IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO), a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ipreo, a leading financial services solutions and data provider, for $1.855 billion from private equity funds managed by Blackstone and the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory filings and approvals, including with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.