Softcat stock heads into the open after a 2.7% rise

At the close on September 17, 2026, Softcat stock finished at 1,968.00 pence on the London Stock Exchange, up 2.7%. The move came as the company announced a USD 1.05 billion deal to acquire US-based GDT and issued a full-year trading update.

Softcat stock closed at 1,968.00 pence on the London Stock Exchange on September 17, 2026, rising 2.7% from the previous session. Per London market data, the shares traded between roughly 1,920.00 and 1,980.00 pence during the day, with volumes noticeably above the recent average, and the close left the price near the upper end of its current weekly range.

September 17, 2026 in numbers

Softcat plc (ISIN GB00BYZ2B577) gained 2.7% on September 17, 2026, closing at 1,968.00 pence on the London Stock Exchange after a strong session that followed significant corporate news. As Morningstar reported, the company announced after the London equity market close that it had agreed to acquire US IT solutions provider General Datatech (GDT) in a transaction valued at USD 1.05 billion and issued a full-year trading update. A related release from Softcat confirmed the acquisition structure and updated guidance, with the company outlining funding plans and leverage targets in detail, according to Reuters. The 2.7% share price gain outpaced the broader FTSE 250 index, which was broadly flat on the day, indicating that investors reacted specifically to Softcat specific news rather than to a wider market move.

Alongside the acquisition announcement, Softcat detailed a planned equity raise to support the funding of the deal and its capital structure ambitions. As Investing.com reported on September 17, 2026, the company outlined plans for a 350 million pounds equity raise to help finance the purchase of GDT, with expected net debt leverage of 1.3 times at closing and a target leverage range of 0.5 to 1.0 times by July 2028. These funding details and leverage targets formed a key part of market commentary around the stock and were widely cited as providing clarity on balance sheet implications of the acquisition.

Today's focus on deal funding and retail offer

Today, September 18, 2026, attention around Softcat is set to remain on the GDT transaction and associated capital measures as trading resumes after the prior session's news-heavy close. In particular, the company is running a retail share offer to support the planned equity raise, with the offer expected to close at 9:00 p.m. on September 17, 2026, subject to the company's discretion and potential oversubscription, according to Reuters. As Investing.com noted, the retail offer is aimed at allowing individual investors to participate in the equity raise that will contribute to financing the USD 1.05 billion GDT acquisition. Heading into today's session, investors can therefore expect ongoing focus on the execution of the equity raise, the final size of the retail offer and broader market reactions to Softcat's expanded US strategy and leverage framework.