Activist opposes this takeover

Article Excerpt

BLUE PRISM GROUP PLC $16 is a hold for aggressive investors. Based in the U.K., the company (Nasdaq symbol BPRMF; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 96.6 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.blueprism.com) makes cloud-based software that helps businesses automate routine back-office functions such as managing purchase orders and processing invoices. The stock jumped over 40% on news that private equity firms TPG Capital and Vista Equity Partners were about to make a takeover offer for the company worth 1 billion British pounds (or $1.38 billion U.S.). However, activist firm Coast Capital, which owns about 3% of Blue Prism, feels the company is worth much more and wants it to reject the reported offer. While it seems likely that Blue Prism could become the target of a bidding war, future gains are far from guaranteed. Blue Prism is a hold. hold…