Peloton said to draw takeover interest after share plunge

[NEW YORK] Peloton Interactive is evaluating interest from potential suitors after a plunge in the shares of the home fitness company made it a takeover target, according to people familiar with the matter.

The New York-based company is working with an adviser to explore options, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because discussions are private. The takeover interest is exploratory and may not lead to a transaction, they said.

Amazon.com has been speaking to advisers about a potential deal, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported last Friday (Feb 4). Nike is also considering a separate bid for Peloton, the Financial Times said. Both publications cited people familiar with the matter.

Shares of the indoor bike maker surged as much as 43 per cent in extended trading Friday after the WSJ report.

Peloton's stock has fallen more than 80 per cent from the high a year ago as the gradual easing of pandemic restrictions fuelled concern that growth would slow. It is currently valued at just over US$8 billion, based on last Friday's official market close of US$24.60 - below its September 2019 initial public offering price of US$29.

There is no guarantee the tech giant will follow through with an offer, and other potential suitors are circling, the WSJ reported, adding that no deal is imminent. Neither Nike nor Amazon have held direct talks with Peloton, FT reported. Amazon, Nike and Peloton declined to comment.

Peloton was a darling of the pandemic as people at home during lockdowns turned to its fitness bikes and online classes for exercise. The stock lost some of its lustre with the prospect of more people returning the the office. The company's image also took a hit in December, when HBO Max's Sex and the City reboot killed off a Peloton-riding character.

Activist investor Blackwells Capital last month issued a letter demanding the company fire co-founder and chief executive officer John Foley and pursue a sale. Blackwells said in the letter that potential buyers could include Apple, Walt Disney and Nike.

Amazon's interest may be linked to its effort to gain a greater role in health care, as well as the potential to market to Peloton's almost 3 million subscribers. The e-commerce giant in 2020 introduced its wearable Halo products to compete with Google-owned Fitbit and other fitness devices. BLOOMBERG