A private equity firm-led investor group announced it would acquire Verifone in a $3.4 billion deal. : Shares of Verifone skyrocketed more than 50 percent in extended trading after a private equity firm-led investor group announced it would acquire the electronic payment company in a $3.4 billion deal. Verifone's stock has fallen about 70% from its peak in 2011. The company's point-of-sale systems, including its widespread credit-card readers, have struggled in competition with lower-priced competitors, especially in emerging markets like Brazil.