Dow Jones Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Dragonfly Intelligence and Oxford Analytica
In a significant move seen as reinforcing its leading position in the market, Dow Jones has agreed to acquire Dragonfly Intelligence and Oxford Analytica from FiscalNote Holdings for a transaction totalling $40 million. This acquisition, which is expected to finalize by the end of the first quarter of 2025, is pending regulatory approval in Austria along with standard closing conditions. This strategic decision comes as Dow Jones aims to broaden its specialized news, data, and analytical services targeted at business professionals.
Dragonfly Intelligence, based in London and Singapore, specializes in providing geopolitical and security intelligence. The firm addresses the needs of crisis management and security professionals by providing real-time insights into ongoing and potential security risks. Their services include predictive analytics that aim to identify and forecast threats, personalized access to expert analysts, and risk assessment frameworks that inform high-stakes business and operational decisions for entities like multinational corporations and financial institutions.
On the other hand, Oxford Analytica, which has been operational since 1975, offers key macroeconomic and geopolitical risk analyses. With a global network of trusted experts, they provide guidance that helps businesses navigate complex international landscapes and pivot effectively amidst geopolitical uncertainties. Their insights serve as an authoritative resource for companies aiming to stay ahead by understanding the macroeconomic changes that may impact their sectors.
According to Almar Latour, Dow Jones's CEO and Publisher of The Wall Street Journal, the landscape of global business is evolving at an unprecedented speed due to technological advancements and fluctuating geopolitical realities. This has increased demand for comprehensive analysis and accurate information, which both Dragonfly and Oxford Analytica can provide. Their integration into the Dow Jones Risk & Compliance division is expected to enhance its existing suite of products, offering clients extensive resources for assessing geopolitical risks effectively.
The acquisition forms part of Dow Jones's ongoing strategy to bolster its Risk & Compliance division, which reported a healthy revenue growth of 16% year-over-year in fiscal 2024, reaching nearly $300 million. This impressive growth trajectory has been largely fueled by the rising demand for data products and services in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This latest acquisition follows Dow Jones's prior purchase of WorldECR, a news and analysis service focused on global trade compliance, further signifying the company's commitment to expanding its footprint in risk and compliance operations.
In addition to taking on talent and resources from Dragonfly and Oxford Analytica, Dow Jones expects to derive a $4 million tax advantage from the transaction, according to parent company News Corp. This acquisition, alongside other recent moves such as increasing its stake in data intelligence provider Ripjar, highlights Dow Jones’s ambition to become an indispensable provider of information services to the burgeoning risk and compliance sector. Legal counsel for the transaction is being handled by Baker Hostetler LLP, further ensuring that the acquisition complies with all necessary legal standards and practices.
As the risks associated with geopolitical changes continue to escalate, organizations are compelled to adapt swiftly and judiciously. Through this acquisition, Dow Jones not only enriches its offerings but also reinforces its commitment to delivering precise and actionable insights that businesses require in navigating today’s global challenges. The integration of Dragonfly Intelligence and Oxford Analytica is expected to enable Dow Jones to maintain its competitive edge, catering effectively to the needs of its diverse clientele in a rapidly changing world.
Enhancing Geopolitical Intelligence
Dragonfly Intelligence, based in London and Singapore, specializes in providing geopolitical and security intelligence. The firm addresses the needs of crisis management and security professionals by providing real-time insights into ongoing and potential security risks. Their services include predictive analytics that aim to identify and forecast threats, personalized access to expert analysts, and risk assessment frameworks that inform high-stakes business and operational decisions for entities like multinational corporations and financial institutions.
On the other hand, Oxford Analytica, which has been operational since 1975, offers key macroeconomic and geopolitical risk analyses. With a global network of trusted experts, they provide guidance that helps businesses navigate complex international landscapes and pivot effectively amidst geopolitical uncertainties. Their insights serve as an authoritative resource for companies aiming to stay ahead by understanding the macroeconomic changes that may impact their sectors.
A Response to Increasing Demand
According to Almar Latour, Dow Jones's CEO and Publisher of The Wall Street Journal, the landscape of global business is evolving at an unprecedented speed due to technological advancements and fluctuating geopolitical realities. This has increased demand for comprehensive analysis and accurate information, which both Dragonfly and Oxford Analytica can provide. Their integration into the Dow Jones Risk & Compliance division is expected to enhance its existing suite of products, offering clients extensive resources for assessing geopolitical risks effectively.
Growth and Expansion Strategy
The acquisition forms part of Dow Jones's ongoing strategy to bolster its Risk & Compliance division, which reported a healthy revenue growth of 16% year-over-year in fiscal 2024, reaching nearly $300 million. This impressive growth trajectory has been largely fueled by the rising demand for data products and services in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This latest acquisition follows Dow Jones's prior purchase of WorldECR, a news and analysis service focused on global trade compliance, further signifying the company's commitment to expanding its footprint in risk and compliance operations.
Moving Forward
In addition to taking on talent and resources from Dragonfly and Oxford Analytica, Dow Jones expects to derive a $4 million tax advantage from the transaction, according to parent company News Corp. This acquisition, alongside other recent moves such as increasing its stake in data intelligence provider Ripjar, highlights Dow Jones’s ambition to become an indispensable provider of information services to the burgeoning risk and compliance sector. Legal counsel for the transaction is being handled by Baker Hostetler LLP, further ensuring that the acquisition complies with all necessary legal standards and practices.
Conclusion
As the risks associated with geopolitical changes continue to escalate, organizations are compelled to adapt swiftly and judiciously. Through this acquisition, Dow Jones not only enriches its offerings but also reinforces its commitment to delivering precise and actionable insights that businesses require in navigating today’s global challenges. The integration of Dragonfly Intelligence and Oxford Analytica is expected to enable Dow Jones to maintain its competitive edge, catering effectively to the needs of its diverse clientele in a rapidly changing world.
Topics Financial Services & Investing）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.