Juniper Networks looking to go private?

Reportedly hires Goldman Sachs to explore possibility

Juniper Networks has reportedly hired investment banker Goldman Sachs to explore taking the company private.

The development has the blessing of activist investor Elliott Management, according to the website Benzinga. Elliott owns 8.7% of Juniper and has encouraged the company to look for ways boost shareholder value through restructurings and product portfolio rationalization.

Juniper did reorganize last year at the urging of Elliott after multiple quarters of lackluster performance.

+MORE ON NETWORK WORLD: Juniper ousts CEO Kheradpir over “leadership and conduct”+

Benzinga reports that Juniper is seeking $32 per share to go private. The company’s stock stood at $29.26 as of 1pm EST Friday, Oct. 9. Juniper has 384.43 million shares outstanding, making the value of the deal $12.3 billion, $1 billion more than the company’s market capitalization.

Juniper says it doesn’t comment on “rumor and speculation.”

Juniper has been a publicly traded company since 1999. Going private, like Dell, Riverbed, BMC and Blue Coat have done, would allow the company to create financial gain for shareholders while freeing it up from the regulatory and reporting requirements of public companies.

As such, private companies can conduct and focus on business without the scrutiny, critique and pressure of Wall Street and shareholders.

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.

Tags Networkingswitchesrouters

More about DellGoldmanJuniper NetworksRiverbedWall Street

Show Comments
[]