Itochu Corp. is making a significant move to acquire 38.2% of Dentsu Soken shares, with the deal estimated at roughly 250 billion yen (approximately $1.7 billion USD). This acquisition is part of a plan by Dentsu Group, Dentsu Soken's parent company, to take Dentsu Soken private. Dentsu Group currently holds 61.8% of Dentsu Soken shares and has been looking to privatize the subsidiary to resolve parent-child listing issues.
The privatization process involved a bidding procedure during the summer, where Itochu's offer surpassed that of Fujitsu, another prominent contender. This move will result in Dentsu Soken becoming a privately held company, with Itochu and Dentsu Group as its primary owners.
Dentsu Soken, established in 1975 as a joint venture between Dentsu and General Electric, has a current market value of $3.3 billion. Its shares have seen substantial growth, increasing by 2.2% year-to-date, 24% over the last 12 months, and 76% over the last five years. In the first half of 2026, Dentsu Soken reported a 16% increase in net profit, reaching a record high, which further highlights its value to the acquiring parties. The delisting comes amid broader efforts by Dentsu Group to streamline its corporate structure.
