M&A moved to the fore this week with a couple of high value transactions and several smaller tuck-in deals. Ahead of its Investor Day this week, simulation software provider ANSYS (ANSS) agreed to acquire Livermore Software Technology Corporation (“LSTC”) for $775 million in cash and stock, representing an EV/Sales multiple of 12.4x based on the midpoint of expected contribution in 2020.
Read MoreFollowing a 13D/A filing by controlling shareholder Dell Technologies (DELL) disclosing merger discussions, Pivotal Software (PVTL) confirmed that the company is negotiating an agreement to be acquired by VMware (VMW) for $15.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of nearly 81% to the close price prior to the disclosure.
Read MoreAfter an on-again, off-again courtship, Broadcom (AVGO) and Symantec (SYMC) finally sealed the deal, albeit on a more limited basis than first rumored. Rather than acquiring the company outright, Broadcom will acquire Symantec’s Enterprise Security assets, including the Symantec brand, for $10.7 billion in cash.
Read MoreMay the 4th be with you on this Star Wars Day. We were treated to another heavy dose of earnings this week, but we begin as always with a few strategic moves.
Read MoreM&A activity slowed somewhat, but this week still saw two notable transactions. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) announced plans to acquire Demisto, a leader in security orchestration, automation and response solutions, for $560MM in a cash and stock deal.
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