Opera can absorb for $ 1.2 billion

Today, Opera has confirmed receipt of a takeover bid by the game developer Beijing Kunlun Tech and software developer Qihoo 360, among whose investors are Golden Brick Capital Management and Yonglian for $ 1.2 billion.
Opera's Board of Directors unanimously came to the decision that shareholders need to approve the takeover. And the information about this proposal was confirmed by the official representative of Opera Ilya Shpankov. Nevertheless, while the leadership of Opera has not published an official press release on the takeover, indicating only the consideration of the transaction by shareholders.

“It will be a strong strategic decision. The takeover will strengthen Opera’s position in the market in order to provide customers with even more innovative solutions and expand their growth potential in the market, ”said Opera CEO Lars Boylsen.

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Currently, Opera is mainly known for its browser, but the company is also developing data compression systems, as well as platforms for selling advertising. Despite a small share among desktop computers, Opera occupies one of the leading positions in the mobile market.

In recent years, Opera has tried to literally "survive" on the mobile browser market by compressing video clips.

“We are compression kings, even large players want to enter this segment after us. The video is on the rise, ”CEO Opera Lars Boylsen shared with journalists Re / code in 2014.

Despite such ambitious statements, the share of Opera browser in the market has practically not increased in comparison with competing solutions. Given the high competition in the market, it’s hard to imagine that Opera will be able to greatly improve its market position compared to Safari, Google Chrome and other leading browsers. To compete with the latest Opera will have to use something more than simple video compression, otherwise the browser share will remain at the same low level.

“Kunlun has always been among the first in international markets and has already managed to win a large market share in Asia, Europe and others. Combining Opera and Kunlun, along with Qihoo, Golden Brick, will enable us to strengthen our position in the international market, ”said Yaha Zhou, Kunlun’s CEO.

Today, Opera should report on the results of the last fiscal quarter. Supposedly, at the same time, the company will provide more information on takeover plans from Beijing Kunlun Tech and Qihoo 360.