(Washington) The action of Peloton climbed Friday evening on Wall Street in the exchanges following the close of the Stock Exchange, around rumors on the takeover of the specialist in exercise bikes and high-end treadmills by the giant Amazon.
Posted at 9:25 p.m.
Shortly before 8 p.m., the action took 26.42% to 31.10 dollars.
Several American media reported on Amazon’s interest in Peloton, which is going through an unprecedented crisis, after being carried by the health crisis and its restrictions.
“Amazon has discussed a potential deal with advisers,” the Wall Street Journal said on Friday, citing close sources, adding that “there is no guarantee that the e-commerce giant will follow up on an offer or that Peloton, which is working with its own advisers, will be receptive”.
Other potential buyers are interested, but no deal is imminent, according to the business daily, which mentions that if there is a transaction, “it could be significant, given Peloton’s market value of around $8 billion. , down sharply from its peak of around $50 billion about a year ago.”
Activist investor Blackwells Capital recently demanded the immediate departure of Peloton CEO and co-founder John Foley and the sale of the company.
This shareholder accuses John Foley of having deceived investors about Peloton’s capital needs, of having been unable to anticipate consumer demand or of having hired his wife for a management role.
He wants the company to be sold to a group specializing in technology, video on demand, metaverse or sports equipment, citing as examples Apple, Disney, Sony and Nike.
Peloton, which is one of the companies that benefited the most from confinements and health restrictions in 2020, did not know how to manage the exit from the pandemic well. Its stock has fallen more than 75% last year and almost 25% since January.
Faced with falling demand, the group also recently confirmed a “recalibration of (its) production”, associated with layoffs.
Its quarterly results are due out on Tuesday.