Group 1 - Autodesk has decided to shelve its cash and stock acquisition plan for PTC Inc., which could have been one of the largest mergers in the global software industry this year [1] - Since the initial report on July 8 regarding Autodesk's interest in acquiring PTC, Autodesk's stock price has dropped over 10% [1] - As of the latest report, Autodesk's stock has rebounded by 3.45%, trading at $290.54, with a market capitalization exceeding $62.1 billion, while PTC's stock has decreased by 1.72%, trading at $190.59, with a market capitalization of approximately $22.861 billion [1] Group 2 - Autodesk emphasized in a regulatory filing that its strategic focus remains unchanged, continuing to allocate capital through organic investments, targeted acquisitions, and supplementary mergers, without specifically mentioning PTC or other potential acquisition targets [1] - The company will continue its established stock buyback plan, following pressure from activist investor Starboard Value, which has raised concerns about Autodesk's performance and accounting practices [2] - Starboard Value's main demands include significantly improving profit margins and reducing net operating expenses, which has led to market skepticism regarding Autodesk's support for the acquisition of PTC [2] - Despite facing minimal antitrust regulatory hurdles, high transaction costs, financial constraints, and opposition from Starboard Value are seen as major obstacles to the acquisition [2] - PTC, established in the 1980s, is an industrial software company with products widely used in the design and manufacturing of complex products in sectors such as aerospace, computing, and medical devices [2] - The shelving of the acquisition occurs amid a backdrop of accelerated consolidation in the industrial software industry, which is experiencing a growth phase due to the increasing demand driven by artificial intelligence technologies [2]