SoftBank Weighs Allied Universal Deal With Up to $18 Billion Equity Value

SoftBank Group Corp. is weighing a possible acquisition of Allied Universal, the largest security services firm in the United States, in a transaction that could carry an equity value of up to $18 billion.

The figure is a potential equity value, not a settled purchase price. The possibility is not a confirmed bid, and the companies have not agreed on a price. SoftBank's U.S.-traded depositary receipts (SFTBY) were down 9.5% during trading on Oct. 16.