IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Creditex Group Inc., with the transaction consideration totalling $625 million comprising approximately $565 million in ICE common stock and $60 million in cash, as well as a working capital adjustment to be finalised at closing.
Approximately $50 million of the cash component is intended to provide some liquidity to employees that hold Creditex stock, and the remaining cash will be provided to unaccredited Creditex shareholders in lieu of shares of ICE common stock. Upon the closing of the transaction, expected during late third quarter 2008, Creditex Group will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICE, operating under the Creditex name.
“We are pleased to announce this exciting strategic combination and for the opportunity to serve the interdealer CDS market by joining with an established market leader. We believe that together we can meet the demand for enhanced operational and risk management tools required by dealers and their clients today. The credit derivatives sector is one of the largest segments of the OTC market, and we expect that the highly regarded team at Creditex will continue to lead with innovative solutions to ensure that liquidity and risk management tools evolve with these markets,” says Jeffrey C. Sprecher, chairman and CEO, ICE.
“We are very excited about this transaction and look forward to the opportunities ahead in strengthening our position as a leader in CDS by partnering with ICE. Our companies have common origins in supporting dealers by providing the key infrastructure required to grow their businesses. ICE clearly represents the best fit in terms of innovation, global relationships and a culture of growth, as well as having the complementary ability to meet the execution and processing needs of our dealer clients in the fast-growing CDS markets. Creditex’s products and services, together with ICE’s management team, range of OTC expertise, and post-trade infrastructure, will enhance our CDS offering to best meet the needs of our clients in this expanding marketplace,” adds Sunil Hirani chairman and CEO, Creditex.
The transaction is expected to be accretive in 12 to 18 months from closing. Based on recent results and expected synergies, the transaction would yield $9 million to $14 million in total pretax synergies in 2009, comprising incremental revenues and expenses.