Investors Push BlackLine to Explore Sale Amid SAP Interest
Influential shareholders are urging BlackLine Inc., a leader in cloud-based accounting automation software, to consider a potential sale. The pressure intensifies as SAP SE, the German enterprise software giant, shows renewed interest in acquiring the company.
BlackLine's growth has slowed from its previous highs, mirroring a broader cooling in software valuations. Public-market investors are increasingly skeptical about the long-term profitability of subscription-based software vendors in the current economic climate.
The company's strength lies in its financial close and reconciliation automation tools, widely adopted by corporate finance departments. However, investors believe BlackLine's full potential can only be realized through acquisition by a larger player like SAP, which could integrate its products and accelerate innovation.
