Salesforce Makes Landmark Enterprise SaaS Acquisition of MuleSoft

• Cloud computing giant Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM) acquired cloud-based application integration firm Mulesoft (NYSE: MULE) for $6.5 Billion last Tuesday. The San Francisco-based software company offers an application integration platform that will connect applications, data sources, and devices via application programming interfaces (APIs). According to TechGenix, Mulesoft's chief product is its Anypoint platform, which enables integration between SaaS applications, microservices, and APIs. Analysts with TechGenix believe the cloud transaction focuses on the key drivers for enterprise data integration: improve collaboration, modernize applications, make data more valuable, and provide a 360-degree view of the customer.

• Aricent, a portfolio company of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, was acquired by Altran Technologies (PAR: ALT) for EUR 1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) last Tuesday. Originally named Hughes Software Systems of India, the firm rebranded after being taken over by private equity firms. Aricent provides integrated consultancy, design, and development services via business process outsourcing (BPO) systems integration and user-interface platform services to telecom operators and vendors. The Santa Clara, CA-based company offers a portfolio of communications equipment products, communications devices, and services for the communications industry, including wireline, wireless, cable, and satellite services.

• Last Thursday, Uniondale, New York-based OpenLink Financial was acquired by ION Investment Group, whose financial sponsor is The Carlyle Group, for roughly $1.0 billion. The acquirers hope to expand ION's footprint across the energy, financial services, and commodities industries with OpenLink's trading, operational, and risk management software.

• Last Monday, the Stewart Information Services - Title Guaranty Corp. (NYSE: STC) reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by its competitor, Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF) for $1.09 billion. The Houston-based company and its subsidiaries offer both residential and commercial title insurance for the real estate and mortgage industries. According to HousingWire, Fidelity is one of the nation’s largest title insurance and settlement services providers, and the proposed merger will significantly consolidate the title insurance market. In addition to being one of the largest title insurance firms, Stewart also provides appraisal and valuation services to clients within the real estate industry.

• Last Wednesday, AdsWizz agreed to be acquired by Pandora Radio for $145 million in cash. The San Mateo, CA-based firm provides advertisement and audience measurement services within the media industry. According to TechCrunch, the tech firm offers an end-to-end technology platform that facilitates music platforms, podcasts and broadcasting groups. Cox Media Group, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Entercom, Omnicom Media Group, Spotify, Deezer, PodcastOne, and GroupM are among AdsWizz's current customers.

• Last Thursday, The Weather Channel, previously owned by Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), Blackstone Group, and Bain Capital, was acquired by Entertainment Studios for $300 million. Having been originally owned by the closely held Landmark Communications, The Weather Channel had been acquired by NBCUniversal (later to be sold from GE to Comcast), Blackstone, and Bain for $3.5 billion in 2008. The Atlanta-based weather forecasting provider will join eight other cable networks owned by Byron Allen.

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Leveraged Buyouts Continue to Flood the Public Markets

• On March 19th, Claire's Stores, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after struggling to pay interest on its $2 billion debt load. The following day, the provider of fashionable jewelry, apparel, and accessories for young teens and women, agreed to be purchased via a $575-million LBO led by Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital. 

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