Chinese sports activities attire firm Anta Sports Products Ltd. is amongst companies exploring a potential takeover of Puma SE, in accordance to folks aware of the matter.
Hong Kong-listed Anta has been working with an adviser to consider a bid for Puma, mentioned the folks, who requested not to be recognized as a result of the knowledge is personal. The firm could group up with a personal fairness agency if it decides to transfer ahead with a suggestion, a number of the folks mentioned.
Other potential bidders might embody rival Chinese attire agency Li Ning Co., the folks mentioned. Li Ning, named after the legendary gymnast who based the corporate, has been discussing financing choices with banks because it takes an early have a look at Puma, the folks mentioned. Puma may additionally entice curiosity from sportswear corporations similar to Japan’s Asics Corp., the folks mentioned.
Deliberations are preliminary and it’s unclear which suitors will proceed with bids, the folks mentioned. The valuation expectations of Puma’s greatest shareholder, France’s billionaire Pinault household, could characterize a main hurdle to any transaction, the folks mentioned. Puma shares have dropped 62 % in Frankfurt this 12 months, giving the corporate a market worth of €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion).
The Pinault household’s Artémis holding firm owned 29 % of Puma on the finish of final 12 months, in accordance to the agency’s annual report.
Anta — which owns manufacturers together with Fila and Jack Wolfskin — has gained 9 % in Hong Kong buying and selling this 12 months, giving the corporate a market worth of practically $31 billion. An Anta-led consortium, which additionally included Asian buyout agency FountainVest Partners, paid $5.2 billion in 2019 to purchase Amer Sports, the proprietor of manufacturers like Salomon and Arc’teryx.
Li Ning’s inventory has risen 7 % in 2025, for a market worth of virtually $6 billion.
A consultant for Anta didn’t reply to requests for remark, whereas representatives for Artémis, Asics and Puma declined to remark.
Responding to a Bloomberg News question, Li Ning mentioned in a assertion that it stays targeted on the expansion of its model, and hasn’t carried out any “substantive” negotiations or evaluations relating to Puma.
François-Henri Pinault, managing accomplice at Artémis, mentioned in September that the Puma stake is “interesting” however “isn’t strategic,” and that choices had been being saved open relating to the holding.
Puma has been making an attempt to revamp itself below new chief government officer Arthur Hoeld after failing to generate a lot enthusiasm for its merchandise with shoppers lately. The German agency in July appointed ex-Adidas government Andreas Hubert as chief working officer. Hubert is a 20-year veteran of Adidas who served for the previous 4 years as the corporate’s chief data officer.
By Dong Cao, Eyk Henning, Vinicy Chan, Pei Li
Learn extra:
Pinault Family Won’t Exit Puma Stake at Current Value, Source Says
Artemis, the Pinault household’s holding firm, is not going to promote its 29 % stake in Puma at its present market worth and isn’t engaged in negotiations, in accordance to a supply with data of the agency’s operations.