Clearlake Capital Agrees To Acquire Dun & Bradstreet For $4.1 Billion

In a significant move in the data analytics sector, Clearlake Capital Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. for $4.1 billion. The deal, announced on March 24, 2025, values Dun & Bradstreet at $9.15 per share in cash, a price that reflects confidence in the company's extensive data capabilities and market position.

Founded in the 1840s, Dun & Bradstreet is regarded as one of the oldest data and analytics providers on Wall Street, offering essential insights for business decision-making. The agreement marks the second time in seven years that Dun & Bradstreet will transition from a public to a private company. This strategic acquisition will see the company, which has a current market capitalization of approximately $3.9 billion based on its closing price prior to the announcement, taken off the public stock markets.

As part of the deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, Dun & Bradstreet will enter a 30-day 'go-shop' period during which it will entertain other acquisition proposals. This clause aims to ensure that shareholders receive the best possible deal, although there's no guarantee that other candidates will emerge. Market speculation has already identified potential suitors, including multiple private equity firms such as Veritas Capital Fund Management, expressing interest prior to this final agreement.

Anthony Jabbour, CEO of Dun & Bradstreet, expressed optimism about the acquisition, highlighting the company's recent strategic transformations that have led to significant financial growth and reduced leverage. Jabbour stated, "Dun & Bradstreet's acquisition will leverage our unique data assets to benefit customers and enable further evolution and growth." He anticipates that, with the backing of Clearlake, Dun & Bradstreet will continue to enhance its data offerings and explore innovative AI-enabled solutions.

Clearlake Capital, which manages over $90 billion in assets, intends to synergize with Dun & Bradstreet's existing management team to bolster the company's capabilities. Behdad Eghbali and James Pade, co-founders of Clearlake, emphasized the importance of Dun & Bradstreet's trusted brand and robust analytics, saying, "The trusted brand and extensive data analytics capabilities of Dun & Bradstreet are compelling, and we look forward to partnering with the existing management team to explore AI-enabled solutions for a global customer base." This collaboration reflects a growing trend in the technology and data sectors, where partnerships are increasingly focused on leveraging vast resources for enhanced customer solutions.

Overall, the acquisition resonates within the broader context of ongoing consolidation in the technology and analytics space, driven by the constant demand for comprehensive data capabilities among businesses. As firms increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, Dun & Bradstreet's enhanced offerings under Clearlake's stewardship may position it strongly to capitalize on future opportunities.

This latest development is also a point of interest for investors, particularly given that analysts have mixed opinions on Dun & Bradstreet's latest financial performance. While recent reports indicate that the company fell short of earnings and revenue forecasts in the fourth quarter of 2024, analysts have maintained a cautious optimism highlighted by potential value creation through mergers and acquisitions. They note that despite these challenges, the capabilities and position of Dun & Bradstreet, enhanced by this acquisition, could prove beneficial in the long-term.

As the deal progresses and regulatory approvals are sought, stakeholders across the industry will be closely monitoring how this acquisition unfolds and what it means for the future landscape of data analytics. For now, Dun & Bradstreet stands on the verge of a new chapter, poised for further evolution in a rapidly changing marketplace.