Softcat stock rises on GDT deal and higher guidance

Softcat stock (GB00BYZ2B577) closed at 1,968.00 GBX on September 17, 2026, after the company said gross proceeds from its placing and retail offer came to about GBP 354 million and net proceeds to about GBP 345 million. The move followed a fresh update on the GDT acquisition and a higher full-year outlook.

Guidance moves up

According to Reuters on September 18, 2026, Softcat raised full-year underlying operating profit growth guidance to high-teens from mid-teens and said gross profit growth should be moderately above that. The same announcement said the acquisition should deliver high single-digit to low double-digit underlying EPS accretion in the first full fiscal year.

Reuters also reported that the placing price of 1,890 pence was set at about 4.0 percent below the last practicable close of 1,968 pence on September 17, 2026. That discount gives the fundraise a clear market reference.

Market and analysts

Softcat shares were quoted at 1,958.32 pence early on September 18, 2026, with a market capitalization of GBP 3.86 billion and a year-to-date gain of 38.88 percent, according to Zonebourse. The same market snapshot showed a 5-day rise of 2.71 percent.

According to MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its target price on Softcat to GBX 2,300 from GBX 1,950 and kept an overweight rating on September 7, 2026. The same report said the consensus rating stood at Hold with an average target price of GBX 1,937.50.

What matters now

For Softcat, the next check point is whether the higher profit guide and the GBP 354 million fundraise keep the stock near the 1,968.00 GBX closing level from September 17, 2026. The market is also weighing the GDT deal against the dilution from 18.5 million new shares at 1,890 pence each.

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