Ebix, EBIX, a leading
international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services to the
insurance industry, today announced that it has entered into a definitive
merger agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
("Goldman Sachs") in a transaction valued at approximately $820 million,
including the assumption of any outstanding debt.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ebix shareholders will receive $20.00 per
share in cash. This represents a premium of approximately 18% over Ebix's
average daily closing price over the preceding 30 days.
"After considering a number of potential alternatives, the Ebix board, acting
on the recommendation of a special committee comprised entirely of independent
directors, unanimously approved this transaction, which provides significant
and immediate value to shareholders," said Robin Raina, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Ebix. "With our market-leading servicing platforms and
talented team of insurance and technology professionals, Ebix will be
well-positioned as a private company to continue to execute on our strategic
initiatives and pursue growth opportunities around the world."
"We have great respect for Ebix and its strong commitment to providing
customers with the highest quality of software and E-commerce services in the
insurance industry," said Sumit Rajpal, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs. "We
look forward to working with the Company and helping it maximize its growth
potential."
The board of directors of Ebix, on the unanimous recommendation of a special
committee of independent directors of the board, has approved the merger
agreement and has resolved to recommend that Ebix shareholders approve the
transaction. Robin Raina and the Rennes Fondation, which together own
approximately 19% of the outstanding common shares, have entered into separate
voting agreements under which they have agreed, subject to certain exceptions,
to vote their respective shares in favor of the proposed transaction. Robin
Raina and the Rennes Fondation will continue to be meaningful equity investors
in Ebix.
The merger agreement contains a "go-shop" provision under which Ebix may
solicit alternative proposals from third parties during the next 45 calendar
days on customary terms and conditions for transactions of this nature. Ebix's
special committee, with the assistance of its advisors, will actively solicit
acquisition proposals during this period. There can be no assurances that this
process will result in any alternative transaction.
The proposed transaction is subject to antitrust approvals, shareholder
approval and other customary closing conditions. The transaction, which is not
conditioned upon financing, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2013.
At that time, Ebix will become a private company and its shares will no longer
be listed on any public exchange.
Ebix will be submitting a current report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") containing a summary of terms and
conditions of the proposed transaction and merger agreement.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to the special committee
of the board of Ebix and has provided a fairness opinion in connection with
the transaction. Alston & Bird LLP and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. acted
as legal advisors to the special committee.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Credit Suisse AG acted as financial advisors to
Goldman Sachs and have provided debt financing commitments for the
transaction. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as legal advisor to Goldman
Sachs.
About Ebix, Inc.
A leading international supplier of On-Demand software and E-commerce services
to the insurance industry, Ebix, Inc., EBIX provides end-to-end
solutions ranging from infrastructure exchanges, carrier systems, agency
systems and BPO services to custom software development for all entities
involved in the insurance industry.
With 30+ offices across Brazil, Singapore, Australia, the US, New Zealand,
India and Canada, Ebix powers multiple exchanges across the world in the field
of life, annuity, health and property & casualty insurance while conducting in
excess of $100 billion in insurance premiums on its platforms. Through its
various SaaS-based software platforms, Ebix employs hundreds of insurance and
technology professionals to provide products, support and consultancy to
thousands of customers on six continents. For more information, visit the
Company's website at www.ebix.com.
About Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global investment banking,
securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of
financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes
corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth
individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and
maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. For more
information on Goldman Sachs, please visit www.gs.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
We have made forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in this press release. The words "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," "may" and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that could cause our actual results, performance and
achievements, to differ materially from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain
factors that could cause actual events not to occur as expressed in the
forward-looking statement include among others: the occurrence of any event,
change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the
merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted
against Ebix related to the merger agreement; the inability to complete the
proposed transaction due to the failure to obtain shareholder approval for the
proposed transaction or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion
of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals
related to the proposed transaction; risks that the proposed transaction
disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in
employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction; the effects of
local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the
economy in general, and other risks and uncertainties described herein, as
well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in our other
reports and other public filings with the SEC.
Although we presently believe that the plans, expectations and results
expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
all forward-looking statements are inherently subjective, uncertain and
subject to change, as they involve substantial risks and uncertainties beyond
our control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for
us to predict the nature, or assess the potential impact, of each new factor
on our business. Given these uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to
update or revise any of our forward-looking statements for events or
circumstances that arise after the statement is made, except as otherwise may
be required by law. This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a
summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be
exhaustive. Additional information regarding risk factors that may affect us
is included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and subsequent filings with the
SEC.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, Ebix will file with the SEC and
furnish to the Company's shareholders a proxy statement and other relevant
documents. This press release does not constitute a solicitation of any vote
or approval. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement when it
becomes available and any other documents to be filed with the SEC in
connection with the proposed transaction or incorporated by reference in the
proxy statement because they will contain important information about the
proposed transaction.
Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of documents filed with the SEC
at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors may obtain
a free copy of the Company's filings with the SEC from the Company's website
at http://ebix.com/reports.aspx or by directing a request to: Ebix, Inc., 5
Concourse Parkway, Suite 3200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, Attn: Investor
Relations, (678) 281-2043, IR@ebix.com.
The directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and
employees of the Company may be deemed "participants" in the solicitation of
proxies from shareholders of the Company in favor of the proposed merger
transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the
SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of the
Company in connection with the proposed transaction will be set forth in the
proxy statement and the other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC. You
can find information about the Company's executive officers and directors in
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
CONTACT: Investors
Steven Barlow, IR, 678-281-2043 or
steve.barlow@ebix.com
Aaron Tikkoo, IR, 678-281-2027 or
atikkoo@ebix.com
Media
Andy Brimmer / Tim Lynch / Andrew Siegel
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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