Ziff Davis Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD) entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Connectivity division to Accenture for $1.2 billion in cash. The deal, announced on March 3, 2026, will close in the coming months subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
The Connectivity unit, which includes well‑known brands such as Ookla, Speedtest, Ekahau, Downdetector and RootMetrics, generated roughly $231 million in revenue in 2025, representing about 16 % of Ziff Davis’s total sales. The unit is a high‑margin, subscription‑driven business that has become a cornerstone of network performance measurement worldwide.
Ziff Davis said the sale unlocks shareholder value and allows the company to concentrate on its core digital media and technology businesses. CEO Vivek Shah described the transaction as a “transformative deal” that “represents a significant realization of value for our shareholders and a concrete illustration of the quality of the businesses in our portfolio.” The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and to fund future acquisitions or share repurchases.
Accenture will broaden its network intelligence and optimization services by adding the Connectivity portfolio. Julie Sweet, Accenture’s CEO, noted that “modern networks have evolved from simple infrastructure into business‑critical platforms. Without the ability to measure performance, organizations cannot optimize experience, revenue, or security.” The acquisition positions Accenture to scale AI safely and deliver reliable, seamless connectivity to service providers, enterprises and governments.
The $1.2 billion price implies a revenue multiple of roughly 5.2×, higher than Ziff Davis’s market capitalization of about $1.05 billion at the time of the announcement. The Connectivity division will be classified as a discontinued operation beginning in Q1 FY2026, and the transaction is expected to add $800 million to Ziff Davis’s market value. Accenture’s shares were largely unchanged, reflecting the modest impact of the deal on its $60 billion‑plus revenue base.
Evercore Group L.L.C. and Citi served as financial advisors to Ziff Davis, while Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and the parties anticipate completion within the next few months.
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