FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

LiveRamp to Be Acquired by France's Publicis Groupe in $2.17 Billion Deal

By
LiveRamp to Be Acquired by France's Publicis Groupe in $2.17 Billion Deal

LiveRamp (RAMP) shares jumped early Monday after the data collaboration platform agreed to be acquired by French advertising and public relations firm Publicis Groupe in an all-cash deal with an enterprise value of about $2.17 billion.

Publicis will pay $38.50 per share in cash for LiveRamp, representing a roughly 30% premium to its closing price on Friday, the companies said in separate statements Sunday. LiveRamp's stock spiked 27% in Monday's most recent premarket activity.

The transaction has an overall equity value of around $2.55 billion, including acquired net cash of $379 million.

"Our customers and partners have always been our north star, and by joining forces with Publicis, we will have greater resources and flexibility to scale our business, continue innovating our platform, and help them unlock even greater value from their data," LiveRamp Chief Executive Scott Howe said. "This transaction also represents the best path forward for our shareholders, delivering significant and certain cash value at a compelling premium."

The deal, which requires approval from regulators and clearance from LiveRamp's shareholders, is expected to complete by the end of the year. Following completion, the company will continue to be led by Howe.

"LiveRamp joining Publicis Groupe is the latest demonstration of our commitment to investing in new talent and innovation, ahead of market shifts," according to Publicis CEO Arthur Sadoun. "It will be valuable for our clients' business growth, and a new addressable market for Publicis."

The deal will strengthen the French company's data co-creation capabilities and support the development of AI agents for business transformation, it said. Publicis expects to fund the acquisition with cash on hand and debt.

Separately, LiveRamp reported fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted earnings on Sunday of $0.52 per share, up from $0.30 the year before. Five analysts polled by FactSet expected non-GAAP EPS of $0.49. Revenue improved 9.2% to $206.1 million, topping the Street's view for $205.5 million.

The company said it will not provide guidance in light of the proposed deal.

Related Articles

Nasdaq, S&P 500 Retreat From Record Highs as Yields Surge Amid Inflation Woes
US Markets

Nasdaq, S&P 500 Retreat From Record Highs as Yields Surge Amid Inflation Woes

The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 fell from record highs as inflation concerns pushed Treasury yields higher.The Nasdaq tumbled 1.5% to 26,225.1, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.2% to 7,408.5. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.1% to 49,526.2. Barring energy, all sectors ended in the red, led by materials' 2.7% slump.The S&P 500 advanced 0.1% this week, marking its seventh consecutive weekly advance. The Nasdaq logged a weekly loss of 0.1% after a streak of six weekly gains. The Dow recorded a weekly loss of 0.2%.US Treasury yields surged, with the 10-year rate last up 14 basis points at 4.60% and the two-year rate rising 8.7 basis points to 4.08%.The headline consumer price index is expected to average 6% in the second quarter, according to a poll of economists by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. That's well above the 2.7% rate pegged in the previous survey, which was published in March.Earlier this week, official data showed that consumer inflation accelerated to 3.8% year over year in April, the highest print since May 2023. Energy prices rose nearly 18%, the highest since September 2022.West Texas Intermediate crude was last up 4.7% at $105.89 a barrel, while Brent climbed 3.6% to $109.57.Talks between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, this week failed to improve the prospects of a US-Iran peace deal.RBC Capital Markets sees no imminent diplomatic breakthrough."There seems to be an emerging consensus that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen in June because the cost of continued closure will be too high," RBC said in a note emailed Friday. "We are very skeptical of a June grand reopening."In economic news, US industrial production rebounded more than projected in April, buoyed by the manufacturing and utilities categories, Federal Reserve data showed."Besides supportive fiscal policy, the (artificial intelligence) buildout will continue to lift production of computers and electronics, while an inventory restocking cycle will support new orders growth for factories," Oxford Economics said in a note.New York manufacturing activity grew at the fastest pace in more than four years this month amid robust new orders, the New York Fed reported.Gold was last down 3.1% at $4,540.30 per troy ounce, while silver slid nearly 11% to $76.21 per ounce.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500
Inflation Seen at 6% This Quarter, Above 2% in Long Term, Philadelphia Fed Survey Shows
US Markets

Inflation Seen at 6% This Quarter, Above 2% in Long Term, Philadelphia Fed Survey Shows

US annual consumer inflation is expected to reach 6% in the ongoing quarter and remain above 2% in the long term, a poll of economists by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showed Friday.The headline consumer price index is expected to average 6% in the second quarter, according to the Fed branch's latest quarterly Survey of Professional Forecasters. That's well above the 2.7% rate pegged in the previous survey, which was published in March.In the years through 2035, the forecasters now project headline CPI at 2.40%, up from the 2.30% rate expected previously, the Friday survey showed.Earlier this week, official data showed that consumer inflation accelerated to 3.8% year over year in April, the highest print since May 2023. Energy prices rose nearly 18%, the highest since September 2022.Energy prices have soared as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut following the US-Israel war with Iran that started at the end of February. The strait is the world's most important chokepoint for crude flows. US President Donald Trump recently rejected Iran's counteroffer to end the war, though a fragile ceasefire between the two countries appears to be holding.Economists now expect 2026 headline CPI at 3.5%, compared with the previous forecast of 2.6%, the Philly Fed report showed Friday. Full-year core CPI -- which excludes the volatile food and energy components -- is projected at 2.9%, up from 2.6% previously.Late last month, the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee kept its policy rate unchanged for a third consecutive meeting, saying the Middle East conflict is fueling uncertainty about the US economic outlook.The world's largest economy is now projected to grow 2.2% this year, slower than the previous estimate of 2.5%, according to the Philly Fed's survey of 33 economists."The forecasters see the risk of a contraction in real (gross domestic product) this quarter at 17.9%, down from the previous estimate of 20.9%," according to the report. "However, they have increased their probability estimates for negative growth for the following three quarters, compared with their estimates in the survey of three months ago."Economists now forecast 2026 unemployment rate at 4.4%, down from the previously projected 4.5%, the survey showed.

Oil Rises as US-Iran Deal Uncertainty Persists Following Trump-Xi Summit
US Markets

Oil Rises as US-Iran Deal Uncertainty Persists Following Trump-Xi Summit

Crude oil prices rose Friday as talks between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, failed to improve the prospects of a US-Iran peace deal.Brent advanced 3.4% to $109.28 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures were last up 4.2% at $105.37.Trump and Xi met in Beijing this week, with trade and the Iran war key parts of the agenda.Trump told Fox News on Thursday that Xi offered to help ensure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil chokepoint. China didn't publicly confirm or deny that claim."China always believes that dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a statement Friday regarding the Iran war. "Now that the door of dialogue has been opened, it should not be shut again."Trump reportedly said China agreed to purchase more oil from the US. When asked about that, Jiakun said "China stands ready to work with all sides to ensure global energy security and keep global industrial and supply chains stable."A fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran appears to be holding, though the two sides are yet to finalize a framework on a deal despite a series of talks. Trump recently rejected Iran's counteroffer to end the war."I am not gonna be much more patient," Trump told Fox News. "They should make a deal."RBC Capital Markets is skeptical of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough."There seems to be an emerging consensus that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen in June because the cost of continued closure will be too high," RBC said in a note emailed Friday. "We are very skeptical of a June grand reopening."Earlier in the week, the International Energy Agency projected a sharper decline in global oil demand this year than previously expected as the Middle East conflict drives up energy prices. Separately, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries lowered its oil demand growth forecast for 2026.