Mubadala Capital Explores Purchase of Clear Channel Outdoor, Shares Surge 27%

Clear Channel Outdoor's shares jumped 27% after a report that Mubadala Capital is exploring a potential takeover of the billboard company. Mubadala Investment Co.'s asset management arm has been working on the purchase, but no deal has been finalized. The company's valuation has increased following the news, but the exact terms of the potential acquisition are unknown.

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (CCO) experienced a significant surge in its share price, rising by 27%, following a report that Mubadala Capital is exploring a potential acquisition of the billboard company. The asset management arm of Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Co., has been working on a potential purchase of Clear Channel Outdoor, according to a Seeking Alpha report.

The report cited sources familiar with the matter, indicating that talks are ongoing and Mubadala may decide not to proceed with the deal. Clear Channel Outdoor has a market capitalization of over $700 million and approximately $6.4 billion in debt, according to a Bloomberg report. The company's shares rose 9.5% on Friday, giving it a market value of $773 million.

The news comes amid pressure from activist investor Anson Funds Management for Clear Channel Outdoor to pursue a sale. The potential acquisition by Mubadala Capital represents the firm's latest sign of global ambitions. Mubadala Capital has been active in dealmaking, including selling a minority stake in itself to TWG Global and acquiring Canadian mutual fund manager CI Financial Corp.

Dealmaking in the outdoor advertising sector has been heating up, with an investor group led by I Squared Capital planning a bid for German media group Ströer SE & Co.'s core advertising business, valued at €3.5 billion ($4.1 billion). Additionally, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has become a shareholder in Clear Channel rival Lamar Advertising.

The exact terms of the potential acquisition of Clear Channel Outdoor by Mubadala Capital remain unknown. Clear Channel Outdoor and Mubadala Capital have declined to comment on the matter. As negotiations continue, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor the developments for any updates.