---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-23-102594"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0001353283"
company_name: "SPLUNK INC"
filed_at: "2023-09-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-10T10:27:40.289477+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.95
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.95
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Cisco to acquire Splunk for $157/share in ~$28B cash deal

## Summary
- Cisco to pay $157 per share in cash, representing approx $28B equity value for Splunk.
- Expected closing by end of Q3 2024, subject to Splunk shareholder and regulatory approvals.
- Hellman & Friedman, holding 7.6% of Splunk shares, agreed to vote in favor of the merger.
- Cisco expects deal to be cash flow positive and gross margin accretive in first fiscal year post-close.
- Splunk CEO Gary Steele will join Cisco's Executive Leadership Team reporting to Chuck Robbins.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-23-102594
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0001353283
- company_name: SPLUNK INC
- filed_at: 2023-09-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.95
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.95
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.03, 7.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1353283/000110465923102594/0001104659-23-102594-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1353283/000110465923102594/tm2326347d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-102594
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-102594.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-102594.txt

## Key facts
- Governance Changes
  SPLUNK INC: Added new Section 9.5 to Article IX of the bylaws designating the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain legal actions and the federal district courts as the exclusive forum for Securities Act claims (effective 2023-09-20).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2023-09-20
  source text: On September 20, 2023 , the Board adopted an amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “ Bylaws ”), which became effective immediately (the “ Bylaws Amendment ”). The Bylaws Amendment added a new Section 9.5 in Article IX to the Bylaws, which provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for certain legal actions involving the Company will be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1353283/000110465923102594/0001104659-23-102594-index.htm
- Material Agreements
  SPLUNK INC entered into Agreement and Plan of Merger with Cisco Systems, Inc. valued at $157.00 per share, aggregate equity value approximately $28 billion (effective 2023-09-20).
  - Action: entry
  - Agreement: merger
  - Counterparty: Cisco Systems, Inc.
  - Value: $157.00 per share, aggregate equity value approximately $28 billion
  - Effective: 2023-09-20
  source text: On September 20, 2023, Splunk Inc. (“ Splunk ” or the “ Company ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) by and among the Company, Cisco Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Cisco ” or “ Parent ”), and Spirit Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1353283/000110465923102594/0001104659-23-102594-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.