Henkel AG & Co is engaged in advanced negotiations to buy Olaplex Holdings, with people familiar with the discussions indicating a transaction could be announced as soon as the coming days. The talks center on a proposed price of $2 per Olaplex share, a level that represents roughly a 40% premium to Olaplex's most recent closing price.
Market reaction to the reports was immediate: Olaplex shares climbed about 15% in after-hours trading following the news. The hair care company, founded in 2014, built its reputation on shampoos and hair repair treatments and completed a listing on the Nasdaq in late-2021.
Observers expect a Henkel takeover to focus on strengthening the acquirer's hair care and broader consumer products lineup. Earlier in the year there were reports that Henkel was weighing a bid for Olaplex, and the current discussions appear to be a continuation of that strategic interest.
The potential acquisition follows a recent sizable purchase by Henkel: in early February the company acquired specialty coatings from Stahl for 2.1 billion euros, a transaction noted in the context of Henkel's active corporate development this year.
At this stage the talks remain advanced but not finalized. The timeline cited in the reports places the expectation of a completed agreement within days, though that timing is subject to confirmation. The proposed $2 per-share figure and the aftermarket price movement reflect investor attention to the potential deal and the premium being discussed.
Contextual note - The information in this report is drawn from parties familiar with the discussions and reflects the current state of negotiations as presented to the market. Details such as the proposed per-share price, the premium to the recent close, and the timing expectation are as reported and have not been confirmed by formal filings at the time of those reports.