Clearlake Capital Group has struck a $7.7 billion deal to take Dun & Bradstreet, a leading business analytics company, private. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders will receive $9.15 in cash per share, marking a premium over the company’s recent market performance.
The deal, which includes the assumption of Dun & Bradstreet’s debt and an equity investment of $4.1 billion, has been backed by Ares Credit Funds and HSBC. A 30-day “go-shop” period allows the company to entertain any higher offers.
This acquisition follows a slowdown in take-private transactions in Q4 2024, as reported by PitchBook, which highlighted a drop in deal values and a flat deal count amid strong public market conditions.
Dun & Bradstreet, which provides business decision analytics across 250 global markets, has shown strong financial growth, with a reported 40% revenue increase and 60% EBITDA growth over the past six years. However, its stock has fluctuated between $7.89 and $12.75 over the past 52 weeks.
Bank of America Securities is advising Dun & Bradstreet on the deal, while Clearlake is being assisted by Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Deutsche Bank, with Sidley Austin providing legal counsel to Clearlake.
The transaction is expected to reshape the business analytics landscape, although Dun & Bradstreet and Clearlake have both declined to comment on the deal.
Sources:
PitchBook, Bank of America Securities, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Sidley Austin, Weil Gotshal & Manges.
Dun & Bradstreet Hq Florida Pic by outdoorliving101
