Authentic Brands Group Acquires Guess? for $1.4B in Take-Private Deal

Guess? stock surged 24.59% pre-market after the lifestyle products company announced a take-private transaction agreement with Authentic Brands Group, valuing GES at around $1.4 billion. The definitive agreement was signed for certain existing shareholders of Guess?.

Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) saw its stock surge by 24.59% in pre-market trading on July 2, 2025, following the announcement of a definitive agreement for a take-private transaction with Authentic Brands Group LLC. The agreement, which values Guess? at approximately $1.4 billion, represents a significant premium, with the transaction expected to close in the fourth quarter of Guess?'s 2026 fiscal year [1].

Under the terms of the agreement, Authentic will acquire 51% of Guess?'s intellectual property, while the rolling shareholders, including Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano, Nicolai Marciano, and Carlos Alberini, will own 49%. Current Guess? management will continue to run the business and own 100% of the operating company. Shareholders other than the rolling shareholders will receive $16.75 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 73% to Guess?'s unaffected closing common stock price on March 14, 2025 [1].

The transaction is expected to be financed through a combination of rollover equity by the rolling shareholders and cash commitments by Authentic. Guess? expects to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 cents per share through the closing of the transaction. Upon completion, Guess?'s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market [1].

The Guess? Board of Directors, with Paul Marciano and Carlos Alberini recusing themselves, unanimously approved the proposed transaction upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee of independent and disinterested directors. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition [1].

The transaction is a strategic partnership that aims to leverage Authentic's extensive portfolio of global brands and licensing expertise to build on Guess?'s legacy as a global lifestyle brand. Authentic Brands Group, with a portfolio of over 50 brands, has a significant presence in 150 countries and generates approximately $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales [1].

Guess? designs, markets, distributes, and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear, and other related consumer products. As of May 3, 2025, Guess? directly operated 1,074 retail stores in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with partners and distributors operating an additional 527 retail stores worldwide [1].

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/guess-co-founders-maurice-and-paul-marciano-and-ceo-carlos-alberini-partner-authentic