Finalización de la venta global de Verne
15 de marzo de 2024
PLC DE INFRAESTRUCTURA DIGITAL 9
("D9" o la "Sociedad" y, junto con sus filiales, el "Grupo")
Finalización de la venta global de Verne
The Board of D9 (the "Junta Directiva ") is pleased to announce that it has completed the sale of the Company's entire stake in the Verne Global group of companies ("Verne Global") to funds managed or advised by Ardian France SA ("ardiano") for an equity purchase price of up to US$575 million (approximately £450 million*) (the "Verne Transaction"), in line with the equity purchase price communicated by the Company in the announcement on 27 November 2023. Following the Verne Transaction's completion the Company has received US$415 million (£325.8 million) (the "Precio de compra inicial"). The completion follows receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of all conditions in line with the previously communicated timetable.
As noted in the Company announcement on 27 November 2023, the purchase price also comprises:
i. US$25 million (approximately £19.5 million*) of a deferred consideration payment which is payable on the earlier of 15 business days after the date on which a new power agreement is entered into and 26 April 2024 (the "Consideración diferida") y
ii. Objetivo de rendimiento"). The total earn-out will be payable if 100% of the Performance Target is met and will be reduced on a sliding scale with no earn-out being payable if Verne Global does not achieve 80% of the Performance Target. This target is as set in the business plan provided to all potential purchasers at the time of the sale process. A potential earn-out payment of up to US$135 million (approximately £106 million*), which is payable subject to Verne Global achieving run-rate EBITDA targets for the financial year ending December 2026 (the "
The Company believes that Ardian's own value creation objectives are aligned with deploying the requisite capital expenditures to enable Verne Global to deliver in line with or close to the Performance Target. The Company has no capital expenditure obligations to Verne Global going forward. The Company also benefits from customary protections to ensure Verne Global continues operating and reporting substantially in line with existing practices, including quarterly updates on its run-rate EBITDA achievements.
As previously announced, the Verne Transaction closing will enable the Company to significantly deleverage its balance sheet and provide the cash resources necessary for the Company to strengthen its financial position.
The Initial Purchase Price proceeds received will be used as follows:
· £273.5 million will go towards repayment and partial cancellation of the Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF");
· Up to £17 million will be used to pay costs incurred in relation to the Verne Transaction;
· Around £12 million will be retained to cover future operational expenses of the Company if and when required; and
· Around £23 million will be retained for prudent capital management to cover for possible future liabilities arising from certain Value-Added Tax related indemnification provisions and will be available for additional RCF repayment and cancellation if and when an insurance policy to cover these potential future liabilities will be taken out.
Following receipt of the Deferred Consideration, an additional repayment and cancellation of the RCF of approximately £19.5 million* will be made, reducing the residual RCF to approximately £80 million.
If approved by shareholders at the upcoming General Meeting on 25 March 2024, the Company intends to use equity proceeds generated by the orderly disposal of the Company's wholly-owned assets to fully repay and cancel the residual RCF.
* GBP amounts based on a 1.28 USD/GBP exchange rate as of 13 2024 marzo.
Termina.
PARA MÁS INFORMACIÓN SOBRE LA COMPAÑÍA, CONTACTE:
Gestión de inversiones de punto triple LLP (Gestor de inversiones) Diego Massidda ben beaton Arnaud Jaguín | 44 0 20 7201 8989
|
JP Morgan Cazenove (Corporativo conjunto Broker) Guillermo Simmons Jeremie Birnbaum | 44 0 20 7742 4000 |
Peel Hunt (empresa conjunta Broker) lucas simpson Hola jeremy | +44 0 20 7418 8900
|
Acerca de Digital 9 Infraestructura plc:
Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (DGI9) es un fideicomiso de inversión que cotiza en la Bolsa de Valores de Londres y forma parte del FTSE All-Share, con el símbolo DGI9. La Compañía invierte en la infraestructura de Internet que sustenta la economía digital del mundo: la infraestructura digital.
El Gestor de Inversiones es Triple Point Investment Management LLP ("Triple punto") which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information on the Investment Manager please visit www.triplepoint.es. Para obtener más información, visite www.d9infraestructura.com.
RNS puede usar su dirección IP para confirmar el cumplimiento de los términos y condiciones, para analizar cómo interactúa con la información contenida en esta comunicación y para compartir dicho análisis de forma anónima con otros como parte de nuestros servicios comerciales. Para obtener más información sobre cómo RNS y la Bolsa de Valores de Londres utilizan los datos personales que nos proporciona, consulte nuestra Política de privacidad.