Should You Buy Walgreens Boots Alliance Stock Before It Goes Private?

Core Viewpoint - Walgreens Boots Alliance is set to be acquired by Sycamore Partners for a total of $23.7 billion, including debt, with the deal expected to close by the end of the year [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The equity value of the acquisition is approximately $10 billion, with Sycamore paying $11.45 per share for Walgreens [1] - Shareholders may receive an additional $3 per share if Sycamore sells Walgreens' primary care operations, potentially raising the total value to $14.45 per share, representing a 26% gain [3] Group 2: Market Reaction - Walgreens stock closed at $11.10, which is about 3% below the purchase price of $11.45, indicating that the market has already priced in the acquisition [2] - The small difference between the current stock price and the acquisition price suggests a high level of confidence in the deal's completion [2] Group 3: Risks and Considerations - The potential for profit exists, but the acquisition price creates a ceiling on stock value, limiting upside potential [4] - Historical examples, such as Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, illustrate that market hesitance can lead to stock price fluctuations until confidence in the deal solidifies [5][6] - Walgreens shares have declined over 75% in the past five years, and the company is undergoing a challenging turnaround, which may complicate its future performance [7] Group 4: Investment Outlook - While there may be a small profit opportunity, the overall risk associated with investing in Walgreens is significant, especially compared to other stocks with better growth potential [9][10]