SPS Commerce Explores Sale Amid Activist Pressure
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 23 2026
0mins
SPS Commerce (SPSC) is exploring a sale amid pressure from activist investors, according to Reuters, citing three people familiar with the matter. The supply chain software maker is working with investment bankers at Morgan Stanley (MS) on the potential sale, which is expected to draw interest from private equity firms, the sources are reported to have said.
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Analyst Views on SPSC
Wall Street analysts forecast SPSC stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 59.065
Low
80.00
Averages
99.13
High
110.00
Current: 59.065
Low
80.00
Averages
99.13
High
110.00
About SPSC
SPS Commerce, Inc. is a provider of retail supply chain cloud services, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. The Company supports data-driven partnerships with innovative cloud technology and customer-obsessed service that focuses on retail, grocery, distribution, supply, manufacturing, and logistics firms. The Company's products include Fulfillment, Analytics, and Other products. Fulfillment products offer a comprehensive solution designed to streamline supply chain operations. The Analytics products simplifies managing sell-through data from our customers business partners by handling data acquisition, cleansing, normalization, and delivery. Its Other products offer complementary products, such as assortment and community. In addition to these offerings, it also provides one-time services such as professional services and testing and certification.
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.
SPS Commerce Completes Sale of 3P Revenue Recovery Business
- Completion of Business Sale: SPS Commerce announced the completion of the sale of its third-party (3P) revenue recovery business, acquired through the Carbon6 acquisition finalized on February 7, 2025, allowing the company to focus on multi-retailer 1P suppliers.
- Cash Proceeds: The transaction generated $9.5 million in cash proceeds for the company, although it anticipates recording an estimated $20 million loss in Q2 2026, which will negatively impact its financial position in the short term.
- Strategic Focus: This divestiture aligns with SPS Commerce's strategy to expand its supply chain solutions business, concentrating on 1P revenue recovery services for major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Kroger.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing headwinds in Amazon revenue recovery, SPS Commerce projects 2026 revenue between $796 million and $802 million, indicating the company's ongoing growth potential in the multi-retailer market.
See More
SPS Commerce Sells 3P Revenue Recovery Business
- Business Sale Context: SPS Commerce has completed the sale of its 3P Revenue Recovery business, which was acquired through the purchase of Carbon6 Technologies in February 2025, a company providing software tools focused on revenue recovery for Amazon sellers.
- Financial Impact: The transaction resulted in a cash payment of $9.5 million at closing, but SPS Commerce anticipates an estimated loss of approximately $20 million in Q2 2026, indicating short-term financial pressure.
- Strategic Focus: By divesting the 3P segment, SPS Commerce aims to concentrate on strategic opportunities with 1P suppliers, who are better positioned in multi-retailer trading relationships and can leverage the company's intelligent supply chain network more effectively.
- Market Positioning: This transaction allows SPS Commerce to continue supporting retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot, reinforcing its market position in the retail network despite facing financial losses in the short term.
See More
Comcast to Spin Off NBCUniversal and Sky in Tax-Free Split
- Spin-Off Announcement: Comcast has revealed plans to separate into two companies through a tax-free spinoff of NBCUniversal and Sky, aiming to enhance market focus and operational efficiency, which is expected to create higher long-term value for shareholders.
- Stock Surge: Following the announcement of the spin-off, Comcast's stock price surged, reflecting a positive market reaction to the strategic restructuring and significantly boosting investor confidence in future growth potential.
- Enhanced Market Focus: The spin-off will allow NBCUniversal and Sky to concentrate on their core businesses, with NBCUniversal better positioned to integrate its media assets while Sky can focus on expanding in international markets, likely enhancing their competitive edge.
- Far-Reaching Strategic Implications: This spin-off represents a significant structural adjustment for the company and may trigger similar reorganizations among other firms in the industry, further driving consolidation and changes in the competitive landscape of the media and entertainment sector.
See More
SPS Commerce Considers Sale Amid Activist Investor Pressure
- Increased Investor Pressure: SPS Commerce (SPSC) is reportedly considering a sale amid rising pressure from activist investors and has engaged Morgan Stanley as an advisor, indicating strategic flexibility in navigating market challenges.
- Broad Customer Base: Serving 50,000 customers globally, including major retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Macy's, SPS Commerce holds a significant position in retail supply chain management, underscoring its market relevance.
- Significant Stock Volatility: Despite a brief surge in stock price following the sale news, SPSC has seen a ~40% decline since the beginning of the year and a staggering 70% drop over the past three years, reflecting market concerns about its future growth prospects.
- Dismal Financial Outlook: SPS Commerce projects 2026 revenue between $796 million and $802 million, facing headwinds from Amazon's revenue recovery, highlighting the dual challenges and opportunities the company faces in the current economic landscape.
See More
SPS Commerce Explores Sale Amid Activist Investor Pressure
- Sale Exploration: SPS Commerce is collaborating with Morgan Stanley to explore a potential sale amid pressure from activist investors like Anson Funds and Irenic Capital, who disclosed stakes in late March and early April and are advocating for leadership changes and a review of strategic alternatives.
- Broad Customer Base: Headquartered in Minneapolis, SPS Commerce provides cloud-based supply chain software to over 50,000 customers globally, including major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Macy's, Best Buy, Adidas, and Hershey, highlighting its significant position in the industry.
- Significant Stock Decline: Over the past year, SPS Commerce's shares have plummeted by more than 80%, resulting in a market capitalization of approximately $2 billion, reflecting investor caution regarding the software sector's outlook, particularly amid uncertainties surrounding AI's impact.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: While SPS Commerce has previously achieved double-digit revenue growth, including 18% in 2025, it now anticipates a more modest revenue increase of 6% to 7% in 2026, indicating growing concerns about software valuations and future growth prospects.
See More
SPS Commerce Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Outlook
- Revenue Growth: SPS Commerce reported Q1 revenue of $192.1 million, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, with recurring revenue up 7%, indicating solid performance in fulfillment growth despite a slowdown in overall growth rates.
- Profitability Outlook: Management expects Q2 2026 revenue to range between $194.5 million and $196.5 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $262.8 million and $267.3 million, demonstrating confidence in future profitability despite current challenges.
- Customer Dynamics: The total number of recurring revenue customers in Q1 was approximately 54,200, with a decline of 400 in 3P customers; the introduction of a $19.99/month subscription platform fee is expected to lead to a churn of up to 4,000 3P suppliers, although management does not anticipate a material revenue impact from this change.
- AI-Driven Efficiency Gains: The company highlighted the role of its AI agent MAX in enhancing customer ROI and internal efficiency, with feedback indicating significant reductions in onboarding and setup times from weeks to days, thereby strengthening the company's competitive position in the market.
See More
SPS Commerce Completes Sale of 3P Revenue Recovery Business
- Completion of Business Sale: SPS Commerce announced the completion of the sale of its third-party (3P) revenue recovery business, acquired through the Carbon6 acquisition finalized on February 7, 2025, allowing the company to focus on multi-retailer 1P suppliers.
- Cash Proceeds: The transaction generated $9.5 million in cash proceeds for the company, although it anticipates recording an estimated $20 million loss in Q2 2026, which will negatively impact its financial position in the short term.
- Strategic Focus: This divestiture aligns with SPS Commerce's strategy to expand its supply chain solutions business, concentrating on 1P revenue recovery services for major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Kroger.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing headwinds in Amazon revenue recovery, SPS Commerce projects 2026 revenue between $796 million and $802 million, indicating the company's ongoing growth potential in the multi-retailer market.
See More
SPS Commerce Sells 3P Revenue Recovery Business
- Business Sale Context: SPS Commerce has completed the sale of its 3P Revenue Recovery business, which was acquired through the purchase of Carbon6 Technologies in February 2025, a company providing software tools focused on revenue recovery for Amazon sellers.
- Financial Impact: The transaction resulted in a cash payment of $9.5 million at closing, but SPS Commerce anticipates an estimated loss of approximately $20 million in Q2 2026, indicating short-term financial pressure.
- Strategic Focus: By divesting the 3P segment, SPS Commerce aims to concentrate on strategic opportunities with 1P suppliers, who are better positioned in multi-retailer trading relationships and can leverage the company's intelligent supply chain network more effectively.
- Market Positioning: This transaction allows SPS Commerce to continue supporting retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot, reinforcing its market position in the retail network despite facing financial losses in the short term.
See More
Comcast to Spin Off NBCUniversal and Sky in Tax-Free Split
- Spin-Off Announcement: Comcast has revealed plans to separate into two companies through a tax-free spinoff of NBCUniversal and Sky, aiming to enhance market focus and operational efficiency, which is expected to create higher long-term value for shareholders.
- Stock Surge: Following the announcement of the spin-off, Comcast's stock price surged, reflecting a positive market reaction to the strategic restructuring and significantly boosting investor confidence in future growth potential.
- Enhanced Market Focus: The spin-off will allow NBCUniversal and Sky to concentrate on their core businesses, with NBCUniversal better positioned to integrate its media assets while Sky can focus on expanding in international markets, likely enhancing their competitive edge.
- Far-Reaching Strategic Implications: This spin-off represents a significant structural adjustment for the company and may trigger similar reorganizations among other firms in the industry, further driving consolidation and changes in the competitive landscape of the media and entertainment sector.
See More
SPS Commerce Considers Sale Amid Activist Investor Pressure
- Increased Investor Pressure: SPS Commerce (SPSC) is reportedly considering a sale amid rising pressure from activist investors and has engaged Morgan Stanley as an advisor, indicating strategic flexibility in navigating market challenges.
- Broad Customer Base: Serving 50,000 customers globally, including major retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Macy's, SPS Commerce holds a significant position in retail supply chain management, underscoring its market relevance.
- Significant Stock Volatility: Despite a brief surge in stock price following the sale news, SPSC has seen a ~40% decline since the beginning of the year and a staggering 70% drop over the past three years, reflecting market concerns about its future growth prospects.
- Dismal Financial Outlook: SPS Commerce projects 2026 revenue between $796 million and $802 million, facing headwinds from Amazon's revenue recovery, highlighting the dual challenges and opportunities the company faces in the current economic landscape.
See More
SPS Commerce Explores Sale Amid Activist Investor Pressure
- Sale Exploration: SPS Commerce is collaborating with Morgan Stanley to explore a potential sale amid pressure from activist investors like Anson Funds and Irenic Capital, who disclosed stakes in late March and early April and are advocating for leadership changes and a review of strategic alternatives.
- Broad Customer Base: Headquartered in Minneapolis, SPS Commerce provides cloud-based supply chain software to over 50,000 customers globally, including major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Macy's, Best Buy, Adidas, and Hershey, highlighting its significant position in the industry.
- Significant Stock Decline: Over the past year, SPS Commerce's shares have plummeted by more than 80%, resulting in a market capitalization of approximately $2 billion, reflecting investor caution regarding the software sector's outlook, particularly amid uncertainties surrounding AI's impact.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: While SPS Commerce has previously achieved double-digit revenue growth, including 18% in 2025, it now anticipates a more modest revenue increase of 6% to 7% in 2026, indicating growing concerns about software valuations and future growth prospects.
See More
SPS Commerce Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Outlook
- Revenue Growth: SPS Commerce reported Q1 revenue of $192.1 million, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, with recurring revenue up 7%, indicating solid performance in fulfillment growth despite a slowdown in overall growth rates.
- Profitability Outlook: Management expects Q2 2026 revenue to range between $194.5 million and $196.5 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $262.8 million and $267.3 million, demonstrating confidence in future profitability despite current challenges.
- Customer Dynamics: The total number of recurring revenue customers in Q1 was approximately 54,200, with a decline of 400 in 3P customers; the introduction of a $19.99/month subscription platform fee is expected to lead to a churn of up to 4,000 3P suppliers, although management does not anticipate a material revenue impact from this change.
- AI-Driven Efficiency Gains: The company highlighted the role of its AI agent MAX in enhancing customer ROI and internal efficiency, with feedback indicating significant reductions in onboarding and setup times from weeks to days, thereby strengthening the company's competitive position in the market.
See More
