Guess Goes Private With Authentic Brands in $1.4 Billion Deal

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Summary

  • Authentic Brands will acquire a majority stake in Guess? Inc. for $1.4 billion USD, including debt. The deal is expected to close in the final quarter of fiscal year 2026.
  • Following the announcement, Guess’ shares increased by over 25%. Authentic Brands will own 51% of the company’s intellectual property.

Authentic Brands has reached an agreement to acquire a significant portion of Guess? Inc., valued at approximately $1.4 billion USD, which includes debt. As reported by Reuters, 51% of Guess’s intellectual property will now be jointly owned by Authentic Brands in collaboration with co-founders Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano, as well as the current CEO Carlos Alberini. This deal has led to a surge in the company’s share price, with early trading seeing an increase of over 25%, reaching $16.77. This positive movement represents a much-needed boost after a challenging financial year for the company.

Now, Guess has become part of an esteemed brand family that already includes Reebok, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Sperry, and more recently, Dockers. Previously, it was discussed that Guess might acquire a significant portion of the company from WHP Global in April 2025, but this move seems to have taken place instead.

Before the deal announcement, its co-founders and CEO together owned roughly 40.18% of the company, with Paul Marciano holding 28%, according to data compiled by LSEG. WHP Global offered a $13-per-share take-private offer to Guess, which evaluated the proposal and decided against the move.

Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the special committee, shared, “The special committee evaluated a number of potential options and unanimously determined that the transaction with Authentic and (existing shareholders) is the best path forward for Guess.”
The deal is expected to close in the final quarter of fiscal year 2026.
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2025-08-20 18:55