BDC News & Events

Vistance Networks (VISN( entered into a definitive agreement to sell its RUCKUS Networks business to Belden (BDC) for $1.846B in cash, to be paid by Belden at closing. The sale is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. The Company expects net proceeds after taxes and transaction expenses to be approximately $1.7B. The Company expects to distribute a significant portion of the excess cash to shareholders as a special distribution within 60 days following the closing of the proposed transaction. The exact amount and timing of the distribution will be determined by the Board after closing and taking into account all relevant factors.

Belden (BDC) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RUCKUS Networks from Vistance Networks (VISN) for approximately $1.85 billion. The acquisition establishes Belden as a leading provider of complete, end-to-end IT/OT networking solutions. The company said, "RUCKUS is a leading provider of enterprise networking solutions delivering purpose-built connectivity for high-density, mission-critical environments, serving more than 48,000 customers globally. RUCKUS offers an integrated portfolio of Wi-Fi, enterprise switching and an AI-driven cloud networking platform that enables organizations to optimize performance, simplify operations and securely connect users and devices. RUCKUS is known for its differentiated technology, strong channel ecosystem and focus on reliability and user experience at scale. RUCKUS' high-margin profile is expected to drive accretion to Belden's gross margins, Adjusted EBITDA margins, and Adjusted Earnings Per Share, representing a meaningful enhancement in Belden's financial profile. Combined with Belden's strong free cash flow generation and RUCKUS' high cash conversion, the Company expects to reduce net leverage to below 3.0x within the first full year following close, and to reach its long-term target of approximately 1.5x by 2029. Belden will prioritize debt paydown while maintaining its commitment to disciplined capital allocation. At approximately 13x projected 2026 Adjusted EBITDA, the transaction reflects a disciplined and attractive entry point for a high-margin, high-growth asset. RUCKUS brings a high-quality financial profile to the combined company, with high-single-digit revenue growth, gross margins above 60%, and Adjusted EBITDA margins above 20% in the first full year of ownership, each meaningfully above Belden's current profile. As a result, the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Adjusted Earnings Per Share. The acquisition is also expected to serve as a growth accelerator, further advancing Belden's long-term financial framework." The acquisition was approved by both companies' Boards of Directors and is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. Belden has obtained fully committed debt financing from J.P. Morgan that provides the Company flexibility to optimize its permanent capital structure between signing and closing based on market conditions. Belden's disciplined capital allocation and strong free cash flow generation support a clear path to de-levering post-close. With a combined Adjusted EBITDA base of approximately $650 million and RUCKUS' high free cash flow conversion, Belden expects net leverage to decline below 3.0x within the first full year after close, and to reach its long-term target of approximately 1.5x by 2029. Consistent with this priority, Belden intends to temporarily pause share repurchases until leverage returns closer to our long-term target.

Sees revenue $735M-$750M, consensus $729.68M. "While underlying demand signals remain encouraging, near-term visibility is limited and the broader macroeconomic and geopolitical environment remains fluid. Our teams and customers are actively managing input costs and supply chain resiliency, and our guidance reflects a balanced, measured view consistent with typical seasonal patterns. The long-term fundamentals driving our business, data growth, automation, and IT/OT convergence have not changed. We remain focused on disciplined execution as we advance our solutions strategy and compound value over time," said Dr. Chand.