Ritchie Bros. Secures $500M Strategic Investment From Starboard; Raises Cash Payout In IAA Proposal

• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc (NYSE: RBA) has changed the terms of its acquisition proposal of IAA Inc (NYSE: IAA), increasing the cash consideration to IAA shareholders.

• Under the terms of the amended agreement, IAA shareholders will receive $12.80 per share in cash and 0.5252 common shares of Ritchie Bros. for each share of IAA common stock they own.

• The change in consideration mix represents a shift in the cash/stock mix to approximately 29% cash/71% stock from the previous mix of 22% cash/78% stock.

• The amended agreement has been unanimously approved by each company's Board of Directors.

• Also, Ritchie Bros. Board of Directors expects to approve the issuance of a one-time special dividend to Ritchie Bros. shareholders of $1.08 per common share.

• In November 2022, Ritchie Bros. agreed to acquire IAA in a stock and cash transaction valued at $7.3 billion, including $1.0 billion net debt.

• "We are pleased to have reached an amended agreement with IAA, which reflects feedback we've received from shareholders regarding the best structure for the transaction," said CEO Ann Fandozzi.

• In addition, Ancora Alternatives has agreed to vote its shares, representing 4% of IAA's voting power, in favor of the revised transaction. Tim O'Day is expected to be appointed to the Ritchie Bros. Board as one of the four IAA board designees.

• Strategic Investment: In a separate release issued this morning, Ritchie Bros. announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with Starboard Value LP.

• Starboard will make a concurrent $485 million convertible preferred equity and $15 million common share investment in Ritchie Bros.

• Starboard is fully supportive of the acquisition of IAA by Ritchie Bros., however, Starboard's investment will not vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders.

• In connection with the investment, Starboard CEO Jeffrey Smith will be appointed to the Ritchie Bros. Board.

• Price Action: RBA shares are trading higher by 2.79% at $61.85 and IAA is up 6.59% at $43.33 on the last check Monday.

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This article originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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