McAfee Readies to Sell itself

McAfee is nearing a deal to sell itself to a group including private equity firms Advent and Permira for more than $10 billion, which would value the cybersecurity company at around $25 a share.

Based in San Jose, Calif., McAfee a Cybersecurity firm making Antivirus products that protects users against computer viruses, malware and other online threats. The company’s products are used in 182 countries across more than 600 million devices, according to its website.

McAfee, which returned to the public markets in October 2020, is part-owned by private-equity firms TPG and Thoma Bravo LP and Singapore sovereign-wealth fund GIC Pte. Ltd. Intel Corp. bought McAfee in 2011 as part of a strategy to move the chip-making giant’s technology beyond computers. Intel sold a majority stake in 2017 to TPG, with Thoma Bravo investing then too. Intel still owns a small stake.

McAfee’s shares had risen modestly since the IPO before jumping roughly 20% to close at $25.46 on Friday on news of the potential deal, which was earlier reported by Bloomberg.

Security has been particularly hot as more people work remotely and several high-profile breaches affecting both consumers and businesses underscored its importance. Earlier this year, NortonLifeLock Inc. agreed to buy cybersecurity firm Avast PLC for more than $8 billion and Microsoft Corp. agreed to buy RiskIQ, a small company founded in 2009 that helps companies track their vulnerability to digital threats.

With $81 billion in assets under management, Advent has been investing in technology for more than three decades. It is based in Boston and has offices around the world.

Permira, which has €44 billion, equivalent to $51 billion, in committed capital and a global presence, also has a record of technology deals. Its portfolio company Informatica Inc., a data-management-software producer, went public last month and now sports a $10 billion market capitalization.