Private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group agreed to acquire business decision data and analytics provider Dun & Bradstreet for $7.7 billion.
Jacksonville, FL-based Dun & Bradstreet provides a wide range of products and services for risk and financial analysis, as well as for professionals in operations, supply chain, sales and marketing. The company — which has roots dating back to 1841 — also offers research and insights on global business challenges.
Dun & Bradstreet’s board unanimously approved an agreement to offer shareholders $9.15 in cash per share. Clearlake will fund the purchase with a mix of equity and debt.
“We have been on a strategic journey over the last six years, executing a major transformation that has strengthened our business and financial results. We have grown revenue by approximately 40%, EBITDA by 60%, expanded margins by nearly 600 basis points, and leverage has come down from 9 times to 3.6 times, all while extending our lead in data breadth, depth and quality,” Dunn &. Bradstreet CEO Anthony Jabbour, said in a March 24 news release. “We are pleased to be partnering with Clearlake on this new leg of that journey. With their support, our team looks forward to evolving and growing the company with new ways to put our trusted, proprietary and mission-critical data assets to work for our clients.”
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Dun & Bradstreet shares rose 3% in premarket trading, though they are down 30% this year, compared to the S&P 500’s 3.6% decline, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The deal includes a “go-shop” period for Dun & Bradstreet to seek alternative offers. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, after which Dun & Bradstreet will become privately held.
Santa Monica, CA-based Clearlake Capital has been in operation since 2006 and has over $90 billion of assets under management.
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