Stock Markets February 23, 2026

Enhabit to Be Taken Private in $1.1 Billion All-Cash Deal; Shares Soar Premarket

Kinderhook Industries agrees to acquire Enhabit for $13.80 per share; transaction approved by board and expected to close in Q2 2026

By Maya Rios EHAB
Enhabit to Be Taken Private in $1.1 Billion All-Cash Deal; Shares Soar Premarket
EHAB

Enhabit Inc. agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Kinderhook Industries in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $1.1 billion. The deal, unanimously approved by Enhabit’s board, will pay stockholders $13.80 per share and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 subject to customary approvals. Following the announcement, Enhabit shares rose sharply in premarket trading.

Key Points

  • Kinderhook Industries will acquire Enhabit in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion; shareholders will receive $13.80 per share.
  • The offer represents a roughly 24.4% premium to Enhabit’s closing price on February 20 and about a 33.8% premium to the 60-day VWAP for the period ended February 20, and was unanimously approved by Enhabit’s board.
  • Following the close, Enhabit will be taken private and its common stock will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange; the company will continue operating under its current name and brand.

Enhabit Inc. (NYSE:EHAB) said it has reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Kinderhook Industries in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. The announcement sent Enhabit stock up 22.5% in premarket trading on Monday.

Under the terms of the agreement, Enhabit common stockholders will receive $13.80 per share in cash. That per-share price represents a premium of about 24.4% compared with Enhabit’s closing price on February 20, the last full trading day before the deal was announced. The purchase price also equates to a roughly 33.8% premium to the company’s 60-day volume-weighted average price ending on February 20.

If the transaction is completed, Enhabit’s common shares will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and the company will continue as a privately held entity. Management indicated the business will retain the Enhabit name and brand following the close.


The agreement received unanimous approval from Enhabit’s Board of Directors. The parties expect the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to approval by Enhabit stockholders, required regulatory clearances, and other customary closing conditions. Kinderhook has secured committed financing to fund the transaction.

In response to the pending acquisition, Enhabit said it will not hold an earnings conference call or webcast, and it will not provide financial guidance for 2026. The company plans to release fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2025 results on March 4 after the market close.

Advisors to the transaction are specified in the agreement. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Enhabit, with Jones Day serving as legal counsel. Kinderhook is advised by Guggenheim Securities as exclusive financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis as legal counsel.


This transaction transfers control of Enhabit to a middle-market private equity firm and moves the company off public markets pending customary approvals. Shareholders will receive a fixed cash price per share, while regulatory and shareholder approvals remain outstanding.

Risks

  • The acquisition remains subject to Enhabit stockholder approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions, which could delay or prevent completion - impacts the company and equity holders.
  • Enhabit has suspended an earnings call and will not issue guidance for 2026, reducing near-term public disclosure and guidance for market participants - impacts investors and equity analysts.
  • If required approvals are not obtained or financing terms change, the expected second-quarter 2026 close could be delayed or the deal could fail to close - impacts private equity stakeholders and public markets.

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