Guess Goes Private With Authentic Brands in $1.4 Billion Deal
The parent company of Reebok, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Sperry, and Dockers.
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 agreed to buy a majority stake in Guess? Inc. at a value of $1.4 billion USD, including debt. According to Reuters, 51% of all Guess‘ intellectual property will be owned by Authentic Brands in partnership with founders Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano, as well as current CEO Carlos Alberini. The company’s shares increased by more than 25% in early trading, clocking in at $16.77 — a welcome adjustment from a tough year financially.
Guess now joins the authentic brand family, which includes Reebok, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Sperry, and most recently, Dockers. The move is a change from its earlier talks with WHP Global to gain a major stake in the company in April 2025.
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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