Preliminary takeover proposals have been lodged by funds managed by Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and KKR, valuing the group at a notable £1.3 billion. This marks a significant move in the broader trend of technology-focused acquisitions, with the data analytics sector becoming a hotbed of consolidation.

With private equity activity ramping up across high-margin technology and business intelligence, the proposals highlight the growing demand for scalable, data-driven assets. For Advisor’s Gateway readers, this development warrants a deeper look as GlobalData and its competitors become focal points for M&A activity.

Details of the Proposal Timelines

GlobalData has confirmed that its board is reviewing the proposals from the two firms. While the offers remain conditional and subject to further due diligence, a decision is expected by the close of Q2 2025. This timeline allows the board ample time to consider strategic paths, including continuing independently or accepting one of these bids.

Private equity firms KKR and ICG are not new players to the data space. Their ability to deliver capital and operational expertise makes them strong contenders in navigating GlobalData’s growth ambitions. With both having an eye on sourcing competitive returns in the data and analytics sector, the bidding war could intensify, adding momentum to share pricing in coming months.

Implied Valuation and Competitive Benchmarking

The preliminary £1.3 billion valuation translates to an Enterprise Value (EV)/EBITDA multiple of ~10×, slightly below the sector’s peer average of approximately 12×. By comparison:

RELX trades at ~15×, IHS Markit at ~12.5×, and GfK at ~11×. The disparity may create room for additional upside, as private-equity suitors highlight operational efficiencies or scaling possibilities to justify their bids.

GlobalData’s Growing Strategic Value

GlobalData has carved out a niche in delivering business-critical insights across industries like healthcare, consumer goods, and technology. Its deep datasets, analytical tools, and subscription-based revenues align well with private equity’s hunt for scalable, high-margin digital businesses.

With the global analytics market projected to grow at a CAGR of 12 percent through 2030, firms like GlobalData are ideally positioned for capital investment that can unlock new value streams. This strategic potential explains why private equity giants are circling.

Other Data Players in the M&A Crosshairs

GlobalData is not the only attractive target in the data and analytics industry. Several other firms hold strong value propositions:

RELX

RELX remains a global leader in legal, scientific, and risk-related analytics, leveraging AI for predictive use cases.

IHS Markit (S&P Global subsidiary)

IHS Markit’s data solutions for finance, transportation, and energy continue to attract carve-out and integration interest post-merger with S&P Global.

GfK

GfK specialises in consumer and market intelligence, combining traditional survey data with advanced analytics for retail trend tracking.

Actionable Investment Insights

1. Go Long on GlobalData

The momentum from private-equity takeover propositions could drive GlobalData’s stock higher before the Q2 2025 decision deadline. Counter-bids or sweetened offers may follow, amplifying short-term returns.

2. Short Overvalued Rivals

While GlobalData trades below peer multiples, some competitors like RELX and S&P Global may soften as investors refocus on competitive dynamics. A long-short strategy balances upside capture with hedging sector risk.

What’s Next?

For executives in technology, private equity, or data management, trends in M&A activity are critical to assess when positioning strategy. GlobalData’s evolving takeover saga is a key event to follow as the industry sees heightened transaction activity.

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