Guess? Inc. (GES) entered a merger agreement on August 20, 2025, to be taken private by Authentic Brands Group, along with Co-Founders Maurice and Paul Marciano and CEO Carlos Alberini, in a deal valued at $1.4 billion.
Guess? shareholders will receive $16.75 per share in cash, representing a premium of 25.56% from the stock’s last close.
Guess is a global fashion and lifestyle brand that designs, markets, and distributes apparel, accessories, and licensed products through its own stores, wholesale partners, and online channels in about 100 countries.
Authentic Brands is a global brand management company that owns and grows more than 50 iconic names, including Reebok, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Sports Illustrated, and Marilyn Monroe, partnering with operators worldwide to expand their reach and retail presence.
In March, Guess? received a non-binding proposal from WHP Global to acquire the company for $13 per share in cash. The stock was trading at $9.70 before the bid was announced.
Authentic will buy 51% of Guess?’s trademarks and other intellectual property, while the shareholder group–including Maurice, Paul, and Nicolai Marciano, as well as CEO Carlos Alberini–will keep 49%. Guess?’s current management will continue running the business and keep full ownership of its operating company.
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Guess?’s 2026 fiscal year, ending January 2026.
The transaction will be funded through a mix of rollover equity from the Rolling Stockholders and cash contributions from Authentic.
Guess? plans to continue paying a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share until the deal is completed.
Guess? is being advised by O’Melveny & Myers and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. Authentic is being advised by J.P. Morgan Securities as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins as legal counsel.
Authentic Brands is paying 9.57 times EBITDA for Guess?.
For a more comprehensive overview of this M&A transaction, please visit the Deal Metrics page at the following link:
Deal Metrics for the acquisition of Guess Inc. (GES) by Authentic Brands Group, Co-Founders, and CEO
The Deal Metrics page provides detailed insights into each merger or acquisition, such as:
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Please conduct your own due diligence before buying or selling any securities mentioned herein. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data or content provided in this article.
Editor’s Note: Baranjot Kaur contributed to this article