Shares of German athletic footwear and apparel company Puma (DE:PUM) rallied more than 15% on speculation of a potential acquisition by Chinese sports apparel company Anta Sports Products (HK:2020). Bloomberg reported that Anta has been evaluating a bid for Puma with an adviser.
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Puma Stock Rises on News of Takeover Speculation
Anta Sports may reportedly collaborate with a private equity firm to acquire Puma. Anta, which owns brands such as Fila and Jack Wolfskin, led a consortium that acquired Amer Sports for $5.2 billion in 2019.
Sources said that other potential bidders could include Chinese clothing company Li Ning (HK:2331) and Japanese sportswear company Asics (JP:7936). However, sources cautioned that discussions have just started, and it’s uncertain which interested parties will move forward with bids. Also, they think that high valuation expectations of France’s Pinault family, Puma’s biggest shareholder, could be a major obstacle to any deal. According to Puma’s annual report, the Pinault family’s Artémis holding company had a 29% stake as of the end of 2024.
PUMA stock has plunged more than 50% year-to-date as the company has been losing ground to competition. Puma is trying to revive its business under its new CEO, Arthur Hoeld. In October, Hoeld announced several initiatives, including enhanced marketing efforts and job cuts, to help the company return to growth in 2027.
Is Puma Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Amid weak sales and tariff woes, Puma stock scores a Hold consensus rating based on 13 Holds, four Buys, and one Sell recommendation. The average PUM stock price target of €21.58 indicates 10.3% upside potential.
