Workday skyrockets 20% before trading halted on report of Silver Lake takeover

2026-08-13 | original

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Why This Matters

The potential acquisition of Workday by Silver Lake signals a significant shift in the enterprise software landscape, highlighting the growing influence of private equity in tech. This development could impact the company's strategic direction and innovation pace, affecting consumers and businesses relying on Workday's HR solutions. The move also underscores the increasing importance of AI and private equity in shaping the future of enterprise technology.

Key Takeaways

Workday's stock surged over 20% amid takeover rumors.
Silver Lake is in advanced talks to acquire the HR software maker.
The deal reflects private equity's growing role in the tech industry and potential AI impacts.

An aerial view of Workday headquarters on Feb. 6, 2025 in Pleasanton, California.

Workday shares popped more than 18% on a report that private equity firm Silver Lake is in talks to buy the human resources software maker.

Shares were halted multiple times in late afternoon trading and the company's market value last topped more than $50 billion following the report from Reuters.

The discussions have been ongoing in recent months, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Workday and Silver Lake did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Concerns that artificial intelligence tools will upend software's business model have weighed on Workday's shares in recent months.

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