US investment giant Bain Capital, LP remained the only candidate to acquire Swiss software solutions provider SoftwareONE Holding AG (SWX:SWON) after other bidders had withdrawn from the race, Reuters reported on December 7, 2023, citing unnamed sources. At least four companies, including Bain and private equity firm Apax Partners among others, reportedly submitted non-binding offers to buy Softwareone after the Swiss firm launched in July a strategic review. Bain proposed between CHF 19.50 and CHF 20.50 per share, with the bid valuing Softwareone at up to CHF 3.2 billion (USD 3.66 billion/EUR 3.39 billion).

However, it is not certain whether Bain is still able to offer the same amount in view of the Swiss firm?s latest financial results. Softwareone started to evaluate strategic options in July after turning down two previous takeover offers from Bain. The investor was originally proposing CHF 18.50 per share, or a total of CHF 2.93 billion.

Later, the US company sweetened the bid to between CHF 19.50 and CHF 20.50 per share, depending on various conditions.