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Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

arstechnica.com

21–30 of 69 posts

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#21
post #4

Can someone explain to me how a public company can go private and there’s no fear of outcry from the shareholders in said company? Like companies do all these evil things to please shareholders but wouldn’t many shareholders of a public company be against the transition back to private?

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Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#23
post #7
post #4

Can someone explain to me how a public company can go private and there’s no fear of outcry from the shareholders in said company? Like companies do all these evil things to please shareholders but wouldn’t many shareholders of a public company be against the transition back to private?

One thing is fiduciary duty to the shareholders, another is “pleasing the shareholders” as you describe it. Pleasing the shareholders is necessary only when displeasing them means they will sell the stock when there is no buyer. If there is a buyer, the current shareholders are less relevant — as long as management cannot be accused of not fulfilling their fiduciary duty to them.

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Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#24
post #7
post #4

Can someone explain to me how a public company can go private and there’s no fear of outcry from the shareholders in said company? Like companies do all these evil things to please shareholders but wouldn’t many shareholders of a public company be against the transition back to private?

One thing is fiduciary duty to the shareholders, another is “pleasing the shareholders” as you describe it. Pleasing the shareholders is necessary only when displeasing them means they will sell the stock when there is no buyer. If there is a buyer, the current shareholders are less relevant — as long as management cannot be accused of not fulfilling their fiduciary duty to them.

>sell the stock when there is no buyer

It's hard to imagine what you mean here: a holder of shares cannot sell them unless they find someone willing to buy.

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#25
post #3

Some EA IP I remember Battlefield Mass effect Dragon age Madden The sims Titanfall

Titanfall 2 was fun. I don't get why they cancelled the third one.

Why make something good when you can keep them in the battle royale mines?

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#26
post #17
post #4

Can someone explain to me how a public company can go private and there’s no fear of outcry from the shareholders in said company? Like companies do all these evil things to please shareholders but wouldn’t many shareholders of a public company be against the transition back to private?

Immediate 20-30% jump in stock price if shareholders approve and can reinvest anywhere else. With a huge one day gain. In some cases, preferred shareholders get even sweeter deals. If you’re an executive or board member with a tons of shares you make millions and can retire immediately (or at least after the transition you agree to is complete.)

"Immediate 20-30% jump in stock price" is not wrong, but it is clearer to say that for the acquisition to succeed, usually the acquirer must pay a 20-30% premium.

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#29
post #4

Can someone explain to me how a public company can go private and there’s no fear of outcry from the shareholders in said company? Like companies do all these evil things to please shareholders but wouldn’t many shareholders of a public company be against the transition back to private?

They generally pay a premium to the stock price before the transaction is announced, which means shareholders get more than the market value of their investment, which they can immediately roll into other investments. Usually people don't mind getting paid extra.

Exactly. There is usually a vote and then there is a premium price paid for the stock over market value.

It happened to a company I held stock in. Years later there was a litigation started with some shareholders contesting the vote process and the results.

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#30
So will this make EA less evil or more? They have shepherded so many great IPs, but also have been on the forefront of sleaze practices. There has to be plenty of money just squeezing those IPs or using the talent in making new things, but I have the feeling that we are going to see more of the same thing with super micro transactions.
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