Bravura Solutions Ltd (ASX: BVS) is pushing hard to get the GBST Holdings Limited (ASX: GBT) acquisition through, putting forward a new, higher offer.
About GBST And Bravura
GBST is a technology business that provides services for leading capital market, broking, banking, financial services and wealth management brands. It was founded in 1984 and now claims to be the market leader in Australia and New Zealand. It also operates in Asia, the UK and North America.
Bravura is a wealth management software business established in 2004. If this acquisition goes ahead, it won’t be their first. In fact, it’ll be their tenth.
Previous Offers
Bravura originally launched a takeover offer in April this year for GBST Holdings, offering $2.50 per share. Following this offer, the companies engaged in due diligence which lead to the second offer.
The second offer was put forward on 19th June 2019, and the offer was for $2.72 per share. This offer represented a 49% premium to the average share price between the release of GBST’s half-year result and the day before the first takeover bid.
Final Offer
Bravura has put forward a new offer this morning, and it’s now or never for this acquisition. The offer price is $3.00 per share and Bravura has confirmed to the GBST Board that they do not intend to make a better offer unless another company beats the existing offer.
The offer is conditional on execution of an exclusivity deed, a period of exclusive due diligence and an intention from the GBST Board to unanimously recommend the proposal.
According to the GBST Board, they have been approached “by a number of other parties also expressing interest in GBST and its business”.
The GBST Board is reviewing the proposal but has also opened the floor for other offers from the parties mentioned above. The announcement also notes that Bravura’s offer lacks some of the details GBST was expecting, including an Exclusivity Deposit Fee.
Will This Go Ahead?
Bravura seems intent on this acquisition, but it sounds like there’s a chance of another company moving in and making a better offer. Bravura and GBST will be companies to watch very closely.
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Disclosure: At the time of writing, Max does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.