Churchill Downs Incorporated Announces Privately Negotiated Repurchase of One Million Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CHDN) has announced a share repurchase of 1 million shares at $193.94 each, totaling approximately $193.9 million. This transaction was authorized by the Board and is distinct from the remaining $147.1 million in its existing share repurchase plan. Additionally, CDI amended its Credit Agreement to increase the restricted payment capacity from $26 million to $226 million to facilitate this repurchase. The shares will be acquired using available cash and borrowings under its senior secured credit facility.

Positive

• Share repurchase expected to enhance shareholder value.
• Increased restricted payment capacity to $226 million supports financial flexibility.

Negative

• None.

CDI Repurchasing One Million Shares for $193.94 per Share from an Affiliate of The Duchossois Group, Inc.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced today that the Company has agreed to repurchase 1,000,000 shares of its common stock for $193.94 per share from an affiliate of The Duchossois Group, Inc. in a privately negotiated transaction. The aggregate purchase price is $193.9 million.

On February 1, 2021, CDI also entered into an amendment to its Credit Agreement, dated December 27, 2017, to increase the applicable restricted payment capacity during the Financial Covenant Relief Period, as defined in the second amendment dated April 28, 2020, from $26 million to $226 million to accommodate this transaction. CDI will repurchase the shares using available cash and borrowings under its senior secured credit facility.

The repurchase transaction was authorized by the CDI Board of Directors and is separate from the $147.1 million remaining under its existing share repurchase plan.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S. and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals and 200 table games. Additional information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

Certain statements made in this news release contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” and similar words or similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include the following: the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and related economic matters on our results of operations, financial conditions and prospects; the effect of economic conditions on our consumers' confidence and discretionary spending or our access to credit; additional or increased taxes and fees; public perceptions or lack of confidence in the integrity of our business or any deterioration in our reputation; loss of key or highly skilled personnel; restrictions in our debt facilities limiting our flexibility to operate our business; general risks related to real estate ownership, including fluctuations in market values and environmental regulations; catastrophic events and system failures disrupting our operations; online security risk, including cyber-security breaches; inability to recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our properties in the event of inclement weather and casualty events; increases in insurance costs and inability to obtain similar insurance coverage in the future; inability to identify and complete acquisition, expansion or divestiture projects, on time, on budget or as planned; difficulty in integrating recent or future acquisitions into our operations; costs and uncertainties relating to the development of new venues and expansion of existing facilities; risks associated with equity investments, strategic alliances and other third-party agreements; inability to respond to rapid technological changes in a timely manner; inadvertent infringement of the intellectual property of others; inability to protect our own intellectual property rights; payment-related risks, such as risk associated with fraudulent credit card and debit card use; compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or applicable money-laundering regulations; risks related to pending or future legal proceedings and other actions; inability to negotiate agreements with industry constituents, including horsemen and other racetracks; work stoppages and labor issues; changes in consumer preferences, attendance, wagering and sponsorship with respect to Churchill Downs Racetrack and the Kentucky Derby; personal injury litigation related to injuries occurring at our racetracks; weather and other conditions affecting our ability to conduct live racing; the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks and public health threats; changes in the regulatory environment of our racing operations; increased competition in the horse racing business; difficulty in attracting a sufficient number of horses and trainers for full field horse races; our inability to utilize and provide totalizator services; changes in regulatory environment of our online horse wagering business; A reduction in the number of people wagering on live horse races; increase in competition in our online horse racing wagering business; uncertainty and changes in the legal landscape relating to our online horse racing wagering business; continued legalization of online sports betting and iGaming in the United States and our ability to predict and capitalize on any such legalization; inability to expand our sports betting operations and effectively compete; failure to manage risks associated with sports betting; failure to comply with laws requiring us to block access to certain individuals could result in penalties or impairment with respect to our mobile and online wagering products; increased competition in our casino business; changes in regulatory environment of our casino business; concentration and evolution of slot machine manufacturing and other technology conditions that could impose additional costs; and inability to collect gaming receivables from the customers to whom we extend credit.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contact:  Nick Zangari
(502) 394-1157
Nick.Zangari@kyderby.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of the share repurchase by CHDN?

The repurchase aims to enhance shareholder value and reflect confidence in the company's performance.

How much did CHDN spend on the share repurchase?

Churchill Downs Incorporated will spend approximately $193.9 million to repurchase 1 million shares.

What impact does the increased restricted payment capacity have for CHDN?

The increase to $226 million allows CHDN greater financial flexibility for transactions like share repurchases.

What is the current share repurchase plan status for CHDN?

There is $147.1 million remaining under the existing share repurchase plan, separate from the recent transaction.