SoftBank’s LY Group and Bain Capital raise their offer for Japanese price-comparison site operator Kakaku, according to multiple reports. The bidders increase the bid again, valuing Kakaku at about ¥4.1 billion (reported as roughly $4.1 billion in at least one outlet). The higher offer also widens their lead over a competing bid from rival private equity firm EQT, which has also been pursuing a deal for Kakaku. The increased valuation and improved terms come as the bidding process moves forward and investors assess whether Kakaku’s board will recommend the updated offer and how shareholders may respond.
While the specific financial terms are reported across outlets in a similar way—focused on the renewed bid size and valuation—coverage consistently frames the development as the latest round in an ongoing competition for control of Kakaku. The reports do not indicate, at this stage, whether Kakaku’s shareholders will accept the offer or when a final decision is expected, but they underline that LY and Bain’s revised bid strengthens their position relative to EQT’s proposal.
