Axalta Coating Stock Surges on Merger News with Akzo Nobel
Axalta Coating Systems (AXTA) shares soared over 10% in pre-market trading following the announcement of an all-stock merger with Dutch paints giant Akzo Nobel. The deal, structured as a merger of equals, will create a coatings behemoth with an enterprise value of approximately $25 billion.
Market reaction was immediate, with AXTA jumping 13% in extended trading after initial reports of advanced talks surfaced. The transaction is slated for completion between late 2026 and early 2027, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Under the terms, Axalta shareholders will receive 0.6539 Akzo Nobel shares for each AXTA share held. The combined entity will see Akzo Nobel investors owning 55% of the business, with Axalta stakeholders holding the remaining 45%. Leadership roles have been clearly delineated, with Akzo's CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume taking the helm and Axalta's Chris Villavarayan assuming the deputy position.
