The stock will trade on the merger arbitrage spread between the current price and the $38.50 offer. Monitor for shareholder vote timing, regulatory clearance (antitrust, CFIUS), and any competing bids. The deal is expected to close by end of calendar 2026. The earnings beat is secondary to the acquisition premium.
Price Chart
Executive Summary
LiveRamp reported a massive Q4 FY2026 GAAP EPS beat of $1.12 vs $0.50 consensus (124% beat), driven by a $50.5M deferred tax valuation allowance release. Revenue of $206M was in line with the $205.6M consensus. The headline event is the definitive agreement to be acquired by Publicis Groupe for $38.50/share in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.5B equity, a 30% premium to the last closing price. The stock will trade on the deal spread until close, expected by end of calendar 2026.
Key Financial Metrics
Key Facts
- LiveRamp entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Publicis Groupe for $38.50/share in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of $2.5B.
- The $38.50/share offer represents a 30% premium to the May 15, 2026 closing price.
- Q4 FY2026 GAAP diluted EPS was $1.12, compared to consensus of $0.50 (124% beat), but this was heavily influenced by a $50.5M deferred tax valuation allowance release.
- Q4 FY2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.52, compared to consensus of $0.50 (4% beat).
- Q4 FY2026 total revenue was $206M, up 9% YoY and in line with the $205.6M consensus.
- Q4 FY2026 subscription revenue was $158M, up 9% YoY.
- Q4 FY2026 ARR was $545M, up 8% YoY.
- Q4 FY2026 subscription net retention improved to 107%.
- FY2026 record operating cash flow of $168M and share repurchases of $194M.
- No financial guidance was provided due to the pending acquisition.
- Transaction expected to close by end of calendar 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Financial Impact
Equity value of $2.5B at $38.50/share, a 30% premium to the unaffected price. The deal is all-cash, so shareholders receive a fixed price.
Risk Factors
- Transaction may not close due to failure to obtain shareholder approval or regulatory clearances.
- A superior competing bid could emerge, but the all-cash nature and 30% premium make this less likely.
- Delay in closing beyond calendar 2026 could create opportunity cost for shareholders.
- Integration risks post-close could affect Publicis Groupe, but LiveRamp shareholders are cashed out.
Market Snapshot
Investment Themes
Documents Analyzed
This report is based on 1 press release from GlobeNewswire.
| Document | Accession Number |
|---|---|
| PRESS-RELEASE Data (Synthetic) | press-3296257 |
Filters
| Type | Now | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 20, 2026 6w ago | 8-K | $37.58 $37.61 | ▲ +0.08% | ▲ +0.61% | $37.67 (+0.24%) |
Aug 17, 2026 6w ago | 8-K | $37.43 $37.87 | ▲ +1.18% | ▲ +2.92% | $37.67 (+0.64%) |
Aug 10, 2026 7w ago | DEFA14A / 8-K | $37.75 $37.74 | ▼ −0.03% | ▲ +0.89% | $37.67 (−0.21%) |
Jul 22, 2026 10w ago | Press Release | $37.68 $37.65 | ▼ −0.08% | ▼ −3.39% | $37.67 (−0.03%) |
Jul 6, 2026 12w ago | DEFM14A | $37.54 $37.87 | ▲ +0.88% | ▲ +1.44% | $37.67 (+0.35%) |
Jun 24, 2026 14w ago | PREM14A | $37.45 $37.66 | ▲ +0.56% | ▼ −1.37% | $37.67 (+0.59%) |
Jun 4, 2026 17w ago | DEFA14A | $37.42 $37.54 | ▲ +0.32% | ▼ −1.54% | $37.67 (+0.67%) |
Jun 3, 2026 17w ago | DEFA14A | $37.40 $37.73 | ▲ +0.88% | ▲ +1.88% | $37.67 (+0.72%) |
May 18, 2026 19w ago | DEFA14A | $37.77 $37.61 | ▼ −0.42% | ▼ −2.00% | $37.67 (−0.26%) |
May 18, 2026 19w ago | DEFA14A | $37.77 $37.61 | ▼ −0.42% | ▼ −2.00% | $37.67 (−0.26%) |
US Market Status
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