Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) shares rose to $39.95 following the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) agreement to settle its antitrust lawsuit, facilitating Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s (NYSE: HPE) $14 billion acquisition of Juniper. This settlement, which includes the divestiture of HPE’s Instant On wireless networking unit and limited access to Juniper’s Mist AI source code, eliminates a major regulatory hurdle. The acquisition is now subject to a 60-day public comment period and final court approval, with a projected close in Q3 2025.
The DOJ initially filed suit in January, claiming the merger would reduce competition, giving Cisco and HPE a combined 70% share of the U.S. networking hardware market. In response, Juniper argued that the deal would enhance innovation. Once finalized, Juniper shareholders will receive $40 per share. Although the deal’s closure appears probable, concerns remain about market competition and the efficiencies of the merged entities.
With the DOJ clearance, Juniper’s stock price stabilizes at $40, prompting attention towards HPE’s integration strategy and potential synergies. Analysts predict benefits within the first year of the merger, focusing on the competitive landscape and product offerings for enterprise customers.
