Rosenblatt Downgrades Emerald Holding to Neutral, Price Target $5.03
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 11 2026
0mins
Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett downgraded Emerald Holding (EEX) to Neutral from Buy with a $5.03 price target after Apollo (APO) announced that Apollo-managed funds have entered into an agreement to acquire Emerald for $5.03 per share in cash. There is an $84M break fee, but the firm says it "clearly sees that as unlikely to come into play" and argues that the deal "seems highly likely to be completed consistent with stated expectations."
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Analyst Views on EEX
Wall Street analysts forecast EEX stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 5.000
Low
7.70
Averages
7.85
High
8.00
Current: 5.000
Low
7.70
Averages
7.85
High
8.00
About EEX
Emerald Holding, Inc. is a business-to-business (B2B) event organizer principally in the United States. The Company integrates live events, media content, industry insights, digital tools, data-focused solutions, and e-commerce platforms into three complementary business lines: Connections, Content and Commerce. The Connections division consists of a collection of B2B events spanning trade shows, conferences, B2C showcases and a scaled hosted buyer platform. The Content division consists of B2B print publications and digital media products that complement its existing trade show properties. The Commerce division offers B2B e-commerce and digital merchandising solutions, serving the needs of manufacturers and retailers through its Elastic Suite and Bulletin platforms, which create a digital year-round transactional platform for use by its customers, regardless of location. It also operates content and content-marketing websites, related digital products, and produces publications.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investigation Launched into Emerald Acquisition Fairness
- Acquisition Price Controversy: Emerald Holding, Inc. shareholders are expected to receive only $5.03 per share in cash, raising concerns about the fairness of the acquisition and potential harm to shareholder interests.
- Legal Investigation Initiated: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has launched an investigation into the fairness of the acquisition by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc., aiming to determine if any misconduct or inadequate disclosures occurred.
- Shareholder Rights Protection: The investigation will assess whether Emerald's controlling stockholder and Board of Directors have harmed shareholders by agreeing to an unfair acquisition price, which could impact future shareholder trust.
- Law Firm Background: Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized law firm with extensive experience in securities litigation, having recovered hundreds of millions for investors, demonstrating its strength and expertise in protecting shareholder rights.
See More
Monteverde Law Firm Investigates Multiple Acquisition Cases
- Shareholder Compensation Investigation: Monteverde Law Firm is investigating the acquisition of Cross Country Healthcare, Inc., where shareholders are expected to receive $13.25 per share in cash, reflecting the company's market value and potential returns for investors.
- Emerald Holding Transaction: The firm is also focusing on the deal between Emerald Holding, Inc. and Apollo Global Management, where shareholders are anticipated to receive $5.03 per share in cash, providing direct cash inflow and enhancing investment returns for shareholders.
- TopBuild Shareholder Options: In the transaction with QXO, Inc., TopBuild Corp. shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either $505 in cash or 20.2 shares of QXO common stock, which may attract more investors due to the flexibility of choice.
- Law Firm Credibility: Monteverde Law Firm has been recognized as a Top 50 firm in the 2025 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report, showcasing its expertise and successful track record in protecting shareholder rights, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the legal market.
See More
Ademi LLP Investigates Emerald's Transaction Compliance
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Ademi LLP is investigating Emerald (NYSE:EEX) for potential breaches of fiduciary duty and other legal violations related to its transaction with Apollo-managed funds, aiming to protect shareholder rights.
- Cash Acquisition Price: Under the transaction agreement, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing an estimated total enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, which may not reflect the company's true value.
- Competition Transaction Restrictions: The transaction agreement imposes significant penalties for accepting competing bids, potentially harming shareholder interests and limiting market competition, raising concerns about fair market practices.
- Board Responsibility Review: We are examining the conduct of Emerald's board of directors to determine whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, ensuring transparency and fairness in the transaction process.
See More
Apollo Acquires Emerald and Questex for $1.5 Billion
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo is acquiring Emerald for $5.03 per share in cash, implying an enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, indicating a strategic move in the corporate events organizing sector.
- Market Reaction: Following the acquisition announcement, EEX stock surged nearly 13% in premarket trading, while APO stock experienced a slight decline, reflecting optimistic sentiment towards EEX.
- Post-Merger Outlook: Upon completion of the acquisitions, Apollo plans to merge Emerald with Questex to create a platform hosting about 160 events, aiming to leverage the strengths of both companies to enhance market competitiveness.
- Growth Potential: Apollo anticipates that the combined entity will drive organic growth and capture a significant share of the North American B2B events market, further solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
See More
Apollo Global Management Acquires Emerald and Questex
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo Global Management announced all-cash acquisitions of Emerald Holding and Questex, with the transactions expected to close in the second half of 2026, indicating the company's intent to expand in the B2B experiential events and media platform sector.
- Shareholder Value Increase: Under the terms, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing a 42.1% premium to the unaffected share price, implying an estimated enterprise value of about $1.5 billion, significantly enhancing shareholder returns.
- Business Integration Plans: The combined entity is expected to operate approximately 160 events across complementary end markets, merging Emerald's exhibition portfolio with Questex's digital engagement platform, aimed at strengthening market competitiveness and customer experience.
- Dividend Declaration: Emerald's board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.015 per share, payable on June 1 to shareholders of record on May 21, further boosting investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
See More
Apollo Acquires Emerald and Questex to Form B2B Events Leader
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo-managed funds have entered into agreements to acquire Emerald Holding and Questex, intending to combine them into a leading North American B2B experiential events and media platform, encompassing approximately 160 events and expected to drive organic growth while becoming a strategic partner in the industry.
- Shareholder Value Enhancement: Under the agreement, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing a 42.1% premium to the unaffected share price, implying an estimated enterprise value of around $1.5 billion, reflecting Apollo's confidence in Emerald's growth potential.
- Market Integration Advantage: The combined platform will leverage Emerald's leading exhibitions and Questex's differentiated events portfolio, utilizing a 365-day digital engagement model to enhance customer relationships and strengthen market competitiveness, addressing the industry's demand for in-person interactions.
- Strategic Growth Outlook: The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, with unanimous approval from Emerald's board and support from Onex, indicating both parties' confidence in future growth and their ability to capitalize on market opportunities.
See More
Investigation Launched into Emerald Acquisition Fairness
- Acquisition Price Controversy: Emerald Holding, Inc. shareholders are expected to receive only $5.03 per share in cash, raising concerns about the fairness of the acquisition and potential harm to shareholder interests.
- Legal Investigation Initiated: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has launched an investigation into the fairness of the acquisition by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc., aiming to determine if any misconduct or inadequate disclosures occurred.
- Shareholder Rights Protection: The investigation will assess whether Emerald's controlling stockholder and Board of Directors have harmed shareholders by agreeing to an unfair acquisition price, which could impact future shareholder trust.
- Law Firm Background: Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized law firm with extensive experience in securities litigation, having recovered hundreds of millions for investors, demonstrating its strength and expertise in protecting shareholder rights.
See More
Monteverde Law Firm Investigates Multiple Acquisition Cases
- Shareholder Compensation Investigation: Monteverde Law Firm is investigating the acquisition of Cross Country Healthcare, Inc., where shareholders are expected to receive $13.25 per share in cash, reflecting the company's market value and potential returns for investors.
- Emerald Holding Transaction: The firm is also focusing on the deal between Emerald Holding, Inc. and Apollo Global Management, where shareholders are anticipated to receive $5.03 per share in cash, providing direct cash inflow and enhancing investment returns for shareholders.
- TopBuild Shareholder Options: In the transaction with QXO, Inc., TopBuild Corp. shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either $505 in cash or 20.2 shares of QXO common stock, which may attract more investors due to the flexibility of choice.
- Law Firm Credibility: Monteverde Law Firm has been recognized as a Top 50 firm in the 2025 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report, showcasing its expertise and successful track record in protecting shareholder rights, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the legal market.
See More
Ademi LLP Investigates Emerald's Transaction Compliance
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Ademi LLP is investigating Emerald (NYSE:EEX) for potential breaches of fiduciary duty and other legal violations related to its transaction with Apollo-managed funds, aiming to protect shareholder rights.
- Cash Acquisition Price: Under the transaction agreement, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing an estimated total enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, which may not reflect the company's true value.
- Competition Transaction Restrictions: The transaction agreement imposes significant penalties for accepting competing bids, potentially harming shareholder interests and limiting market competition, raising concerns about fair market practices.
- Board Responsibility Review: We are examining the conduct of Emerald's board of directors to determine whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, ensuring transparency and fairness in the transaction process.
See More
Apollo Acquires Emerald and Questex for $1.5 Billion
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo is acquiring Emerald for $5.03 per share in cash, implying an enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, indicating a strategic move in the corporate events organizing sector.
- Market Reaction: Following the acquisition announcement, EEX stock surged nearly 13% in premarket trading, while APO stock experienced a slight decline, reflecting optimistic sentiment towards EEX.
- Post-Merger Outlook: Upon completion of the acquisitions, Apollo plans to merge Emerald with Questex to create a platform hosting about 160 events, aiming to leverage the strengths of both companies to enhance market competitiveness.
- Growth Potential: Apollo anticipates that the combined entity will drive organic growth and capture a significant share of the North American B2B events market, further solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
See More
Apollo Global Management Acquires Emerald and Questex
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo Global Management announced all-cash acquisitions of Emerald Holding and Questex, with the transactions expected to close in the second half of 2026, indicating the company's intent to expand in the B2B experiential events and media platform sector.
- Shareholder Value Increase: Under the terms, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing a 42.1% premium to the unaffected share price, implying an estimated enterprise value of about $1.5 billion, significantly enhancing shareholder returns.
- Business Integration Plans: The combined entity is expected to operate approximately 160 events across complementary end markets, merging Emerald's exhibition portfolio with Questex's digital engagement platform, aimed at strengthening market competitiveness and customer experience.
- Dividend Declaration: Emerald's board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.015 per share, payable on June 1 to shareholders of record on May 21, further boosting investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
See More
Apollo Acquires Emerald and Questex to Form B2B Events Leader
- Acquisition Overview: Apollo-managed funds have entered into agreements to acquire Emerald Holding and Questex, intending to combine them into a leading North American B2B experiential events and media platform, encompassing approximately 160 events and expected to drive organic growth while becoming a strategic partner in the industry.
- Shareholder Value Enhancement: Under the agreement, Emerald shareholders will receive $5.03 per share in cash, representing a 42.1% premium to the unaffected share price, implying an estimated enterprise value of around $1.5 billion, reflecting Apollo's confidence in Emerald's growth potential.
- Market Integration Advantage: The combined platform will leverage Emerald's leading exhibitions and Questex's differentiated events portfolio, utilizing a 365-day digital engagement model to enhance customer relationships and strengthen market competitiveness, addressing the industry's demand for in-person interactions.
- Strategic Growth Outlook: The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, with unanimous approval from Emerald's board and support from Onex, indicating both parties' confidence in future growth and their ability to capitalize on market opportunities.
See More
