"Trading by FD Technologies will cease on Friday upon court order, due to a €626m sale being authorized"
### FD Technologies Sold to TA Associates for £541.6 Million
In a significant move, FD Technologies PLC, a Newry-based data and analytics company, has agreed to be acquired by Kairos Bidco Limited, a company indirectly owned by entities forming part of TA Fund XV, managed by TA Associates. The transaction, valued at around £541.6 million (€626 million), is set to be completed next Tuesday following court sanctioning and the end of share dealing on Friday in both Dublin and London.
The acquisition, first announced in May, marks the end of an era for FD Technologies, which will cease share trading on Friday. The deal follows a series of significant restructuring at the company, resulting in the sale of its former core First Derivatives division to US software group EPAM for £236.1 million last year.
The sale of FD Technologies is not a merger but a scheme of arrangement, which required court sanctioning after shareholder approval at the end of June. On June 30, 2025, FD Technologies shareholders voted in favour of the acquisition, with 91.01% of scheme shares supporting the deal, representing 77.05% of the total issued ordinary share capital entitled to vote. The High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement on July 17, 2025, paving the way for the acquisition's completion.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory clearance under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021, but the court sanction has been obtained. The effective date of the scheme is expected to be July 21, 2025, with the cancellation of FD Technologies shares from AIM and Euronext Growth Dublin planned for July 22, 2025.
FD Technologies' board urged shareholders to support the TA Associates deal, citing potential challenges in capturing opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) due to "uncertain public markets". The company will continue to focus on its remaining business, KX, which analyses large data sets in real time and helps companies predict and respond to market conditions across various business areas.
TA Associates' acquisition typically involves strategic investment and growth opportunities, which might positively affect KX's future prospects. The sale of FD Technologies could potentially lead to further strategic decisions regarding KX's focus or expansion under new ownership. However, the actual impact on KX will likely be determined by future announcements from the company or its new owners.
In January, FD Technologies returned £120 million to shareholders through a stock buyback deal, demonstrating the company's commitment to its shareholders. The acquisition by TA Associates marks a new chapter for FD Technologies, offering potential for growth and innovation in the data and analytics sector.
The acquisition of FD Technologies by TA Associates will not only mark a new chapter in the company's history, but it also opens doors for potential growth and innovation in the data and analytics sector, particularly where artificial intelligence (AI) is concerned. The sale could potentially lead to strategic decisions impacting KX, the company's remaining business that specializes in real-time data analysis and market prediction, enhancing its future prospects. This move also signals a shift in the business landscape, intertwining technology, especially AI, with finance in this significant transaction.
