The revised offer represents a clear premium over the 3,232 yen per share bid initially proposed in May. LY Corp. and Bain Capital hold further leverage, pledging to elevate the price to 3,500 yen should they secure a nontender agreement with KDDI, one of the target firm’s primary shareholders. This acquisition remains conditional, as the bidders require a formal expression of support from Kakaku.com’s board before proceeding.
In section Market Quotes
LY Corp. and Bain Capital Sweeten $4.1 Billion Bid for Kakaku.com
A bidding war for Japan’s digital marketplace Kakaku.com intensified Thursday as LY Corp. and Bain Capital increased their takeover offer to 3,384 yen per share. The move pushes the total valuation of the internet company to approximately $4.12 billion, significantly outpacing a rival acquisition proposal from Sweden’s EQT.
Kakaku.com acknowledged the offer on Thursday, stating the company will weigh the proposal against existing interests to determine which path best serves its shareholders. The market responded positively to the maneuvering, with shares of the Tokyo-based operator climbing 3.8% during afternoon trading. The company currently manages a diverse portfolio of digital assets, including popular price-comparison, restaurant-review, and job-search platforms. EQT remains in the fray with its own standing offer of 3,000 yen per share, though the latest bid from the LY-Bain partnership sets a higher bar for any potential consolidation.
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