Apollo's $360M Trace3 Buy Ranks 282nd on High-Volume Day as AI Push Accelerates

Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO) closed August 11, 2025, with a 0.11% gain, trading at $12.73 per share. The stock ranked 282nd in trading volume for the day, with $360 million in turnover. The firm announced a strategic partnership to acquire Trace3, a leading enterprise IT solutions provider, from American Securities. Financial terms were undisclosed, though American Securities will retain a minority stake. Trace3, founded in 2002, specializes in AI, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, positioning it to capitalize on digital transformation trends. Apollo’s existing expertise in IT services, demonstrated through prior investments in Presidio and TD SYNNEX, aligns with its plan to expand Trace3’s high-value offerings and pursue strategic M&A. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, with Citi, Wells Fargo, and other institutions serving as advisors.

The acquisition underscores Apollo’s focus on high-growth technology sectors. Robert Kalsow-Ramos of Apollo emphasized the firm’s intent to accelerate Trace3’s expansion in AI-driven services while preserving its innovation-driven culture. Trace3’s CEO highlighted the partnership as a validation of its market-leading position, citing its 20-year track record in serving Fortune 500 clients. American Securities’ managing director noted the deal reflects the firm’s strategy of supporting teams in value-creating sectors. Apollo’s $840 billion AUM and experience in IT infrastructure investments further reinforce its ability to execute such strategic moves.

A backtest of a liquidity-driven trading strategy revealed that purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day generated a 166.71% return from 2022 to 2025. This outperformed the benchmark by 137.53%, highlighting the role of liquidity concentration in short-term gains, particularly in volatile markets. The results emphasize the market’s responsiveness to high-volume assets, a factor Apollo’s recent acquisition strategy appears to leverage through its focus on scalable technology platforms.