(AOF) – ESI Group and Keysight Technologies announce the signing of the share transfer agreement relating to the acquisition by Keysight Technologies of a majority stake in the capital of ESI Group SA at the price of 155 euros per share. This progress is made possible by the finalization of the consultation, on September 19, 2023, of the social and economic committee (CSE) of ESI Group. The acquisition is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to obtaining required regulatory approvals.
“This step would be followed by the submission of the tender offer. The market will be kept informed of the developments of this transaction and a detailed announcement will be made in due course, if necessary,” said a press release.
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Beautiful dynamic
According to the latest Truffle 100 ranking, the sector’s total turnover in France jumped 15% last year to cross the 25 billion euro mark. The sector has benefited from an unprecedented growth rate and confirms its recovery after the health crisis. The average annual growth over fifteen years is 12 times higher than that of GDP! Dassault Systèmes retains first place with more than 5.6 billion euros in revenue last year. Cegid, specialist in software for accountants, and the fintech Murex are placed in second and third position with respectively 791 and 711 million euros in turnover. Polarization is one of the characteristics of the sector: the gap in turnover between the 50th and the 100th publisher has increased further in 2022 to reach almost 28 million euros. Performance was improved as the profitability rate (as a percentage of turnover) increased from 9.1% to 10.4%. The outlook is good because artificial intelligence, seen as revolutionary, is expected to drive the market in 2023, as is cybersecurity.