Kantar Shattered,to be sold off piece by piece : Report

Market research giant Kantar, currently under the ownership of private equity firm Bain Capital and advertising conglomerate WPP, is reportedly set to undergo a significant restructuring, with plans to dismantle and sell off its various divisions. This strategic shift comes as the company abandons previous aspirations of a public stock exchange listing, citing concerns over unfavorable market conditions for initial public offerings.

According to reports , the decision to pursue a divisional sell-off is driven by the desire for a more expedient and reliable method of generating capital. This approach is perceived as a more certain route to financial gains compared to the uncertainties associated with waiting for a more opportune IPO environment.

The move marks a notable departure from the original strategy when WPP divested a 60% stake in Kantar to Bain Capital in 2019, which valued the company at approximately $4 billion. Now, the owners are exploring the sale of Kantar’s Worldpanel division, as reported by Sky News, indicating a comprehensive restructuring of the group's assets.

This development follows Kantar's earlier divestiture of its media division to private equity group HIG Capital in January. The ongoing fragmentation of Kantar signals a strategic recalibration in response to evolving market dynamics and investor sentiment. This decision reflects the owners’ preference for a more immediate and secure financial strategy.