Authentic Brands Acquires Majority Stake in Guess? Inc. for $1.4 Billion USD
Shares Soar by Over 25% Following Announcement
Authentic Brands has made a major move in the fashion industry, acquiring a majority stake in Guess? Inc. for a whopping $1.4 billion USD, including debt. The deal, which is expected to close in the final quarter of fiscal year 2026, has caused Guess’ shares to skyrocket by more than 25%.
Under this new partnership, Authentic Brands will now own 51% of Guess’ intellectual property, joining the ranks of other iconic brands such as Reebok, Brooks Brothers, Nautica, Sperry, and most recently, Dockers. This acquisition marks a change from Guess’ previous talks with WHP Global to gain a major stake in the company in April 2025.
According to Reuters, the deal will see Authentic Brands working closely with founders Maurice Marciano and Paul Marciano, as well as current CEO Carlos Alberini. Before the announcement, the co-founders and CEO together owned roughly 40.18% of the company, with Paul Marciano holding 28%.
The decision to partner with Authentic Brands has been met with enthusiasm from investors, with shares currently trading at $16.77. This is a welcome adjustment for Guess after a tough year financially.
Alex Yemenidjian, chairman of the special committee, shared, “The special committee evaluated a number of potential options and unanimously determined that the transaction with Authentic and (existing shareholders) is the best path forward for Guess.”
Stay tuned to Hypebeast for the latest fashion industry insights as this exciting partnership unfolds.
