MILAN, April 10 (Reuters) - Prada 1913.F has struck a deal to buy smaller rival Versace from Capri Holdings CPRI.N in a move to unite two of the biggest names in Italian fashion. The deal has an enterprise value of $1.375 billion, Prada said on Thursday.
Capri shares jumped 5% on the news.
Prada is seeking to expand, having defied a slowdown in luxury demand, while Versace has been operating at a loss. The merger strengthens Italy's hand in a luxury industry led by French conglomerates.
"We aim to continue Versace’s legacy celebrating and re-interpreting its bold and timeless aesthetic," said Prada Chairman Patrizio Bertelli.
"At the same time, we will provide it with a strong platform, reinforced by years of ongoing investments and rooted in longstanding relationships," he added.
The price Prada has agreed to pay for Versace is a big discount to the roughly $2.15 billion including debt that Capri paid for Versace in 2018. Previously known as Michael Kors, Capri bought Versace from the Versace family and Blackstone.
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.