Clearlake to acquire Dun & Bradstreet in $7.7 billion deal

Published 24/03/2025, 12:36
Clearlake to acquire Dun & Bradstreet in $7.7 billion deal

SANTA MONICA, Calif. & JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - In a significant move within the data analytics sector, investment firm Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNB), a global provider of business decisioning data and analytics. The all-cash transaction is valued at $7.7 billion, including outstanding debt, with an equity value of $4.1 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dun & Bradstreet shareholders will receive $9.15 per share. The deal has received unanimous approval from Dun & Bradstreet’s Board of Directors and is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and other customary closing conditions.

Dun & Bradstreet CEO Anthony Jabbour expressed confidence in the acquisition, highlighting the company’s strategic transformation over the past six years, which has resulted in significant financial growth and reduced leverage. Jabbour anticipates further evolution and growth with Clearlake’s backing, leveraging the company’s proprietary data assets for client benefit.

Clearlake’s Co-Founder Behdad Eghbali and Partner James Pade noted Dun & Bradstreet’s trusted brand and comprehensive data analytics capabilities. They expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the existing management to explore the potential of AI-powered solutions for a global client base.

The purchase price will be funded with a combination of equity and debt financing. The agreement also includes a 30-day "go-shop" period, during which Dun & Bradstreet will seek out potentially superior proposals. However, there is no guarantee that this process will result in a better offer.

Upon completion of the transaction, Dun & Bradstreet will become a privately held company, and its common stock will be delisted from public markets. BofA Securities is acting as the financial advisor to Dun & Bradstreet, while a consortium of financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and others, are advising Clearlake.

This acquisition marks a significant step for Clearlake, an investment firm with over $90 billion in assets under management, known for its sector-focused approach in technology, industrials, and consumer segments.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement.

In other recent news, Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Inc. reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, which missed both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue forecasts. The company achieved a modest revenue growth of less than 1% for the quarter, reaching $632 million, while full-year revenue for 2024 was $382.002 million, marking a 3% increase. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was slightly down at $260 million, although the full year saw a 4% increase to $927 million. Meanwhile, Clearlake Capital Group is reportedly close to acquiring Dun & Bradstreet for approximately $4 billion, with a potential agreement to pay around $9 per share.

Analysts have also weighed in on Dun & Bradstreet’s performance. Needham analysts cut the price target from $17.00 to $14.00 but maintained a Buy rating on the stock, citing the company’s strategic review and its potential to foster growth. Similarly, Raymond James reduced the price target to $14.00 from $19.00 while maintaining a Strong Buy rating, emphasizing potential value creation through mergers and acquisitions. These developments reflect a mixed sentiment from analysts, who remain cautiously optimistic about the company’s future prospects despite recent challenges.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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