splunk stock: history, acquisition, and data

This article explains what splunk stock refers to, summarizes Splunk Inc.’s business and listing history, reviews historical price and financial metrics, details Cisco’s acquisition and delisting t...

2024-07-15 05:02:00

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Splunk stock (SPLK)

splunk stock refers to the publicly traded shares of Splunk Inc. (ticker symbol SPLK) as they existed before the company was acquired and taken private by Cisco. This entry explains the company’s business, listing and delisting history, notable historical price and volume metrics, the Cisco acquisition and resulting shareholder treatment, and where to find verified historical market data. Readers will learn what splunk stock meant for investors, what changed after the buyout, and how to verify last-trade values and corporate filings.

Overview

Splunk is an enterprise software company focused on data platform services, security information and event management (SIEM), and observability solutions. In the context of US equities, splunk stock historically denoted ordinary shares of Splunk Inc. traded under the ticker SPLK on the NASDAQ exchange. For investors and researchers, splunk stock historically represented exposure to enterprise software for machine data, log analysis, security telemetry, and real-time observability.

This article reviews the company background, listing history, major price and valuation milestones for splunk stock, and the acquisition by Cisco that led to delisting. Where numerical values are used (prices, market capitalization, ranges), they are time-stamped and attributed to major market data providers or official filings so readers can verify the figures.

Company background

Splunk was founded to help organizations collect, index, search, and analyze machine-generated data—logs, telemetry, metrics, and traces—from IT systems, applications, and security tools. The company’s platform combines data ingestion, search, analytics, dashboards, and specialized modules for security (Splunk Enterprise Security), IT operations, and observability.

Splunk’s core markets included enterprises with complex IT environments, security teams requiring real-time threat detection and investigation, and engineering teams needing observability over distributed systems. The company positioned itself as a leader in several vendor assessments and analyst reports, particularly in security information and event management (SIEM) and observability categories.

Headquartered in the United States, Splunk grew from a specialized log-search tool into a broader data platform provider offering SaaS and on-premises deployments, commercial subscriptions, and professional services.

Listing history and ticker symbol

Splunk completed its initial public offering (IPO) and began trading on NASDAQ under the ticker SPLK. From its IPO onward, splunk stock was the ticker investors used to follow Splunk Inc.’s equity performance. Over its public life, the company executed secondary offerings, share-based compensation programs, and other corporate actions typical for a public technology company.

Key listing milestones for splunk stock included the IPO date and subsequent inclusion in various sector indices and coverage by sell-side analysts. The ticker SPLK remained the primary market identifier until the acquisition by Cisco led to its removal from public exchanges.

Historical stock performance

splunk stock experienced periods of strong appreciation, heightened volatility, and sizable swings driven by product launches, quarterly earnings, competitive dynamics, and broader technology sector cycles. Like many enterprise software providers, Splunk’s share price was sensitive to subscription revenue trends, margin progress on the shift to cloud and SaaS, guidance in quarterly reports, and investor sentiment regarding software valuations.

Major drivers of volatility for splunk stock historically included:

Quarterly earnings results and forward guidance, which could produce sharp moves on beats or misses.
Product and go-to-market announcements that affected expectations for subscription growth and churn.
Macroeconomic or sector-wide technology sell-offs that compressed multiples in high-growth software names.
M&A speculation and, ultimately, the definitive acquisition agreement with Cisco.

Key price and volume metrics (examples)

As of March 21, 2024, MarketBeat and other aggregators reported a last-traded price for splunk stock of approximately $156.90 per share and a 52-week range near $82.19–$156.97. Source: MarketBeat/StockAnalysis (time-stamped data; confirm via archived quotes).
As of March 21–22, 2024, market capitalization for Splunk based on last-trade prices was commonly reported in the range of roughly $24–26 billion across major data providers. Source: TradingEconomics / StockAnalysis (time-stamped).
Average daily volume and liquidity metrics for splunk stock varied over time; in the months leading to the acquisition, average daily traded shares commonly ranged from several hundred thousand to a few million shares depending on market activity. Source: Robinhood / StockAnalysis (historical volume data).
Historical volatility: splunk stock showed elevated realized volatility compared with large-cap staples, consistent with growth-oriented software equities.

Note: All the price, market-cap, and volume figures above are time-stamped to March 2024 and reflected last-trade archival data. Aggregators may show slightly different archival values; verify specific figures against the source and date you rely on.

Acquisition by Cisco and delisting

In 2023–2024 Splunk became the subject of acquisition interest culminating in a definitive agreement with Cisco. The deal valued Splunk at an enterprise and equity consideration reported at approximately $28 billion.

As of March 22, 2024, according to Cisco’s official press release, Cisco completed the acquisition of Splunk and Splunk became a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco. Source: Cisco press release (time-stamped March 22, 2024).
Following the closing of the transaction, splunk stock (ticker SPLK) was delisted from NASDAQ and ceased regular public trading. Shareholders received the agreed tender/buyout consideration as specified in the transaction documents.

The acquisition meant that splunk stock no longer represented a freely traded public equity; instead, former public shareholders either tendered their shares or received the cash or stock consideration specified in the deal.

Timeline of the transaction

Announcement date: The parties publicly announced the transaction and terms prior to regulatory review (see press coverage and company filings for the exact announcement date). Source: Press reports and company announcements (see References).
Regulatory review: The deal underwent regulatory and antitrust review in relevant jurisdictions. As of March 2024, approvals necessary to close the transaction were obtained. Source: Reporting by major financial outlets and company statements.
Closing and delisting: As of March 22, 2024, Cisco announced the transaction closing and Splunk was transitioned into a Cisco subsidiary; splunk stock was delisted and removed from NASDAQ quotations. Source: Cisco press release (March 22, 2024).
Post-close treatment: Former public shareholders were paid according to the merger consideration and settlement procedures disclosed in the merger agreement and related SEC filings.

Financials and valuation (historical)

Prior to being acquired, Splunk reported revenue and profitability trends aligned with enterprise software transitions to cloud and subscription models. Key historical financial items investors examined for splunk stock included:

Annual and quarterly revenue growth rates, with attention to subscription vs. license revenue split.
Gross margin and operating margin trends as the business invested in R&D and go-to-market expansion.
Adjusted earnings metrics and non-GAAP profitability indicators commonly reported by the company.
Valuation multiples such as EV/Revenue (enterprise value to trailing or forward revenue) and price-to-earnings (P/E) when applicable.

As an example of time-stamped reporting:

As of the fiscal year ending January 2024 (company fiscal year), Splunk reported revenue figures and growth rates in its annual report and investor presentations. Source: Splunk investor relations and SEC filings (archived). Verify specific revenue and EPS numbers by referencing the stated filing date.

Analysts often used revenue multiples and forward revenue projections to value splunk stock prior to the acquisition. The reported acquisition price implied valuation multiples consistent with strategic value as assessed by Cisco and its advisors.

Shareholder structure and ownership

Before the acquisition, institutional investors and mutual funds held a substantial portion of splunk stock, as is typical for large-cap U.S. technology companies. Major institutional holders, insider holdings, and index-related ownership were reported in public filings and by financial data aggregators.

As of the weeks leading up to the acquisition announcement, public data aggregators listed several large institutional holders owning material percentages of Splunk’s outstanding shares. Source: Market data aggregators and 13F schedules (time-stamped in Q4/Q1 filings).
During the buyout process, ownership concentration often increased as major holders disclosed tender decisions or accepted the merger consideration; filings and proxy materials documented changes in holdings and voting recommendations.

For precise percentage ownership details at specific dates, consult the company’s proxy statements, Schedule 13D/G filings, and aggregated institutional holding snapshots published by major data providers.

Analyst coverage and market sentiment

splunk stock attracted coverage from sell-side analysts, independent research outlets, and financial media. Analyst commentary prior to and during the acquisition included:

Consensus ratings and price targets from sell-side analysts, many of which were updated when the acquisition terms were announced.
Research notes summarizing revenue trajectory, margin improvement expectations, and competitive positioning in security and observability.
Coverage in financial news outlets and technology press analyzing strategic rationale for Cisco’s acquisition and implications for the market.

As with any acquisition, analyst sentiment shifted toward evaluating the fairness of the offer, the premium to prevailing market prices, and expected synergies under Cisco ownership. For contemporaneous analyst ratings and final recommended actions, refer to the research reports and investor communications published around the deal announcement and closing dates.

Trading platforms and market data sources

Historical quotes, charts, and archival data for splunk stock were available from major market data aggregators and brokerage platforms. After the Cisco acquisition and delisting, these platforms continue to show historical prices and volume but do not list SPLK as an active ticker for new public trading.

Common sources that reported on SPLK and provided archival data include TradingEconomics, MarketBeat, Robinhood, StockAnalysis, Stockopedia, Motley Fool, Business Insider/Markets Insider, StockTwits, and Public.com. For investors using brokerage services, confirm whether a platform offers historical equities data and the date-stamped snapshot you require.

Note on platform mentions: If you are seeking a trading or data platform, Bitget offers market research features and historical price data for major tickers, and Bitget’s ecosystem includes product offerings for traders and researchers. For archival verification of splunk stock metrics, consult official filings and primary sources in addition to aggregator snapshots.

Corporate actions and investor impact

The Cisco acquisition triggered several corporate actions that impacted shareholders and derivative holders:

Tender offers and merger consideration: The merger agreement specified whether consideration was cash, stock, or a combination. Shareholders were paid per the merger terms upon closing. Source: Merger agreement and tender documents filed with the SEC.
Treatment of options and RSUs: Employee stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other awards were handled according to the merger agreement’s schedule—some options were cashed out, converted, or assumed by the acquirer. Employees received notices detailing treatment of equity awards.
Settlement mechanics: Shareholders who held SPLK at record dates or who tendered under the tender offer received payments through their brokerage or the merger agent as specified.
Derivatives: Options and other exchange-traded derivatives referencing SPLK were impacted by the delisting—options were typically assigned, settled, or exercised according to exchange rules, and clearinghouses provided detailed notices to market participants.

For exact details on how corporate actions were executed, consult the merger agreement, the company’s investor relations communications, and the settlement notices issued by the transfer agent and clearing organizations.

Regulatory and legal matters

Large technology acquisitions commonly require regulatory review to assess competition and national security implications. The Splunk–Cisco transaction underwent the customary regulatory and antitrust reviews in applicable jurisdictions.

As of March 2024, required reviews and approvals were obtained allowing the transaction to close. Source: Company statements and regulatory filing summaries (time-stamped March 2024).
Any material regulatory conditions or remedies applied to the deal were disclosed in official filings and press releases; readers should review those documents for detailed descriptions of conditions or timelines.

Additionally, typical legal steps for a public-company acquisition—such as shareholder votes, proxy statements, and potential litigation related to deal terms—are documented in public SEC filings and court records when applicable.

Post-acquisition status (as a subsidiary)

After the transaction close, Splunk operated as a subsidiary within Cisco. The company’s products and teams were integrated into Cisco’s broader portfolio of enterprise networking, security, and observability solutions. Key implications for former public investors and market observers included:

Loss of publicly quoted equity: splunk stock ceased regular public trading; historical quotes remain in archives but cannot be purchased or sold in the public markets.
Corporate reporting: Splunk no longer filed independent public quarterly and annual reports as a public company; instead, its results were consolidated within Cisco’s financial reporting where applicable.
Strategic integration: product roadmaps, partner relationships, and enterprise go-to-market plans were integrated or aligned with Cisco’s corporate strategy.

For individuals tracking Splunk’s business performance post-acquisition, Cisco investor communications and business unit disclosures are the primary sources for updates on revenue contribution, product integration, and strategy.

Notable news and events

As of March 22, 2024, Cisco announced completion of the acquisition of Splunk, leading to delisting of splunk stock. Source: Cisco press release (March 22, 2024).
Splunk was repeatedly recognized in industry analyst reports for security and observability capabilities prior to the acquisition (e.g., leadership placements in certain market quadrants and vendor lists). Source: Industry analyst reports (time-stamped prior to acquisition).
Quarterly earnings beats and misses historically moved splunk stock materially; specific dates and magnitudes are available in company earnings releases and archived market reactions. Source: Splunk earnings releases and financial media coverage.

References

This article draws on time-stamped public sources and market-data aggregators for historical price and transaction information. Key source types used include:

Company press releases and investor relations materials (Splunk and Cisco).
SEC filings: merger agreement, proxy statements, 10-Ks, and 8-Ks (archive filings provide exact dates and financials).
Market data aggregators and financial news outlets: TradingEconomics, MarketBeat, StockAnalysis, Robinhood historical quotes, Stockopedia, Motley Fool, Business Insider/Markets Insider, StockTwits, Public.com.

Please verify numerical figures (prices, market cap, 52-week ranges) against the specific source and date you require, because archival snapshots can vary slightly between providers.

External links

Splunk corporate site (investor relations and press releases). Consult the company’s investor relations page for historical SEC filings and earnings releases.
Cisco press releases (for the acquisition closing announcement and post-acquisition statements).
SEC EDGAR archive for the merger agreement, proxy materials, and 10-K filings.

Notes: External resources are referenced by name for archival and verification purposes. No external URLs are included in this entry.

Notes and caveats

splunk stock historically referred to publicly traded shares of Splunk Inc. under ticker SPLK on NASDAQ. After the completed acquisition by Cisco in March 2024, splunk stock was delisted and ceased public trading. Time-stamped figures in this article reference archival data; always confirm values against original filings or archived exchange data for the specific date you are analyzing.
The numerical examples provided (last-trade price, 52-week range, and market capitalization) are time-stamped to March 2024 and were commonly reported by major aggregators at that time. Aggregator values can vary; use the stated source when verifying a number.
This article is informational and neutral. It is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.