Private Equity's Major Acquisitions Unveiled on Thursday
In the realm of corporate acquisitions, several significant moves are underway, with private equity firms showing a keen interest in major healthcare and retail companies.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA): Shareholders have given the green light to a $10 billion sale to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. With about 96% of votes cast in favour, the deal values each share at $11.45. The transaction is expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval. Walgreens will remain headquartered in Chicago and continue operating core brands like Boots. Sycamore plans to support Walgreens' turnaround strategy and has a commitment to maintain the pharmacy-led business model. The deal includes a 35-day “go-shop” period allowing WBA to seek competing offers, though no better bids are guaranteed. Walgreens is also exploring strategic options for its VillageMD care unit, which may include a sale[1][3][5]. The acquisition could be announced as soon as this week, with Sycamore's offer ranging between $11.30 and $11.40 per share in cash[2].
The surge in Walgreens shares represents a 5% increase for the day, closing at $10.84[4].
Assura: London-listed property and healthcare infrastructure firm Assura is poised to accept a £1.61 billion private equity takeover bid. The company, which owns more than 600 buildings, including doctors' surgeries across the UK, has been a target of multiple acquisition attempts in recent months[6]. The board of Assura is considering a recommendation for a new offer, if a firm bid is made at the latest proposed terms of 49.4p per share. However, as of now, there are no recent publicly available updates regarding a private equity takeover bid for Assura[7].
Gerresheimer AG: Gerresheimer AG, with a market value of approximately €2.7bn ($2.9bn), is a key supplier of packaging solutions for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Despite being a target for private equity buyout firms for a long time, no recent or relevant updates on private equity takeover bids for Gerresheimer AG have been found[8]. Bain Capital and other bidders have exited the race to acquire Gerresheimer AG, with KKR & Co. being the frontrunners in the acquisition[9]. However, the Warburg Pincus-KKR consortium is not planning to offer a significant premium to Gerresheimer AG's current valuation[10].
Gerresheimer AG's shares have risen 11% this year[8]. A final agreement for the acquisition of Gerresheimer AG could take weeks and may still fall apart[9].
The potential takeover bid for Assura is from KKR and Stonepeak Partners, while the acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance is from KKR and Sycamore Partners. The latest status of the private equity takeover bids is as follows: only the Walgreens Boots Alliance sale to Sycamore Partners has progressed with a confirmed shareholder approval and expected closing later in 2025. No latest information is found on private equity bids for Assura or Gerresheimer AG in the provided data.
[1] Walgreens Boots Alliance Shareholders Approve $10 Billion Sale to Sycamore Partners
[2] Sycamore Partners Finalizing Deal to Acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance for Approximately $10 Billion
[3] Walgreens Boots Alliance Shareholders Approve $10 Billion Sale to Sycamore Partners
[4] Walgreens Shares Surge on Private Equity Takeover Bid
[5] Walgreens Exploring Strategic Options for VillageMD Care Unit
[6] Assura Poised to Accept £1.61 Billion Private Equity Takeover Bid
[7] No Recent Updates on Private Equity Takeover Bid for Assura
[8] No Recent Updates on Private Equity Takeover Bid for Gerresheimer AG
[9] Bain Capital, Other Bidders Exit Race to Acquire Gerresheimer AG
[10] Warburg Pincus-KKR Consortium Not Planning to Offer Significant Premium to Gerresheimer AG's Current Valuation
- In the Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) sale, shareholders approved a $10 billion deal with private equity firm Sycamore Partners, valuing each share at $11.45.
- The private equity firm KKR is one of the interested parties in the acquisition of Assura, alongside Stonepeak Partners.
- The deal with Sycamore Partners for Walgreens Boots Alliance is expected to close in either the third or fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval.
- Private equity buyout firms have long been interested in Gerresheimer AG, a key supplier of packaging solutions, with KKR being the frontrunners in the acquisition, but no final agreement has been reached.
- In the realm of corporate acquisitions, private equity firms are showing keen interest, with notable moves in major healthcare and retail companies, such as the potential takeover of Assura and the confirmed sale of Walgreens Boots Alliance to Sycamore Partners.
