F5 Networks (FFIV) Stock Higher on Reported Takeover Interest

F5 Networks (FFIV) stock is advancing this afternoon as private equity firm Thoma Bravo has reportedly indicated takeover interest.
By Rachel Graf ,

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of F5 Networks (FFIV) - Get Report are up 4.77% to $121.35 on heavy trading volume Tuesday afternoon as private equity firm Thoma Bravo considers acquiring the Seattle-based company, sources told the New York Post.

"A sale might have been more interesting a year ago," a leading tech banker who is aware of F5 sales' process, told the Post, explaining why certain buyers may not be interested.

"F5 missed an opportunity" to get a big price, he added.

F5 produces application delivery services that control traffic to websites and improve security. 

About 1.77 million shares of F5 have been traded so far today vs. its average trading volume of roughly 883,041 shares per day.

Separately, TheStreet Ratings team rates the stock as a "buy" with a ratings score of B.

F5 Networks' strengths such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, notable return on equity and expanding profit margins. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

You can view the full analysis from the report here: FFIV

TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author. 

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