Vend Marketplaces ASA (OSL:VEND)
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Apr 30, 2026, 4:25 PM CET
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Investor Update

Nov 21, 2023

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay, I think we can start for tonight. So, well, welcome from Schibsted, and thank you so much for joining us tonight on such a short notice. Like you've seen, I mean, roughly an hour ago, we shared some exciting news from the Schibsted side. And although, you know, we can't provide, like, many more details, looking at the press release, you know, which has been released, Kristin, our CEO, P.C, our CFO, and myself wanted to give you the opportunity to ask some pressing questions tonight. So later, you know, after a short presentation from Kristin and P.C, you will have the option to ask questions by just, like, using the Raise Hand function or using the chat, and I will try to, yeah, coordinate this a little bit.

With this, I will just share the presentation, and Kristin, then afterwards, if you can see the screen, just go ahead.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. Thank you, Jann-Boje, and welcome to everybody from me as well. So, the transaction announced today, it unlocks over 20 years of sustained value creation in Adevinta, and it allows us to focus further on Schibsted's core business going forward. The offer price per share to Adevinta offered to Adevinta shareholders equals NOK 115, and that values our stake in Adevinta to approximately NOK 40 billion. We believe that this transaction is the most certain and value-accretive solution for both the Schibsted and Adevinta shareholders, as it delivers a premium of 54% for the three months volume weighted average.

The transaction represents a major milestone in realizing Schibsted's full potential, thanks to the reduction of our ownership in Adevinta by 60%, for which we will receive cash proceeds of NOK 25 billion at closing, and that's made up of NOK 24 billion from the transaction itself and NOK 1 billion from the TRS. At the same time, we will secure our participation in the incremental value upside through the reinvested amount. We are aware of the importance of capital allocation for our shareholders, and we intend to use the cash proceeds from the transaction to return capital to our shareholders. Adevinta represents for- I think somebody needs to mute maybe. Could you take the next slide, Jann-Boje? Adevinta, represents for us a journey of more than 20 years of sustained value creation.

It was initiated in the early 2000s by pioneering the online classifieds industry and subsequently exporting its success across borders, as demonstrated by the establishment of Leboncoin. Many value-accretive acquisitions, which all culminated in the creation of the world's largest online classifieds platform when we supported the Adevinta in the acquisition of eBay classifieds in 2020. The transaction represents the natural next step in our strategy for Adevinta, which we started in 2019 with a spin-off and the sub-IPO, and continued over the following two years with a progressive transition from strategic to financial ownership, ultimately intended to capture and deliver value creation through the monetization of our stake. This is consistent with what we communicated over time to the market, and we have thoroughly explored all potential alternatives.

We firmly believe that the transaction satisfies the strategic goal for the Adevinta stake by enabling one of the largest European take-private transactions, which will result in the most certain and value-accretive solution for Schibsted and our shareholders. We will dive into this a little bit more on the next page. So on the one hand, the transaction delivers significant, immediate, and future value creation. Immediate value creation for Schibsted and Adevinta shareholders, given the significant premium delivered by the transaction. By agreeing to sell 60% of our stake in Adevinta, we will receive approximately NOK 24 billion of cash proceeds at closing, plus substantial incremental value upside from the reinvestment alongside the consortium.

On the other hand, we believe the transaction will also position Schibsted for further future value creation from a potential stock re-rating, thanks to unlocking our balance sheet, which in turn will enable us and the financial markets to better focus on Schibsted's core businesses. Taking into consideration both these factors, we believe this transaction represents the most certain and value-accretive solution for Schibsted and its shareholders. This significant value creation and the premium offered to Adevinta shareholders exists only because of this transaction, one of the largest take-private transaction in Europe ever. Possible only thanks to the active support of Schibsted and eBay, including the partial equity rollover of our stakes. We believe the transaction does not only benefit Schibsted and its shareholders, but it is also a significant and attractive value creation opportunity for Adevinta and its shareholders.

In a private setting, Adevinta will be best positioned for future growth, this is thanks to the support from its new owners, and Adevinta shareholders are offered the opportunity to participate in further future value upside via the equity rollover alternative.... Schibsted will remain an influential minority investor with continued focus on value creation with respect to our retained stake, and as such, we will continue being a trusted partner for Adevinta and its new owners, providing continuity and industry expertise. With that, I'll leave it to you, P.C, to give a transaction overview, please.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thank you. Kristin, you have already mentioned many of the key points of the transaction, and this slide serves more as a handout, giving a more detailed overview. But I can highlight, you know, a couple. You know, the minimum acceptance threshold of more than 90% of Adevinta shares, this includes the share already owned by Schibsted, Permira, and eBay, in total, 72.6%, 3%. This and other closing conditions can be waived by the bidder, and that the closing is expected to be in Q2 2024. And that an offer document with more details is expected to be, you know, completed and announced during the month of December this year. If we move on to the next slide.

As Kristin mentioned, upon completion, Schibsted will receive NOK 25 billion in total cash proceeds. NOK 24 billion as cash consideration in the exchange of the 17% stake that we are selling, plus an extra NOK 1 billion as a part of a cash settlement related to the TRS that we already have entered into with DNB Bank. Both management and the board are well aware of the importance of capital allocation for our shareholders, and we will follow a very disciplined approach. We intend to use the cash proceeds from the transaction to return capital to our shareholders. Over the coming months, pending completion of the transaction, we will continue to go through our toolbox and evaluate the various options for such distributions.

At the same time, we will also perform an assessment of the appropriate allocation of proceeds to net debt repayment. More details, including the amounts, the forms, and the timing, will be communicated in due course, once a formal decision is taken. Back to you, Kristin.

You're muted, Kristin.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Sorry about that. We will end the presentation now. I'd just like to summarize and reiterate why we think this is a beneficial transaction for our stakeholders. It does unlock more than 20 years of value creation at Adevinta. It allows us in the financial markets to better focus on Schibsted's core business, and we believe we are well positioned for future growth. The offer of 150 NOK per share represents an attractive premium of 54.4%, and it also delivers the most certain and value-creative solution for Schibsted and Adevinta shareholders. And it is a major step in realizing Schibsted's full potential by reducing our ownership in Adevinta by 60%, while we retain a minority exposure in Adevinta that offers substantial incremental value upside.

We will receive significant cash proceeds of approximately NOK 25 billion, and we intend to return capital to our shareholders. Thank you. We will take your questions now.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yes, thank you, Kristin. So I think first up in the queue is Adam here. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

On mute. Sorry. Thanks, everyone, for having me on. A couple of questions if I can. The first one is, you said just then that the bidder can waive some of the closing condition rights. Does that include the 90% threshold? So if 90% don't tender, can you talk about what might happen in that scenario, as you understand it, and what that means? The second question I wanted to ask is, you're gonna retain 11% stake, potentially, in this private company. Have you secured any rights to sell that stake or any mechanism about how that stake will be valued in the future? Or are you just having to wait until the majority shareholders, you know, eventually exit this, and you'll get the cash out at that point in time, you know?

Is there anything around the exit mechanism that you can disclose? Thanks.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yes, maybe I can start on that. On the first question, yes, the waiver comment also includes the 90% threshold. I don't think we have more, kind of, details around than that. On your second questions around, you know, our retained stake, I don't think we can go into the details of the agreements in terms of if there are opportunities or not, related to, you know, potential transactions before, you know. I think we would need to leave that for now.

Speaker 4

Okay. Thanks anyway.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think next up in line is Peter. So Peter, please unmute yourself, and then go ahead.

Speaker 5

Yes. Hi, everyone. Just want to confirm, is this already... Has the Schibsted board already officially signed this transaction document?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Well, yeah, well, I mean, obviously, the board has approved the support of the transaction from our side. Unanimously, yes.

Speaker 5

Got it.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. Next up, in line is Sylvia. Sylvia, please, please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Thanks, and good evening, everyone. So my first question is, on any color you could share in terms of how you decided how much of the stake you wanted to keep? And what sort of time horizon do you have in mind, if you can comment about that, like, medium, long term, so to speak? And then I have a second question I'll ask afterwards.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. So I can just say that it was, as I said, to enable this transaction of, you know, such size and complexity in the current times we're in, it was necessary to support the transaction with a rollover. So, it was a condition for the deal to happen. Okay? So that's the answer to that. When it comes to, you know, well, I think we can say that there is, you know, we have, of course, negotiated around that stake, and there is flexibility to it, but we do not want to disclose those details now, but it will, I think, you know, I will refer them to the transaction documents.

Speaker 6

Okay, thank you. And then the second quick one was just around the potential and the need to contribute pro rata to any investments that Adevinta might pursue under the new ownership. I think you mentioned during the presentation how under, you know, the private equity, perhaps Adevinta could pursue new avenues of growth. So just wondering if there is any pre-agreed commitment on participating in any forms of investments for Adevinta?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

May I comment? I think there's no commitments in a way, but there are, of course, opportunities, but I don't think we should go into more detail than that.

Speaker 6

Okay. Thank you anyway.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. Thank you, Sylvia. I think next in line is Pete. So please unmute and go ahead.

Speaker 7

Hey, guys. Thanks. Maybe the first one on what kind of visibility could investors hope to retain to the Adevinta and its core, core assets? It's the first one. And then, what kind of strategic changes do you think the new ownership can bring or, or unlock? Because, at least the consortium, in their statement, says that significant investment, like, is necessary or, or they want to do significant investment. So what kind of changes could this bring to, to Adevinta? Those are my two questions. Thanks.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

I can start with the last one, and then you can do the other one, P.C. So, you know, I think, first of all, we really believe that Adevinta has a great plan in place, and we, you know, we strongly support the plan and, and the management. We do believe, however, that it could be favor- or it will be favorable for Adevinta to be in a private setting, because it needs to undertake some investments in terms of accelerating the transition into transactional models. It needs to further work on the verticalization of its different business to, to enable synergies across to a larger extent.

So, and there could also be other types of investment that would speed up the transformation, while at the same time be probably a more aggressive participant in terms of marketings and marketing and market positioning in the core markets. So it's sometimes, or it's often easier to do that in a private setting, when you don't have to balance all those investments sometimes happening at once out with a short-term margin pressure.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, and then on your second question, you know, as you know, as a private company, Adevinta will no longer publish quarterly and annual financial reports, in the same way. Schibsted will, of course, you know, continue to include information about Adevinta, both in our annual and interim financial reporting. We haven't, you know, not all the details are, you know, finally ironed out, yet, right? So there's still some work to be done before concluding on the financial treatment for so. But the way it looks, the likely one is that we will, you know, keep this as a investment held at fair value, and that the fair value changes will be kind of included in the net financial items in our P&L.

And then we will, of course, try to, you know, give as much colors as we can on how this, you know, reasons for the changes in our valuation.

Speaker 7

Right. So you would... Just so that I understood it, you would basically market in your P&L in line with how the private equity guys are marketing it?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Well, yeah, beyond that, I mean, we will do our updates on a quarterly basis in terms of the valuation of this retained stake. And if there are changes in positive or negative direction, that will then be reflected in the net financial items.

Speaker 7

All right. Thank you.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

There is a question in the chat, Jann-boye about tax, whether proceeds are tax free to Schibsted, and we can confirm that they are. And then in case of a subsequent special dividend, how is this going to be taxed to Schibsted shareholders? You want to do that one, P.C?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah. So I mean, different shareholders have some different sort of consideration related to taxes and different sort of forms of, you know, distributing proceeds. As I said, you know, the exact tools and, you know, formats and, the amounts are still to be decided and will be communicated, in due time. And as part of making that decision, we will also look at, you know, potential, you know, tax implications for our shareholders, through the various kind of ways of distributing proceeds.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think, next up is, is Andrew. Andrew, please, please go ahead.

Speaker 8

... Hi, everyone. Hope you can hear me okay, I'm on a train. Can we just talk a bit about what you learned from the spin alternative that you guys were looking at? It would be really helpful to understand exactly what the other options on the table were, and help to lead us to the conclusion as to why you felt this was the best route. I understand there's value uncertainty, but just talk us through what the other options were. Thank you.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Shall I take that, Kristin? Yeah. So, I mean, as we have talked about, from our Capital Markets Day and so on, we have, you know, a various set of options. Where, of course, one of them was a deal like this, and where we are very happy with, and we think is, you know, the best alternative in terms of value creation. One of the alternatives that has been, you know, mostly discussed with you guys is a kind of spin alternative. And, you know, how we have assessed it on our side, if you compare a spin alternative to this deal, is that, you know, if this deal fails or was not announced, the share price of Adevinta was likely to fall back to, towards the previous levels that we have seen, the last year.

And as Kristin has said, I mean, this is a structural deal that is not easy to pull off. There has not been any other alternatives so far, and if something comes up over the coming weeks, we have the, you know, the opportunity to move if there is a better alternative for Schibsted. And then there has been quite a lot of discussion around overhang, right? Because our view is that there is overhang issues, but most of them will probably continue. You know, you will get some immediate overhang issues from the spin itself, and then you have overhang from eBay and Permira. So it's not gonna go away if it does spin.

And then, I mean, we agree that there is an upside potential in Adevinta, but you will then be fully, you know, exposed to both execution risk, to macro risk, and also to competitive risk. So the... Our assessment is that, you know, to view a, a spin more attractive than the deal that we now have announced, you know, you need to believe in a share price of Adevinta onr to two years from now, which is far beyond the NOK 115 offer that we have at the table. So that is basically some color on, on our own assessment on, on why this deal is creating more value for our shareholders, than a potential spin that was one of the alternative that we have looked at.

Speaker 8

Thanks. Are you able to clarify whether you could have done a spin tax-free, or, or would it have been taxable? As a follow-up to that, please, can you talk through in more detail on the tax treatment of returning capital? So especially the buyback structure.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Eric, I think you need to mute. I don't think I will go into detail in terms of tax treatment on the various forms of share distribution. We will take that into consideration before we make any final decisions. And then what was the first question?

Speaker 8

If you got any clarification on the tax treatment of spin?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yes. So yeah, so tax treatment, that is, it's something that we have worked on. It has still not been fully completed, so we don't have a kind of a final conclusions of that. So I think that's what we can say at this point.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Andrew, are you okay then with the questions?

Speaker 8

Yeah, that's great. Thanks.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. Before we go over to the next person, I have some questions on email. You guys keep me busy, different channels. So first one is like: Do you keep a director seat in Adevinta? And then second one: Is there any cash outlay related to the rollover of your stake in the, in the Adevinta? Yeah, if you take these two questions first.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

No cash outlay. I didn't quite hear the first one, so maybe P.C, you do that one?

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

The first one was on the... If we keep a director seat on Adevinta,

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Oh, yes, we keep... Sorry, we keep one director seat.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Then there's, like, a follow-up here as well. Is my understanding correct, there's no tax leakage for Schibsted? I think we're the question, but maybe we can confirm it. If there is an option for Schibsted to sell their 13.6% stake in Adevinta down the road, what are the options here going forward?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, so we can confirm the tax question. I think in terms of future optionality, of course, we have that. But I think the way you should think about it is that, you know, this, it was necessary for the deal to happen, and there is. You should not expect any kind of immediate transactions or monetization of our retained stake. So I think, you know, we should think about this over a period of time, and then at some point, there will probably be an opportunity to monetize this stake, but nothing that we have, you know, planned around the corner.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thanks, P.C. I think next on the line is Marcus. Marcus, please go ahead.

Speaker 9

Thank you. So just bit more on capital allocation and, and some high-level thoughts on, on the mix here, because obviously we're talking about quite significant proceeds relative to your market cap. So how would you think about the mix between share buyback, dividends, M&A, and, and maybe a bit on, on what's an appropriate leverage ratio for the medium term here?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah. So may I, I think, yes, I can take that. So would love to give you more details and color on it, but I, I think we need to stay on our kind of general statements, that we will come back with more details in due course. You know, we have at the closing of Q3, around NOK 5 billion of net debt. I think it, you know, given this situation and how the world looks like, it makes sense for us to, you know, use some of these proceeds to strengthen our balance sheet and reduce debt. Exactly how much we haven't decided on yet, but so we'll come back on that. And then we have historically used share buyback as one vehicle.

We see that naturally also as part of the toolbox going forward. But, you know, it has some limits in terms of, you know, how much can you actually do that? But that is something we'll come back to. So I think you should expect that there will be a mix of different tools that will be used, given the size of, you know, this cash proceeds.

Speaker 9

That's helpful color. That's, that's all for me. Thank you.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay. Thanks, Marcus. I think next in line, we can take Spencer. Spencer, please unmute and go ahead.

Speaker 10

Okay. Thank you. I was wondering, given this is a 20-year journey of adding value for Adevinta, have you worked out your IRR over the entire length of this transaction? And secondly, I'd love just a few more details around the principles of the capital allocation framework. So I appreciate some debt will be repaid, there'll be some mix of, you know, you're thinking about buybacks versus special dividends, et cetera. But just what are the high-level principles you're using to decide between these options? Thank you.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, so Lars, let me start on the last question first, around the principles. I think I've shared, you know, the general kind of statements that, you know, we intend to share, distribute these proceeds to our shareholders. So that is one principle. I think strengthening our balance sheet, come back to how much, I think is another one. Third one, that we will probably use a mix of different tools in order to distribute these proceeds. I think that is how far we should go tonight, and then we will come back in due course with more details around, you know, our key principles. And on the first question, I don't have that number right.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

No, we don't have the exact number here, Spencer. I think it's a very good one, but no detailed IRR calculation on the stake. If you don't have more questions, Spencer, then I suggest we go back to Pete for the Q&A.

Speaker 11

Thanks. Just one more on Adevinta. Like, what kind of thesis are you driving in that future private Adevinta? Is it still like the conglomerate scale benefits across countries type of thesis, or would you be willing to consider other approaches to maximize value of the asset or the business as well?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

You know what? I think, you know, as I said, you know, we do, we do strongly believe in, in, in the plans they have. But obviously, you know, if this transaction goes through, it will enable also some other considerations, and I think the new board of Adevinta will need to sit down and agree to that, and we will be constructive in such dialogues.

Speaker 11

Thanks.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think just to add, there are some color in the, you know, the press release from the other side that gives some indications on the direction.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thanks for good questions, Pete. I think then we can go to Lisa. Please unmute and go ahead.

Speaker 12

Yes, good evening. Thanks for taking the question. Am I right in thinking that all the proceeds will be used to either delever or and obviously return capital to shareholders? You haven't really mentioned M&A, so I'm just wondering, like, you know, you know, you don't intend to use any of the proceeds for M&A. In general, could you maybe just give an update when you think about capital allocation as well, like what are, what could be in the M&A pipeline for the coming, you know, quarters or years now that you have a very different, you know, shape with in terms of the sum of the part and in terms of, yeah, your intentions going forward? Thank you.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, I can go on that one. I mean, in general, we don't comment specifically on M&A or our M&A pipeline. I think, you know, M&A is a part of, you know, the shift that what we have done today, and we'll probably still continue to look at the inorganic options to strengthen our core business. But not... There's no change, you know, related to, you know, this transaction. We were not looking at it differently. We will not do more or less because of it. And as we have stated a few times now, you know, the intention here is to distribute these proceeds to the shareholders, with an exception of also using some of it to strengthen our balance sheet.

There, there's no kind of isolated buckets, you know, set aside in terms of specific M&A.

Speaker 12

Understood. Thank you.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think I see a couple of questions on the, on the chat. So I think first one, if we stay with, with capital allocation, what is the optimal leverage level post the transaction? And how much debt will need to be paid down to get this ideal level?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Sorry, I was reading another question. But you know, I don't think we should. If it was a question related to debt levels, I think we need to come back on that. You know, it's somewhere between you know where we are today and zero. You know, how far we will come back in due course.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

... And then there are two questions on the regulatory approvals. First one, what kind of regulatory approvals are needed to close the deal? And then related to this a little bit, why closing in the second quarter? Do you expect extended regulatory reviews?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, I think I can just say that, you know, this transaction will be subject to sort of, let's say, almost like the standard regulatory approvals, but we don't expect any material issues around this. But as you know, it takes some time, so that's why we aim for that Q2 closing.

I think currently I don't see more questions, in the chat here. We will have a hard stop at quarter to eight, Oslo time, but 10 more minutes. Yeah, I think, Andrew, you're have, your hand up again, so, please go ahead. Andrew, you're on mute?

You're muted, Andrew.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think he's on the train, so maybe with the-

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Oh, he might have problems. Okay.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Is that all?

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

So far, it's all. I'm just checking my inbox while we wait.

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Oh, Andrew, go again.

Speaker 8

Sorry, I'm back. Apologies. Blame the 4G network on German trains. Could I just ask how you kind of thought about how your stock may reflect a discount on the Adevinta stake in a private company until the point that it becomes liquid in, let's say, a few years' time, and how you weighed that up as part of your framework?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah.

Speaker 8

I guess the feedback from your minorities around the kind of duration here.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, maybe I can go, and then you can fill in, Kristin. So-

Speaker 8

Then, that might be different. So curious on your take, as to how you're thinking about that.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay, sorry, we lost you a bit there, Andrew, in the middle of your second question. So I think the... Maybe you can repeat the last part of your question, please.

Speaker 8

Just essentially, you know, the duration expectations of your minority shareholders, and if you have a five-year view on the stock, you know, Adevinta , will become liquid again. But how you're thinking about people who maybe have a one- or two-year view, who now need to weigh up how to discount a stake in a private company. Thanks.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah. So I mean, of course, it's a complex, you know, with a lot of different shareholders with different perspectives and different kind of incentives and so on. I think our core belief and what we've been really focusing on here is to do what we believe creates the most value for our shareholders from a fundamental perspective. Then, of course, you know, we also need and want to work consistently only over time now, to do what we can to reduce any discounts that is on Schibsted overall, and that is sitting on potentially on Adevinta specifically.

So, but I mean, that is a bit up to the investors in terms of if you feel that we need to discount some of our assets. I don't think we have reflected specifically around the Adevinta retained share. Keep in mind that this was a necessary step in order to realize, you know, this value-creating deal that we now have announced. And then, of course, we will do our best in terms of keeping you updated, in terms of how the value of the share is developing and arguing, you know, for any ups and downs that you might see.

Speaker 8

Thanks.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thanks, Andrew. I think, Spencer, your hand is up, so, please go ahead if you want.

Speaker 11

Yes, thank you. Reading the eBay statement, they are going to retain a 20% ownership, but I think they have the right to reduce the holding in Adevinta down to 10%. Do you have a similar right to sell some of your 13.6% stake in Adevinta?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Not through the same timeframe as that specific provision that they have.

Speaker 11

Thank you.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Anything else?

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

I'm just checking my inbox quickly.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

I think we have a question here from Chris on the-

Yes, Chris, go ahead.

Speaker 8

I may have missed this earlier, but is there any consideration given to potentially distributing the remaining shareholding in Adevinta to your shareholders? I think the market cap would be actually not that different, really, than at 115 relative to what's traded publicly today, that event at NOK 1.5 billion of traded value for a public stake. Is that a scenario that's possible in the future? Was there any consideration given to that as a potential option?

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah, I can. I don't think we can give any specific comments on that, but I think you just see the retained stake at, you know, an asset that we have, and we will have for some time. You know, having as a financial view on that and, you know, be part of that value creation, and at some point in the future, you know, take part in a monetization event related to that stake.

Okay, I think, Andrew, your hand is up again, so please go ahead.

Speaker 8

Sorry, guys. Just, I promise, last one. Can I just talk a bit about how you thought about the value of Adevinta in this transaction? Because that's on the one hand, there's a desire to get a deal done, and maybe people who are part of the consortium didn't want to go higher. On the other hand, some of your shareholders own Schibsted for the medium-term upside in Adevinta, and some of that has been taken off the table. I think if you read the language of the Adevinta board in their statement, it's not a ringing endorsement at NOK 115. So just curious as to how you thought about the price. Thanks for that. Thank you.

Per Christian Mørland
CFO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thanks for that. It's a good question, right? So I think the way we're looking at it is that this deal strikes a very good balance between, you know, immediate value creation and also, you know, taking part in what we believe will be a substantial future value creation, right? But if you comment on then, the question is, on the first part, you know, how do we view the value of NOK 115? You know, we have, of course, our own fundamental valuation, and this number is well in line with that. We, you know, we also see that it is a substantial premium, about 50%, what has been traded over the last three, six and 12 months.

We see that, you know, the offered terms is with attractive multiples, both when compared to peers and also similar transactions. And then, you know, as commented also, I mean, the Adevinta special committee has, you know, confirmed that the pricing is fair. So I think we believe it's a very attractive price, and there are scenarios where, you know, we believe that, you know, Adevinta can develop positively going forward, but that's not guaranteed, right? There is uncertainty, there are risks around, so you can also only see the upside. So that's why we believe that this is a good opportunity both to, you know, create value here now at attractive terms, and at the same time, be part of a future value creation.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Okay, then I also see a question here on the chat. So I think Peter was just asking, again here, he wants to clarify a comment from P.C, and says, "If there's a better alternative within the next few weeks, can you still pursue it? Meaning, you know, is it still possible for the board to change its minds, or is the deal really signed?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

The deal is signed, so we cannot change our mind, but there is a provision there. If there is a more attractive offer that comes in place within that time frame, we are free to accept that offer.

Jann-Boje Meinecke
VP, Head of Investor Relations and Group FP&A, Schibsted Marketplaces

Thank you, Kristin.

Okay, I think then we almost. Yeah, it's about 8:15 P.M. I don't see more questions here on the chat or in the queue. So then I say, we thank you again for taking your time tonight and being available on such short notice. And, yeah, Kristin, maybe you want to say a few words, too, before we end up here?

Kristin Skogen Lund
CEO, Schibsted Marketplaces

Yeah. Well, just to thank everyone. I mean, there's this has been a very, very long process. Just trust, I know that there are some divergent opinions about this, but trust us that we have really exhausted every option there is, and it's really our true conviction that this is the best way forward, and we hope that time will show that that's correct. So, thank you, and and we trust that we will that we're doing the right thing here, and that this will be a good solution for all parties. Thank you.

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