The WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) share price is storming higher on Monday.
In morning trade, the logistics solutions company's shares are up over 5% to $105.72.
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Why is the WiseTech share price rising?
The catalyst for this rise has been the announcement of a major acquisition this morning.
According to the release, WiseTech has entered into a binding agreement to acquire U.S.-based E2open (NYSE: ETWO) for US$2.1 billion (A$3.25 billion).
E2open is a leading provider of SaaS-based solutions in the global logistics value chain.
It provides a connected supply chain software platform that enables companies to transform the way they make, move, and sell goods and services. The cloud-based e2open platform connects more than 500,000 manufacturing, logistics, channel, and distribution partners as one multi-enterprise network tracking over 18 billion transactions annually.
Management believes E2open will create a strategically significant change in global scale and reach for WiseTech, adding adjacent markets, customer bases, and product capabilities. This will allow WiseTech to create a global, multi-sided, trade and logistics marketplace.
The company is funding the deal with a new syndicated debt facility via a lender group comprised of a well-diversified mix of leading domestic and international banks.
Pleasingly, WiseTech Global highlights that the deal has attractive financial metrics and is expected to be earnings per share accretive in year one.
'A strategically significant step'
WiseTech Global's founder, executive chair and chief innovation officer, Richard White, was pleased with the blockbuster agreement. He said:
Acquiring e2open is a strategically significant step in achieving our expanded vision to be the operating system for global trade and logistics. E2open brings to WiseTech several well established complementary products. This will enable WiseTech to create a multi-sided marketplace that connects all trade and logistics stakeholders to efficiently offer and acquire services, removing complex disconnected processes and driving visibility, predictability and cost savings through the value chain.
E2open also expands WiseTech's product capabilities with an experienced team of people with industry expertise and innovative product development skills that will further accelerate our organic growth capability. In bringing the two companies together, we see tremendous opportunity for synergies, efficiencies, economies of scale and enhanced customer benefits, which unlocks the potential in e2open's suite of products. This is a great deal for WiseTech's business and e2open's shareholders, for all our customers, the industry and ultimately the end consumer.
The deal is not subject to e2open shareholder approval but is to customary conditions precedent. This includes applicable regulatory approvals. But if all goes to plan, it is expected to complete in the first half of 2026.
