Guess? to Go Private in $1.4 Billion Deal with Authentic Brands Group

Guess?, Inc. will be taken private in a deal valued at $1.4 billion, with shareholders receiving $16.75 per share, a 73% premium over the unaffected closing price on March 14. Authentic Brands Group will acquire 51% of Guess?' intellectual property, while co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano and CEO Carlos Alberini will retain 49%. Current management will continue to operate the business. The deal is expected to close in Q4 2026.

Guess? Inc. (GES.N) has agreed to be taken private by a group, including its co-founders, CEO, and Reebok-owner Authentic Brands Group Inc. (ABG), in a deal valuing the designer apparel brand at approximately $1.4 billion, including debt. The transaction will see ABG acquire 51% of Guess?'s intellectual property, while co-founders Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano, and CEO Carlos Alberini will retain 49%. Existing shareholders will receive $16.75 per share, a 73% premium over the unaffected closing price on March 14, 2025. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, subject to regulatory approvals [1].

The agreement stipulates that ABG will acquire a 51% stake in a new company that will own and license almost all of Guess's intellectual property rights. The remaining 49% of the shares will be taken over by Guess founders Maurice and Paul Marciano, as well as Nicolai Marciano and Carlos Alberini. The company that runs Guess's operating business will be delisted from the stock exchange and will continue to be run by current management [2].

Guess? has faced tough competition for consumer dollars and economic uncertainty, leading to a 38% drop in its stock price over the last 12 months. The deal with ABG aims to provide Guess? with greater flexibility to navigate the complex operating environment and pursue a more focused, long-term strategy [1].

The transaction is subject to customary competition approvals and majority approval from Guess's existing shareholders. ABG plans to leverage its existing global network to drive Guess's expansion into new product categories and market regions, while also reviving the brand's legendary archive [2].

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/guess-go-private-14-billion-deal-with-authentic-brands-co-founders-ceo-2025-08-20/
[2] https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/authentic-brands-group-to-acquire-intellectual-property-rights-of-guess/2025082183488