Shares of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) surged over 20% in pre-market trading on Sunday, following reports that private equity firm Stonepeak is in advanced talks to acquire the aircraft leasing and cargo transportation company for approximately $3.1 billion, including debt.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Stonepeak is expected to pay $22.50 per share for ATSG, representing a nearly 30% premium over the company's closing price on Friday. If the discussions conclude successfully, the deal could be announced as early as Monday.
ATSG, headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio, is a leading lessor of mid-sized freighters, with a fleet of 134 aircraft, including Boeing 767 and Airbus A321 jets. The company provides air cargo transportation and aircraft maintenance services to domestic and foreign airlines, and counts online retailer Amazon as one of its key customers. With the rise of e-commerce and the increasing demand for faster delivery times, ATSG's operations have become vital for many corporations, making it an attractive acquisition target.