Softcat stock gains on the GDT deal and higher guidance

Published on 09/17/2026 at 23:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Softcat stock rose 2.71 percent to 1,968.00 GBX on September 17, 2026. Softcat also lifted full-year underlying operating profit growth to high-teens.

Aquarellmalerei eines modernen Bürogebäudes in einer englischen Landschaft — Softcat plc (GB00BYZ2B577) hat seinen Hauptsitz in einer englischen Kleinstadt, künstlerisch dargestellt als sanftes Aquarellgemälde, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Softcat stock (GB00BYZ2B577) rose to 1,968.00 GBX on September 17, 2026, after the company said it will buy General Datatech for USD 1.05 billion and raise about GBP 350 million in equity. The deal update also points to high-single-digit to low-double-digit EPS accretion in the first full fiscal year, according to MarketScreener and Investing.com.

Deal update lifts the stock

MarketScreener said the shares closed at 1,968.00 GBX on London S.E. on September 17, 2026, up 2.71 percent on the day and 7.07 percent over five days. The same report put Softcat 38.88 percent higher year to date and showed a consensus of 13 analysts with an average target price of GBP 19.82 versus a last close of GBP 19.16.

Investing.com reported that the transaction is expected to close by the end of the first calendar quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, and that admission of the new shares is expected on or around September 22, 2026. The same update said Softcat expects high-single-digit to low-double-digit underlying EPS accretion in the first full fiscal year and net debt leverage of 1.3 times at closing.

Guidance moves higher

Reuters, via MarketScreener, reported that Softcat now expects high-teens growth in full-year underlying operating profit, up from mid-teens previously, with gross profit growth moderately above that level. The company also kept cash conversion guidance at the top end of the 85 percent to 95 percent range and said it expects high single-digit underlying operating profit growth in FY2027 excluding GDT.

Investors also have a firm date to watch: Softcat's preliminary results are scheduled for October 14, 2026, according to Investing.com. The acquisition and the equity raise turn the focus to dilution, leverage and the pace of profit growth into the next fiscal year.

Stock near its target

Softcat stock finished September 17, 2026 at 1,968.00 GBX on London S.E., with the share price sitting 7.07 percent above the level at the start of the year. The stock was trading below the average analyst target of GBP 19.82 but above the reported last close of GBP 19.16 in the same consensus snapshot.