Dun & Bradstreet to be Acquired by Clearlake Capital for $7.7 Billion

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Inc. announced a surge in stock price as Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. agreed to acquire the company in a $7.7 billion deal, inclusive of debt. Dun & Bradstreet, known for providing essential business decisioning data and analytics, will provide its shareholders with $9.15 in cash per share, slightly higher than its current trading price. Clearlake Capital plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of equity and debt financing. Moreover, a 30-day go-shop period is part of the agreement, permitting Dun & Bradstreet to consider superior proposals. The deal, expected to finalize in Q3 2025, will see Dun & Bradstreet transform into a private entity, therefore delisting from public markets. The Board of Dun & Bradstreet has expressed unanimous support for the merger. Clearlake emphasizes the increasing adoption of data-centric solutions and the potential for AI-driven innovation at Dun & Bradstreet. The deal has gained enthusiastic support from retail investors, reflected in rising bullish sentiment and discussion popularity on platforms like Stocktwits. Despite facing declines over the year, this acquisition bodes positively for Dun & Bradstreet’s future prospects.