REUTERS - Oracle Corp said it would buy NetSuite Inc in a deal valued at about $9.3 billion to expand into the fast-growing cloud market.
Netsuite shares rose 18.6 percent to $108.64 in premarket trading, just shy of the offer price of $109 per share.
Like rivals SAP SE and Microsoft Corp, Oracle has focused on moving its business to the cloud-based model, essentially providing services remotely via data centers rather than selling installed software.
NetSuite, founded in 1998, pioneered the cloud computing revolution, by creating the first company dedicated to providing business applications over the internet.
Oracle has also acquired companies such as Textura and Opower to increase its competitiveness in the cloud market.
The company expects the deal to immediately add to its adjusted earnings in the first full fiscal year after the transaction closes.
Oracle shares were up 1.6 percent at $41.6 in premarket trading.
(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
