More punch for business optimization

Omniture has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Visual Sciences. Omniture says the combined company will offer substantial scale and resources to deliver products and services that address the rapidly expanding online business optimization market. It adds that the new company will be able to accelerate investments, meet a wider set of customer needs through a richer solution set and have a greater opportunity to grow into new markets.

The stock and cash transaction is said to be valued at approximately $394 million. According to the agreement, Visual Sciences shareholders will receive $2.39 in cash per share and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.49 shares of Omniture stock for each Visual Sciences share, on a fully diluted basis. Based on Omniture’s closing price on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, this yields a total consideration of $18.04 per share. Upon the close of the transaction, Visual Sciences stockholders will own approximately 13.7 percent of the combined company on a pro forma basis.

The acquisition, which is expected to close in early- to mid-2008, is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of stockholders of both companies and regulatory approvals.