Why the Afterpay (ASX:APT) share price can still rise (and fall) after the Square deal

Here's what you need to know about the Afterpay share price…

happy investor, share price rise, increase, up

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price was in sensational form on Monday after receiving and recommending a takeover offer from US payments giant Square.

The buy now pay later provider's shares ended the day 19% higher at $114.80.

Where next for the Afterpay share price?

You might think that the potential gains (or declines) for Afterpay's shares are over now that it has received a takeover approach, but that simply isn't the case.

That's because Square's offer is an all-scrip offer, meaning investors will receive Square shares for their Afterpay shares.

This differs to the more common all-cash takeover offer where an acquisition price is set at a fixed level and doesn't change.

As a result, between now and the expected closing of the deal (during the first quarter of calendar year 2022), the Afterpay share price and the Square share price will be intrinsically linked.

This means that if the Square share price rises, so too should the Afterpay share price. And vice versa if it were to decline.

A few scenarios

Square's offer is 0.375 Square shares per Afterpay share.

  • Original offer: Square share price at US$247.26 = A$126.21 per share.
  • Square share price rises to US$300.00 = A$152.81 per share.
  • Square share price falls to US$200.00 = A$101.90 per share.

Positively for Afterpay shareholders, Wall Street reacted very positively to the news of Square's acquisition of the buy now pay later giant.

This saw the Square share price jump 10% during overnight trade to US$272.38. Which, based on the takeover ratio and current exchange rates, means the implied takeover offer has already increased to A$138.78 per Afterpay share.

This compares to the current Afterpay share price of $114.80, which implies potential upside of almost 21%.

Though, it is worth remembering that the deal is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. This includes a shareholder vote and regulatory approval.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended AFTERPAY T FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on BNPL shares

Business people discussing project on digital tablet.
BNPL shares

$10,000 invested in Zip shares in FY 2025 is now worth

Let's see how this payments company's shares performed in the last financial year.

Read more »

a woman with lots of shopping bags looks upwards towards the sky as if she is pondering something.
BNPL shares

Why this fund manager remains bullish on Zip shares

Zip shares have surged 90% over the past year.

Read more »

A cool dude looks back at the camera while ziplining above the treetops.
BNPL shares

Zip share price rockets 19% on full-year earnings upgrade

Surging again today, Zip shares are now up 127% since their recent April lows.

Read more »

a young woman looks happily at her phone in one hand with a selection of shopping bags in her other hand.
BNPL shares

Up 87% since April, why the Zip share price can keep flying higher into 2026

A leading fund manager expects more outsized gains from Zip shares ahead.

Read more »

Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.
Share Gainers

Guess how much $10,000 invested in Zip shares on 7 April is worth today!

The rebound in the Zip share price since 7 April has been nothing short of remarkable.

Read more »

Frustrated and shocked business woman reading bad news online from phone.
BNPL shares

Why is the Zip share price dropping today?

Let's see how this buy now pay later provider performed in April.

Read more »

A young woman smiles as she rides a zip line high above the trees.
BNPL shares

How Zip shares rebounded 45% from their 7 April lows to beat the ASX 200

Did you catch what happened with Zip shares in April?

Read more »

A young woman in a shop hands her credit card to the cashier.
BNPL shares

Up 41% in 3 weeks, should I buy Zip shares today?

Zip shares have been on a tear in April. Now what?

Read more »