HPE Nears Juniper Acquisition Completion

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) and Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE: JNPR) have jointly announced the resolution of a legal challenge brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning HPE’s proposed acquisition of Juniper. Subject to judicial approval, the settlement removes the final regulatory obstacle and enables the transaction to proceed to closure.

“This agreement with the DOJ clears a crucial milestone, allowing us to finalize HPE’s acquisition of Juniper Networks,” stated Antonio Neri, President and CEO of HPE. “It safeguards the strategic value of this union for our stakeholders while enhancing competition within the global networking arena. For the first time, enterprises will gain access to a contemporary, AI-optimized network architecture uniquely suited for advanced workloads.”

The integration of HPE Aruba Networking with Juniper’s portfolio is anticipated to yield a robust suite of secure, AI-native networking solutions. This synergy will significantly accelerate HPE’s advancement in key sectors including AI data centers, service provider infrastructure, and cloud services.

Following the transaction’s completion, the combined capabilities of both firms are expected to catalyze rapid innovation in networking silicon, systems, and software. This initiative not only challenges the dominance of traditional network providers but also promises customers more agility, competitive options, and expedited value realization. When coupled with HPE’s existing innovation across hybrid cloud, storage, computing, and software, customers will benefit from a fortified foundation to drive and streamline their AI transformations.

Rami Rahim, CEO of Juniper Networks, remarked, “This milestone represents a significant advancement in fulfilling a vital market demand — a unified suite of secure, modern networking technologies capable of underpinning hybrid cloud environments and AI-driven architectures. We eagerly anticipate completing this transaction and actualizing our shared strategic vision across enterprise, cloud, and service provider domains.”

Originally announced on January 9, 2024, HPE’s acquisition of Juniper is structured as an all-cash transaction at $40.00 per share, conferring an approximate equity value of $14 billion.

To address DOJ concerns without diminishing the transaction’s value, HPE has agreed to divest its global Instant On campus and branch business. Post-acquisition, HPE will also facilitate limited access to Juniper’s advanced Mist AIOps platform, ensuring continued innovation within the competitive ecosystem.