Guess to Go Private as Authentic Brands Buys for $1.4 Billion

Guess goes private. Authentic Brands has reached an agreement including co-founders Maurice and Paul Marciano and CEO Carlos Alberini to acquire 51% of the U.S. fashion company. The current shareholders will own the remainder of the company, which, as a result, will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Under the agreement, Guess obtains a valuation of around $1.4 billion, including its debt. Shareholders will receive 16.75 euros per share, representing a 26% premium over Tuesday’s close. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.

Authentic Brands announced its willingness to bid for Guess in April, in a proposal that directly rivaled that launched by fellow U.S. group WHP Global in mid-March. At the time, the bid valued Guess at $751.5 million.

The deal will go ahead in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026

Guess joins Authentic Brands’ extensive portfolio of brands, including Champion, Reebok and Forever 21. Authentic Brands is also part of the Catalyst Brands joint venture of giants, along with Simon Property, Brookfield and Shein.

The U.S. fashion company, which ended its last full year on February 1st, posted sales of 2.87 billion, up 7.7% on the previous year. Despite increasing sales, however, Guess’ profit plunged to $60.4 million, a figure three times lower than the previous year.

The deal adds to the long list of M&A (mergers & acquisitions) that the international fashion world continues to register. Among the latest, the 3G Capital deal to take Skechers private, the announcement by Dick’s Sporting Goods to acquire Foot Locker and the purchase of Dockers by Authentic Brands itself from Levi Strauss earlier this year.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}