TMX Group Limited today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Equity Financial Holdings Inc. (Equity) to acquire its transfer agent and corporate trust services business.
The acquisition marks TMX Group's expansion into a highly- complementary business area with both immediate scale and significant opportunities for growth.
"This acquisition further diversifies our revenue base, opens new growth avenues and provides TMX Group with an even stronger offering for our customers," said Tom Kloet, CEO, TMX Group. "Furthermore, TMX Group is uniquely positioned to build on Equity's success by expanding our relationships with listed companies and the capital markets advisory community."
Transfer agency and corporate trust services complement the strong public company services offering currently provided by TMX Group, including investor relations, design services, shareholder data and tracking, and market analytics. The Equity business currently offers services to 700 clients, most of which are listed on Toronto Stock Exchange or TSX Venture Exchange. In addition, it supports public market activities by maintaining security holder registers, acting as a depositary agent for merger and acquisition transactions, and assisting issuers in discharging their obligation to hold meetings of security holders.
"With this acquisition we will further broaden our portfolio of services and enhance the value we can deliver to public companies," said Kevan Cowan, President, TSX Markets and TMX Group Head of Equities. "We look forward to welcoming the Equity team of professionals to TMX Group and are excited to work with them to expand the business and serve our customers."
Under the terms of the agreement, TMX Group will pay $64 million for these assets subject to certain post-closing price adjustments, which will be funded from existing cash and credit facilities. Certain terms and conditions within the credit agreement will be amended. In 2012, the business generated revenues of approximately $17 million and was profitable. TMX Group expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings per share in the first year following the closing of the transaction. The transaction, which is expected close at the end of March or early April, is subject to closing conditions, including certain consents and an Equity shareholder vote.