Dun & Bradstreet Acquired by Clearlake for $4.1 Billion
Deal News | Mar 25, 2025 | Zawya
Private equity firm Clearlake Capital has agreed to acquire Dun & Bradstreet, a venerable data and analytics provider, for $4.1 billion. This deal will make the 184-year-old company private once again after its stock-market listing in 2020. Despite a 3% rise in its shares following the announcement, Dun & Bradstreet's stock has suffered a 30% decline this year, plummeting nearly 60% since going public. Analysts cited the company's healthy cash flow and growth potential as reasons for its attractiveness as a takeover target. The agreement provides for a 'go-shop' period that allows Dun & Bradstreet to consider alternative proposals, although it is unlikely that a higher offer will materialize. The transaction, including debt, is valued at $7.7 billion. Bank of America Securities serves as the financial adviser to Dun & Bradstreet, while Clearlake is advised by multiple leading financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Sectors
- Data and Analytics
- Private Equity
- Financial Advisory
Geography
- United States – Dun & Bradstreet is based in the U.S., and the acquisition involves major U.S. entities.
- Bengaluru, India – Bengaluru is mentioned as the location of the reporting journalists, indicating some coverage relevance.
Industry
- Data and Analytics – Dun & Bradstreet's core business involves providing data and analytics services, making this industry relevant.
- Private Equity – The acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet by Clearlake Capital, a private equity firm, is a key aspect of the article.
- Financial Advisory – Involves the role of financial advisers like Bank of America Securities and others in the acquisition process.
Financials
- $4.1 billion – The cash offer by Clearlake Capital to acquire Dun & Bradstreet.
- 11% discount – The offer is an 11% discount to the closing price on August 1.
- $7.7 billion – Total deal value including debt.
- $9.15 – Per share offer by Clearlake Capital.
- $631.9 million – Dun & Bradstreet’s revenue for the latest quarter.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearlake Capital | Acquiring Company | PE Firm | Private equity firm acquiring Dun & Bradstreet. |
| Dun & Bradstreet | Target Company | Company | Data and analytics provider being acquired by Clearlake. |
| CC Capital | Seller | Investment Consortium | Part of the previous investor group that took Dun & Bradstreet private in 2019. |
| Cannae | Seller | Investment Consortium | Part of the previous investment consortium. |
| Thomas H. Lee Partners | Seller | Investment Consortium | Part of the previous investment consortium. |
| Bank of America Securities | Financial Adviser | Company | Financial adviser to Dun & Bradstreet in the acquisition. |
| Morgan Stanley | Financial Adviser | Company | Financial adviser to Clearlake Capital. |
| Goldman Sachs | Financial Adviser | Company | Financial adviser to Clearlake Capital. |
| JP Morgan | Financial Adviser | Company | Financial adviser to Clearlake Capital. |
| Gimme Credit | Research Firm | Company | Provided analysis on the possibility of a higher offer for Dun & Bradstreet. |