Getty Images Holdings Inc. (NYSE:GETY) is reportedly exploring a possible merger with its competitor Shutterstock Inc. (NYSE:SSTK). The deliberations, revealed by unnamed sources, show Getty is considering how to structure the deal, although no final decision has yet been made.
According to a Bloomberg report on Saturday, the proposed merger could unite two of the largest providers of licensed visual content in the US, underscoring the growing demand for photos, videos and media in the digital age.
Bloomberg notes, however, that such a deal would likely face antitrust scrutiny regardless of the new Trump administration’s perceived openness to corporate mergers.
Industry observers warn that President-elect Donald Trump’s antitrust picks – Gail Slater and Andrew Ferguson – are not expected to lead to a significant relaxation of enforcement policies.
Also read: Getty Images AI uncertainty, FX headwinds, premium valuation leads to downgrade
The visual content industry is experiencing transformative changes, with artificial intelligence reshaping content creation and smartphone cameras reducing the traditional value of stock photography.
Mark Getty, director at Getty Investments, owns approximately 43% of the company’s outstanding shares. Other major investors include Koch Inc. And Neuberger Berman.
In June 2024, Getty Images faced challenges stemming from a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into fraudulent stock manipulation by Robert Scott Murray and his firm Trillium Capital.
The SEC accused Murray of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme in 2023 by making a bogus buyout offer for Getty at $10 per share – double the company’s then-closing price.
The SEC claimed that Murray never intended to acquire Getty and liquidated his assets immediately after the announcement. The court filings described the scheme as “false and misleading,” claiming Murray’s actions were a calculated attempt to profit from inflated stock prices.
Price promotion: At last check on Monday, GETY stock rose 3.77% to $2.48 during the premarket session.
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Photo via Shutterstock
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This article Getty Images Weighs Major Merger With Shutterstock That Could Potentially Reshape The Visual Content Market originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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