FitzWalter Raises Auction Technology Buyout Bid to $658 Million

Private equity firm FitzWalter Capital has increased its takeover offer for Auction Technology Group to 491 million pounds ($658 million), after the company rejected multiple earlier bids.

The new proposal values Auction Technology at 400 pence per share, an 11% increase from FitzWalter’s previous 360 pence offer. Shares in Auction Technology jumped as much as 15% following the announcement, after having lost nearly half their value in 2025.

FitzWalter, which owns over 21% of the company, has criticised Auction Technology’s management for poor engagement and for margin pressure following the acquisition of U.S. marketplace Chairish. Auction Technology has described the bids as “opportunistic” and said they undervalue the business.

One major shareholder told Reuters the latest offer still fails to reflect the company’s intrinsic value. FitzWalter has urged shareholders to push the board to negotiate before a February 2 deadline, after which it must make a firm offer or walk away.