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Are Grab (GRAB, NDAQ) and GoTo (GOTO, IDX) set to be the next Ross and Rachel from Friends or Jim and Pam from The Office?
The greatest will-they-won’t-they love story in the region’s ecosystem could be finally nearing a resolution, and this time, it may end in “I do.”
It’s been a year since rumors of merger talks between these two giants last emerged, and they seem to have started back up, with Grab reportedly mulling an all-share purchase that would value GoTo at more than US$7 billion.
So why are things different this time around?
For one, the financial dynamics around such a deal have changed, with Grab’s shares up significantly over the last year, while GoTo’s have stagnated. Plus, the market now seems to be in favor: Both firms’ prices jumped on the news, unlike in 2024.
In addition, GoTo shareholders may be keen to make an exit. Many of the private equity funds that invested from 2014 to 2018 are nearing the end of their fund life cycles, and limited partners could be itching for some liquidity.
After years of playing hard to get, love could be in the air.
— Peter
THE BIG STORY
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Grab-GoTo deal buzz returns: why it might be real this time
A deal could let GoTo’s investors cash out with Grab’s Nasdaq-listed shares, whose price has grown by 45% in the past year.
3 Trends to keep an eye on
Hot stocks, earnings reports, restructuring, pressure from activist investors, and more.
2 Eye-popping facts
The one you didn’t see coming
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