Darktrace shares slump after takeover talks collapse

Private-equity firm Thoma Bravo ends bid interest in scandal-hit British AI and cybersecurity firm

Shares in Darktrace, the British artificial intelligence and cybersecurity company, slumped by 30% after US private-equity firm Thoma Bravo walked away from a potential takeover of the business, whose founder, Mike Lynch, is fighting extradition to the US on fraud charges.

Despite full-year results that showed an increase in sales, helping the Cambridge-based company turn last year's heavy losses into profit, investors sold off Darktrace stock in droves on Thursday, as the chances of a money-spinning takeover evaporated.