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Stripe-led investor group reportedly drops potential takeover of PayPal

A higher stock valuation following strong quarterly results and acquisition rumors made a leveraged buyout less feasible, according to reports.

The short version

  • A consortium including Stripe and private equity firm Advent is reportedly halting efforts to acquire PayPal.
  • A 40 percent surge in PayPal's stock price, spurred by strong quarterly earnings and deal rumors, drove up the company's valuation beyond what made a leveraged buyout attractive.
  • Although acquisition talks have ceased for now, the investor group could potentially revisit a bid in the future.

Key facts

  • A investor group led by Stripe and private equity firm Advent has halted plans to acquire PayPal.[Engadget]
  • PayPal previously rejected a reported $53 billion buyout offer made in July when its market valuation was around $40 billion.[Engadget]
  • PayPal's stock price rose 40 percent following better-than-expected quarterly financial results and takeover speculation.[Engadget]
  • PayPal CEO Enrique Lores, who took office in March, is executing a turnaround strategy that restructures the business into three distinct units focused on checkout, Venmo, and payment/crypto.[Engadget]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains uncertain whether Stripe and Advent will submit another acquisition offer for PayPal in the future.[Engadget]

Sources