Premier Inc. Shareholders Approve $2.6B Patient Square Capital Buyout
Overwhelming stockholder approval clears a key hurdle for the healthcare improvement company to go private, with the deal expected to close in early 2026.
Premier, Inc. (NASDAQ: PINC) stockholders have overwhelmingly approved the company's planned acquisition by private equity firm Patient Square Capital, a critical step that solidifies the path for the healthcare improvement company to go private in a deal valued at approximately $2.6 billion.
The approval, announced Friday, was a key condition for the merger. Shares of Premier remained stable in afternoon trading, holding just below the acquisition price at $28.17. The muted reaction signals that investors had largely priced in the deal's high probability of success since its announcement.
The all-cash transaction, first revealed on September 22, 2025, will pay Premier stockholders $28.25 per share. This figure represented a nearly 24% premium to the company's 60-day volume-weighted average price at the time of the announcement and has since become the consensus target price among Wall Street analysts, according to market data.
"We are pleased with the strong support from our stockholders for this transaction," said Michael J. Alkire, President and CEO of Premier, in a company statement. "This outcome is a testament to our Board and management team's belief that this is the best path forward for our company and our stockholders, enabling us to deliver immediate and certain value."
For Patient Square Capital, a firm focused on the healthcare sector, the acquisition of Premier provides a significant foothold in the healthcare performance improvement space. Premier's vast network, which includes more than 4,000 U.S. hospitals and health systems, and its extensive data and analytics capabilities, were key attractions. The firm intends to leverage Premier's established platform to drive innovation and long-term growth outside the quarterly pressures of the public markets.
Since the deal was announced, Premier's stock has consistently traded near the $28.25 buyout price, reflecting strong market confidence that the merger would be completed. Prior to the announcement, the stock had experienced a volatile year, trading as low as $16.93 before rallying on the acquisition news. The deal effectively placed a floor under the stock and closed the arbitrage gap as the shareholder vote approached.
Taking the company private is intended to provide Premier with greater financial flexibility to invest in its technology and service offerings. The company helps healthcare organizations improve clinical outcomes and manage supply chain costs, a mission that requires significant, sustained investment in data analytics and technology infrastructure.
With stockholder approval secured, the transaction's completion now hinges on satisfying remaining customary closing conditions, including necessary regulatory approvals. The company reiterated its expectation that the deal will formally close in the first quarter of the 2026 calendar year. Upon completion, Premier's common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq exchange.