Speqta is selling Rahalaitos to Sambla
Speqta AB (publ) (“Speqta”) has entered into an agreement with Nordic Capital owned Sambla Group AB (“Sambla”) to sell the leading loan broker in Finland, Eone Oy (“Rahalaitos”), for approximately EUR 48.4 million (EUR 45.5 million cash free basis) by divestment of all shares in the subsidiary Rahalaitos (the “Transaction”). The purchase price will be paid in cash and is divided into a payment of approximately EUR 40.4 million (EUR 37.5 million cash free basis) to be paid in the beginning of December 2021, and an additional payment of maximum EUR 8.0 million. The sale entails great opportunities for Speqta, that initiates a strategic review of its business in connection with the Transaction.
Speqta acquired Rahalaitos in January 2020 and paid a purchase price of EUR 23.5 million. The acquisition also included an additional earnout, and now Speqta and the seller have agreed that the earnout will be replaced by a payment amounting to EUR 0.75 million based on the purchase price paid at closing of the Transaction. The agreement is subject to completion of the Transaction. Due to the effects of the pandemic Rahalaitos revenue and EBITDA was affected during 2020 and for the greater part of 2021. Despite the challenges, good and stable profitability have been delivered and for the last 12 months up and until September 2021 Rahalaitos turnover was EUR 8.7 million with an EBITDA of EUR 3.0 million.
The purchase price in the Transaction amounts to a maximum of approximately EUR 48.4 million (EUR 45.5 million cash free basis) and consists of a cash payment of approximately EUR 40.4 million (EUR 37.5 million cash free basis) to be paid at closing, which is expected to the beginning of December 2021, and an additional cash payment of maximum EUR 8.0 million. The additional payment is based on achieved revenue and EBITDA of Rahalaitos for the period from 1 November 2021 up to and including 31 October 2022.
In connection with closing Speqta intends to repay all outstanding bank loans. Speqta intends to initiate a strategic review of its business in connection with completion of the Transaction and additional information regarding the result of the strategic review will be communicated in due course.
The CEO of Speqta, Fredrik Lindros, comments:
The sale enables new, great possibilities for Speqta. We have a long history of being an innovative tech company with a strong market position within the field of performance-based marketing. With cash and cash equivalents amounting to almost SEK 300 million and no interest-bearing debts we have several exciting strategic opportunities in front of us. Therefore we are initiating a strategic review of our business.
Fredrik Lindros continues:
Despite the challenges during the pandemic Rahalaitos have delivered good and stable profitability and have been a successful and value creating acquisition for us. Now we chose to be a part of the consolidation on the loan brokerage market and we see that Rahalaitos will get better opportunities to continue to develop within the Sambla group and with their strong owners Nordic Capital.
The CEO of Sambla, Per Österström, comments:
Both Sambla Group and our owner Nordic Capital have during a longer period followed Rahalaitos and we are impressed of how the company has developed. Rahalaitos management has successfully navigated through the Covid-19 related challenges and delivered profitable return. We are looking forward to working with Rahalaitos management and employees, and together grow and achieve new opportunities to product development that improves the economy of consumers and drives a positive development of our industry.
The new conditions present after completion of the sale of Rahalaitos entails that Speqta’s financial targets, communicated in February 2020, no longer is relevant. See separate press release.
This information is information that Speqta AB (publ) is obliged to make public, pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information in this press release has been released through the agency of the below person, to be published November 8, 2021 at 23:00 CET.
For further information:
Fredrik Lindros
CEO Speqta AB (publ)
fredrik.lindros@speqta.com
+46 723 10 66 66
About Speqta
Speqta offers the best performance-based lead generation-platforms using data and AI, and shall grow organically and though acquisition in new and current markets. The company has two business areas, Speqta AdTech and Speqta Content & Comparison. The company is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm under the ticker "SPEQT". The company's Certified Adviser is Västra Hamnen Corporate Finance AB, telephone number: +46 40 20 02 50, e-mail: ca@vhcorp.se
www.speqta.com
