IBM Out, Oracle In. Oracle to Buy Sun for $7.4 Billion

Posted 04/20/2009 at 7:29am | by Paul Lilly

5

Comments

Print

Takeover talks between IBM and Sun appear to have come to an end for good, assuming stockholder approval for a $7.4 billion acquisition deal. But it's Oracle, and not IBM, who made the winning bid, and according to CNet, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sun common stock for $9.50 per share.

"We expect this acquisition to be accretive to Oracle's earnings by at least 15 cents on a non-GAAP basis in the first full year after closing," said Safra Catz, Oracle President. "We estimate that the acquired business will contribute over $1.5 billion to Oracle's non-GAAP operating profit in the first year, increasing to over $2 billion in the second year."

IBM had previously entered into negotiations with Sun, offering up a deal worth about $7 billion. But Sun refused the offer, in part because it felt the bid wasn't enough, but mostly the company was concerned IBM would bail if the potential deal resulted in an antitrust review.

The deal between Oracle and Sun is expected to close this summer, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals.

Image Credit: Flickr AnGel!