Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. said Tuesday it has agreed to be acquired by private-equity firms SilverLake and P2 Capital Partners for about $3.5 billion in cash. Shareholders of Blackhawk, which operates a physical and digital gift card and prepaid payments network, will receive $45.25 a share in cash, equal to a 24% premium over Blackhawk’s closing share price of $36.50 on Jan. 12. The deal has debt and equity financing, including an about $1.7 billion equity commitment from Silver Lake, and is expected to close by mid-2018. Blackhawk has the right to solicit and receive alternative bids through Feb. 9. Shares jumped 23% after a trading halt was lifted premarket, but have fallen 2.5% in the last 12 months through Friday, while the S&P 500 has gained 22%.
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