** Shares of energy drink maker Celsius Holdings CELH.O surge 33.6% premarket

** Celsius to buy health and wellness drinks brand Alani Nutrition in $1.8 billion deal

** Wedbush analyst Gerald Pascarelli says, "This deal makes good sense as Alani is one of the fastest growing brands in energy with meaningful distribution whitespace"

** Celsius also posts better-than-expected Q4 revenue and adjusted EPS

** Up to last close, stock had fallen 3% YTD; it slid 52% in 2024

(Reporting by Nikhil Sharma in Bengaluru)

((Nikhil.Sharma@thomsonreuters.com;))