three months and 236.55% year to date. Kodiak has no commercial product or revenue and reported about USD 126 million of cash at the end of the second quarter, which management says supports operations into 2027, so an equity raise, partnership or royalty deal is likely.

Where Things Stand

The answer is that deals and data explain most of the five largest monthly gains, with one exception. Braze (NASDAQ:BRZE) trades about 3.5% below its USD 47.50 offer. Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY) trades about 0.6% below its USD 23.50 offer. Kodiak Sciences (NASDAQ:KOD) depends on a fourth quarter filing and financing. DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC) depends on a signed agreement. FIGS (NYSE:FIGS) depends on its November 5, 2026 report. Each gain can reverse if its catalyst fails.