Helen of Troy board rejects Empower Brands' 'opportunistic' $1.6B bid

Helen of Troy's board unanimously rejected Empower Brands' unsolicited $37-per-share proposal, which implies an enterprise value of about $1.6 billion. The Hydro Flask and OXO owner said the bid was timed to exploit a tariff-hit stock price and that Empower refused a nondisclosure agreement.

Why it matters: The rebuff sets up a potential standoff between the Black and Decker brand owner and a consumer company betting on its turnaround plan.