Schneider Electric acquires PTC for $22.6B to expand data center software

Schneider Electric announced its largest-ever acquisition, agreeing to buy US software firm PTC for $22.6 billion to strengthen its data center business amid surging demand. The deal marks a strategic pivot toward software and high-growth infrastructure, but investors reacted negatively, sending Schneider shares down nearly 10% in early Paris trading, reflecting concerns over the acquisition's size and integration risks.