STOCK TITAN

Smart Share Global Limited Announces Receipt of a Preliminary Non-Binding Proposal to Acquire the Company

Rhea-AI Impact
(High)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Neutral)

Smart Share Global (Nasdaq: EM), known as Energy Monster, has received a preliminary non-binding proposal from Trustar Capital and company executives to acquire all outstanding shares not already owned by the buyer group. The proposed purchase price is US$0.625 per Ordinary Share or US$1.25 per ADS, representing a 74.8% premium to the last trading day's closing price.

The buyer group includes Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings , CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, President Peifeng Xu, CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang, and CFO Maria Yi Xin. The Board has formed a special committee of three independent directors, chaired by Conor Chia-hung Yang, to evaluate the proposal. The committee will retain independent financial advisors and legal counsel.

The company emphasizes that no decisions have been made regarding the proposal, and there is no guarantee of a definitive agreement or transaction completion.

Smart Share Global (Nasdaq: EM), conosciuta come Energy Monster, ha ricevuto una proposta preliminare non vincolante da Trustar Capital e dai dirigenti della società per acquisire tutte le azioni in circolazione non già detenute dal gruppo acquirente. Il prezzo di acquisto proposto è US$0.625 per azione ordinaria o US$1.25 per ADS, che rappresenta un 74.8% di premio rispetto al prezzo di chiusura dell'ultima giornata di trading.

Il gruppo acquirente include Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings, il CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, il Presidente Peifeng Xu, il CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang e il CFO Maria Yi Xin. Il Consiglio ha costituito un comitato speciale di tre direttori indipendenti, presieduto da Conor Chia-hung Yang, per valutare la proposta. Il comitato intende avvalersi di consulenti finanziari legali indipendenti.

La società sottolinea che non sono state prese decisioni riguardo alla proposta e non c'è alcuna garanzia di un accordo definitivo o di completamento della transazione.

Smart Share Global (Nasdaq: EM), conocida como Energy Monster, ha recibido una propuesta preliminar no vinculante de Trustar Capital y ejecutivos de la empresa para adquirir todas las acciones en circulación que no estén ya en posesión del grupo comprador. El precio de compra propuesto es US$0.625 por acción ordinaria o US$1.25 por ADS, lo que representa una prima del 74.8% sobre el precio de cierre del último día de negociación.

El grupo comprador incluye a Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings, el CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, el Presidente Peifeng Xu, el CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang y la CFO Maria Yi Xin. La Junta ha formado un comité especial de tres directores independientes, presidido por Conor Chia-hung Yang, para evaluar la propuesta. El comité contratará asesores financieros independientes y abogados.

La empresa enfatiza que no se han tomado decisiones respecto a la propuesta y que no hay garantía de un acuerdo definitivo o de la finalización de la transacción.

스마트 쉐어 글로벌 (Nasdaq: EM), 에너지 몬스터로 알려진 이 회사는 Trustar Capital과 회사 경영진으로부터 이미 구매 그룹이 소유하지 않은 모든 미해결 주식을 인수하기 위한 비구속적인 초기 제안을 받았습니다. 제안된 구매 가격은 주당 US$0.625 또는 ADS당 US$1.25로, 마지막 거래일 종가 대비 74.8% 프리미엄에 해당합니다.

구매 그룹에는 Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings, CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, 사장 Peifeng Xu, CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang 및 CFO Maria Yi Xin이 포함됩니다. 이사회는 제안을 평가하기 위해 Conor Chia-hung Yang이 의장으로 있는 3명의 독립 이사로 구성된 특별 위원회를 구성했습니다. 위원회는 독립적인 재무 자문가 및 법률 자문을 고용할 것입니다.

회사는 제안에 대한 결정이 내려지지 않았으며, 최종 계약이나 거래 완료에 대한 보장이 없음을 강조합니다.

Smart Share Global (Nasdaq: EM), connue sous le nom d'Energy Monster, a reçu une proposition préliminaire non contraignante de Trustar Capital et des dirigeants de la société pour acquérir toutes les actions en circulation qui ne sont pas déjà détenues par le groupe d'acheteurs. Le prix d'achat proposé est de 0,625 $US par action ordinaire ou de 1,25 $US par ADS, représentant une prime de 74,8% par rapport au prix de clôture du dernier jour de négociation.

Le groupe acheteur comprend Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings, le PDG Mars Guangyuan Cai, le Président Peifeng Xu, le CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang et la CFO Maria Yi Xin. Le Conseil a formé un comité spécial de trois administrateurs indépendants, présidé par Conor Chia-hung Yang, pour évaluer la proposition. Le comité fera appel à des conseillers financiers et juridiques indépendants.

La société souligne qu'aucune décision n'a été prise concernant la proposition et qu'il n'y a aucune garantie d'accord définitif ou d'aboutissement de la transaction.

Smart Share Global (Nasdaq: EM), bekannt als Energy Monster, hat ein vorläufiges, unverbindliches Angebot von Trustar Capital und den Unternehmensführern erhalten, um alle ausstehenden Aktien zu erwerben, die noch nicht im Besitz der Käufergruppe sind. Der vorgeschlagene Kaufpreis beträgt US$0.625 pro Stammaktie oder US$1.25 pro ADS und stellt eine 74.8% Prämie im Vergleich zum Schlusskurs des letzten Handelstags dar.

Die Käufergruppe umfasst Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings, CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, Präsident Peifeng Xu, CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang und CFO Maria Yi Xin. Der Vorstand hat einen speziellen Ausschuss aus drei unabhängigen Direktoren gebildet, der von Conor Chia-hung Yang geleitet wird, um das Angebot zu bewerten. Der Ausschuss wird unabhängige Finanzberater und rechtliche Berater hinzuziehen.

Das Unternehmen betont, dass keine Entscheidungen bezüglich des Angebots getroffen wurden und es keine Garantie für eine endgültige Vereinbarung oder den Abschluss der Transaktion gibt.

Positive
  • 74.8% premium offered over last trading day's closing price
  • 68.1% premium to 30-day volume-weighted average price
  • 70.1% premium to 60-day volume-weighted average price
  • Formation of independent special committee to evaluate proposal
Negative
  • Uncertainty about deal completion
  • Potential delisting from public markets if deal succeeds
  • Management-led buyout could raise conflicts of interest

Insights

The proposed buyout offer for Energy Monster by the management-led consortium represents a classic take-private transaction with significant implications. The $1.25 per ADS offer price, representing a substantial 74.8% premium to the last trading price, suggests the management team sees considerable undervaluation in the current market price.

Several key aspects make this deal noteworthy: First, the involvement of Trustar Capital (formerly CITIC Capital) adds credibility and financial backing to the proposal. Second, the participation of key executives including the CEO, President, CMO and CFO indicates strong internal alignment and belief in the company's future prospects. Third, the formation of a Special Committee with independent directors follows proper governance protocols for evaluating such proposals.

The mobile device charging service market in China continues to show growth potential and this privatization attempt could enable more aggressive expansion strategies without public market scrutiny. The timing of this offer, amid broader market volatility, could be opportunistic from the buyers' perspective.

The transaction structure demonstrates robust corporate governance practices with several notable protective measures for minority shareholders. The immediate formation of a Special Committee comprising three independent directors is crucial, as it will serve as the primary safeguard for minority shareholder interests. The appointment of Conor Chia-hung Yang as chair, along with plans to retain independent financial and legal advisors, indicates a commitment to thorough due diligence and fair evaluation.

The proposed premium is substantial compared to historical trading averages, with the 70.1% premium over 60-day VWAP suggesting a fair valuation consideration. However, shareholders should note that this is merely a preliminary non-binding proposal and the Special Committee's evaluation will be critical in determining whether this offer maximizes shareholder value.

SHANGHAI, Jan. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smart Share Global Limited (Nasdaq: EM) (“Energy Monster” or the “Company”), a consumer tech company providing mobile device charging service, today announced that its board of directors (the “Board”) has received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter (the “Proposal Letter”), dated January 5, 2025, from Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings Limited (together with its affiliates, “Trustar Capital”), Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Peifeng Xu, Director and President of the Company, Mr. Victor Yaoyu Zhang, Chief Marketing Officer of the Company, and Ms. Maria Yi Xin, Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Buyer Group”), to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), including the Class A ordinary shares represented by the American Depositary Shares of the Company (the “ADSs”, each representing two Class A ordinary shares), that are not already beneficially owned by the Buyer Group for a proposed purchase price of US$0.625 per Ordinary Share or US$1.25 per ADS in cash (the “Proposal”). The proposed price represents a 74.8% premium to the closing price on the last trading day prior to the date of this proposal and a premium of 68.1% and 70.1% to the volume-weighted average price during the last 30 and 60 trading days, respectively. A copy of the Proposal Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Today, the Board has formed a special committee (the “Special Committee”) consisting of three independent and disinterested directors, Messrs. Conor Chia-hung Yang, Jiawei Gan and Benny Yucong Xu, to evaluate and consider the Proposal. Mr. Conor Chia-hung Yang will chair the Special Committee. The Special Committee intends to retain advisors, including an independent financial advisor and independent legal counsel, to assist it in its evaluation.

The Board cautions the Company’s shareholders and others considering trading the Company’s securities that no decisions have been made with respect to the Proposal. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be received, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the transaction contemplated by the Proposal, or that the transaction contemplated by the Proposal or any other similar transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to any transaction, except as required under applicable law.

ABOUT SMART SHARE GLOBAL LIMITED
Smart Share Global Limited (Nasdaq: EM), or Energy Monster, is a consumer tech company with the mission to energize everyday life. The Company is the largest provider of mobile device charging service in China with the number one market share. The Company provides mobile device charging service through its power banks, which are placed in POIs such as entertainment venues, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, transportation hubs and public spaces. Users may access the service by scanning the QR codes on Energy Monster’s cabinets to release the power banks. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had 9.5 million power banks in 1,267,000 POIs across more than 2,100 counties and county-level districts in China.

CONTACT US
Investor Relations
Hansen Shi
ir@enmonster.com

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Energy Monster’s strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the impact of technological advancements on the pricing of and demand for its services; competition in the mobile device charging service industry; Chinese governmental policies and regulations affecting the mobile device charging service industry; changes in its revenues, costs or expenditures; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Exhibit A

January 5, 2025
Board of Directors
Smart Share Global Limited
6th Floor, 799 Tianshan W Road
Changning District, Shanghai 200335
People’s Republic of China

Dear Directors:

Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings Limited (together with its affiliates, “Trustar Capital”), Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Share Global Limited (the “Company”), Mr. Peifeng Xu, Director and President of the Company, Mr. Victor Yaoyu Zhang, Chief Marketing Officer of the Company, and Ms. Maria Yi Xin, Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (such individuals, together with Trustar Capital, the “Consortium Members” and the consortium so formed, the “Consortium”) are pleased to submit this preliminary non-binding proposal to acquire the Company in a going private transaction (the “Acquisition”).

We believe that our proposal provides an attractive opportunity to the Company’s shareholders. The purchase price set forth in this proposal represents a 74.8% premium to the closing price on the last trading day prior to the date of this proposal and a premium of 68.1% and 70.1% to the volume-weighted average price during the last 30 and 60 trading days, respectively.

  1. Consortium. The Consortium Members have entered into a consortium agreement (the “Consortium Agreement”) dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which the Consortium Members will form an acquisition vehicle for the purpose of implementing the Acquisition, and have agreed to work with each other in pursuing the Acquisition. The Consortium Members in the aggregate beneficially own approximately 16.9% of the total issued and outstanding share capital of the Company, representing 64.0% of the total voting power of the Company.
  2. Purchase Price. The consideration payable for each ordinary share of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, will be US$0.625 in cash, or US$1.25 in cash for each American depositary share of the Company (“ADS”), each representing two Class A ordinary shares of the Company (in each case, other than those ordinary shares or ADSs held by the Consortium Members that may be rolled over in connection with the Acquisition).
  3. Closing Certainty; Funding. We believe that we offer a high degree of closing certainty and are well positioned to negotiate and complete the proposed Acquisition on an expedited basis. We intend to finance the Acquisition with a combination of equity and debt capital and we expect the commitments for the required equity and debt funding, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to be in place when the definitive agreements providing for the proposed Acquisition and related transactions (the “Definitive Agreements”) are signed. Equity financing will be provided by the Consortium Members and any additional members we may accept into the Consortium (in each case, including by way of rollover shares and/or cash contribution). We have received highly confident letters from China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd., each indicating that the bank is highly interested in arranging and is highly confident of its ability to arrange debt financing for the Acquisition subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein.
  4. Due Diligence. We and our advisors have significant experience in structuring and consummating transactions of this nature and would expect to complete due diligence on an expedited basis. We and our advisors are prepared and ready to engage in the next stage of discussions.
  5. Definitive Agreements. We are prepared to negotiate and finalize Definitive Agreements expeditiously. The Definitive Agreements will provide for representations, warranties, covenants and conditions that are typical, customary and appropriate for transactions of this type. We anticipate that the negotiation of the Definitive Agreements will be completed in parallel with due diligence.
  6. Process. We believe that the Acquisition will provide superior value to the Company’s shareholders. We expect that the Board will establish a special committee comprised of independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”). We expect that the Special Committee and its advisors will be exclusively authorized to consider and negotiate with the Consortium the proposed Acquisition, including the Definitive Agreements. In considering our proposal, you should be aware that the Consortium Members are interested only in pursuing the Acquisition and are not interested in selling their shares in any other transaction involving the Company.
  7. About Trustar Capital. Trustar Capital is a leading private equity firm in Asia with the most established buyout platform in China. With offices in China, Japan, and the United States, Trustar Capital has built a global track record of investing in companies which demonstrate the potential to capitalize on the growth and productivity of the Chinese economy.
  8. No Binding Commitment. This letter constitutes only a preliminary indication of our interest and does not constitute any binding commitment with respect to the Acquisition. A binding commitment will result only from the execution of Definitive Agreements and then will be on terms and conditions provided in such documentation.

The Consortium Members are collaborating on this non-binding proposal on the basis of their shared recognition of the development of China’s local services market, the management’s extensive experience contributing to the Company’s established industry presence and brand awareness, as well as Trustar Capital’s leading position in the private equity sector and its expansive ecosystem. In closing, we would like to express our commitment to working together to bring the Acquisition to a successful and timely conclusion. Should you have any questions regarding this proposal, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

[remainder of page intentionally blank]

 Sincerely,

Trustar Mobile Charging Holdings Limited
  
 By:        /s/ Rikizo Matsukawa        
 Name:        Rikizo Matsukawa        
 Title:        Director        
  


 Mars Guangyuan Cai
  
 /s/ Mars Guangyuan Cai                
  


 Peifeng Xu
  
 /s/ Peifeng Xu                
  


 Victor Yaoyu Zhang
  
 /s/ Victor Yaoyu Zhang                
  


 Maria Yi Xin
  
 /s/ Maria Yi Xin                
  

FAQ

What is the proposed buyout price for Energy Monster (EM) stock?

The proposed buyout price is US$0.625 per Ordinary Share or US$1.25 per ADS in cash.

What premium does Energy Monster's buyout offer represent?

The offer represents a 74.8% premium to the last trading day's closing price, and premiums of 68.1% and 70.1% to the 30-day and 60-day volume-weighted average prices, respectively.

Who are the buyers in Energy Monster's proposed acquisition?

The buyer group includes Trustar Capital, CEO Mars Guangyuan Cai, President Peifeng Xu, CMO Victor Yaoyu Zhang, and CFO Maria Yi Xin.

What steps has Energy Monster's board taken to evaluate the buyout proposal?

The board has formed a special committee of three independent directors, chaired by Conor Chia-hung Yang, to evaluate the proposal and retain independent financial advisors and legal counsel.

When was the buyout proposal for Energy Monster (EM) announced?

The buyout proposal was announced on January 6, 2025, following receipt of the proposal letter dated January 5, 2025.

Smart Share Global Limited American Depositary Shares

NASDAQ:EM

EM Rankings

EM Latest News

EM Stock Data

260.87M
188.52M
12.6%
4.33%
0.01%
Personal Services
Consumer Cyclical
Link
United States of America
Shanghai