SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO) (the “Company”) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its business in Switzerland to Goldbach Group AG, an affiliate of TX Group AG, for CHF 86.0 million, or US$ 92.7 million1.
The Company’s Swiss business is expected to contribute approximately US$ 9.7 million, which excludes US$ 1.4 million in one-time items including rent abatements, to Europe Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 for the full year ended December 31, 2022. The all-cash consideration represents a transaction multiple of approximately 9.5x Segment Adjusted EBITDA contribution. The Company expects to hedge the anticipated proceeds to mitigate the risks related to foreign currency fluctuations, and the estimated taxes in connection with the transaction are expected to be less than US$5 million. The Company intends to use the anticipated net proceeds from the sale to improve its liquidity position and increase financial flexibility, subject to any limitations set forth in its debt agreements.
“The sale of our business in Switzerland is the result of our ongoing review of strategic alternatives for our European businesses and moves toward our goal of optimizing our portfolio in the best interests of our shareholders,” said Scott Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. “This transaction allows us to exit a standalone and lower-priority market at a valuation that we believe reflects the quality of our Swiss assets, which are performing well.
“Our review of strategic alternatives for our European businesses remains ongoing, and we will continue seeking the disposition of certain of our lower-margin or lower-priority European assets,” Wells continued. “We remain focused on our Americas business and executing our strategic priorities, which we believe will drive revenue growth and operating cash flow as well as improve our balance sheet over time.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, receipt of a customary tax ruling with respect to a transaction-related reorganization and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2023, depending on when the conditions to closing are satisfied.
There can be no assurance that the strategic review of our European businesses will result in any additional transactions or particular outcomes. We have not set a timetable for completion of these processes and may suspend these processes at any time.
Advisers
Moelis & Company LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are serving as financial advisers to Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Homburger AG are serving as legal counsel.
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