IMAX Corporation Responds to Letko's Statement on the Proposed Privatization of IMAX China

Rhea-AI Summary

IMAX Corporation reiterates belief that the privatization transaction is in the best interests of IMAX China shareholders and represents a compelling offer.

Positive

• The offer price of HK$10.00 per share represents a 49% premium over the 30-day average and a 35% premium over the 90-day average.
• The offer price implies a LTM P/E multiple of 18.4x and LTM EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.8x, in line with comparable companies.
• The premium offered is consistent with precedent privatization transactions in Hong Kong and offers immediate value realization at a compelling price.

Negative

• Structurally low liquidity and limited institutional investor participation have depressed IMAX China's stock price.
• No guarantee of future dividends if the transaction fails.
• Geo-political and macro-economic uncertainties may dampen investor demand for securities with exposure to IMAX China.

• The Proposed Transaction Offers IMAX China Shareholders a 49% Premium over the Average Closing Price for Last 30 Full Trading Days Prior to Announcement
• Structurally Low Liquidity and Limited Institutional Investor Participation in IMAX China Shares Depress Stock Price and Impair Long-term IMAX China Trading Prospects
• The Independent Financial Advisor Considers Transaction Terms to be Fair and Reasonable and Advises the Independent Board Committee to Recommend Shareholders to Vote in Favour of the Transaction
• IMAX Corporation is Prohibited From Changing the Offer Price According to the No Price Increase Statement Published in the Scheme Document
• No Guarantee of IMAX China Future Dividends if Transaction Fails

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With reference to the announcement made by Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc. (Letko) on September 22, 2023 stating its intention to vote against the take private transaction, IMAX Corporation reiterates its belief that the transaction is in the best interests of IMAX China shareholders and represents a compelling offer. While IMAX China's first half results are encouraging reflecting both theatre re-openings and increased box office market share, IMAX China's share price continued to exhibit weakness and its trading volume hit all-time lows throughout 2023 prior to the proposed privatization transaction despite market awareness of IMAX China's results through weekly box office reporting and the first quarter results released by IMAX Corporation on April 27, 2023.

IMAX China's volume weighted average price for the 30 and 90 full trading days prior to the transaction announcement was $6.46 and $7.50. We believe that major contributory factors to the historical share price weakness are a lack of trading liquidity, low institutional ownership and declining research coverage – all of which will remain unchanged should the transaction fail to receive shareholder approval.  The proposal provides IMAX China shareholders with HK$10.00 per share in cash, which could be reinvested in IMAX Corporation's shares for those shareholders interested in participating in the company's continued growth in China.   

The transaction was reviewed and approved by the Independent Board Committee ("IBC") at the recommendation of the Independent Financial Advisor ("IFA"), who concluded the transaction terms are fair and reasonable.  The full IFA letter is contained in the scheme document jointly issued by IMAX China and IMAX Corporation on September 15, 2023, with a few key highlights as follows:

• The HK$10.00 offer price represents a 49% premium over the 30 prior full trading day period average, a 35% premium over the 90 prior full trading day period average, and an 86.1% premium over the June 30, 2023 unaudited NAV per share
• The offer price implies a LTM P/E multiple of 18.4x and LTM EV/EBITDA multiple of 7.8x, both of which are higher or in line with the median multiples of 10.9x and 7.8x respectively of the comparable companies identified by the IFA
• The premium offered is consistent with precedent privatization transactions in Hong Kong and offers immediate value realization at a compelling price, especially for shareholders with sizeable holdings, without disturbing the market price or being subject to any liquidity discount
• Trading liquidity in the shares has declined significantly from an average daily trading volume of 982,361 shares per day in 2018 to 301,831 shares per day in 2023 up until the last full trading day.  The low liquidity is impacted by (i) a cumulative reduction in public float of 21 million shares (~18%) from 2018 to 2022 resulting from share repurchases, (ii) the loss of trading through the Shanghai Stock Connect (since September 10, 2018) and Shenzhen Stock Connect (since March 15, 2021) and (iii) the loss of analyst coverage from over 10 analysts pre-pandemic to only 3 analysts currently
• Geo-political and macro-economic uncertainties and slower-than-expected PRC economic growth and consumption spending in general are factors that may influence the outlook of IMAX China and potentially dampen investor demand for securities with said exposure. While it is uncertain if the IMAX China share price will return to pre-pandemic levels, the IFA is of the view that the current geo-political and macro-economic overhang means that pre-pandemic conditions do not reflect the present circumstances

The scheme document contains a no offer price increase statement and therefore IMAX Corporation is prohibited from changing the offer price directly or through the declaration of a dividend.  Shareholders should be aware that the HK takeovers code prohibits another privatization attempt for at least another 12 months if the current proposal is not approved by the minority shareholders (and IMAX Corporation does not intend to make another privatization attempt even when it is allowed to do so again). 

Finally, IMAX China has confirmed that it will not declare or pay any dividends before 31 December 2023, and there is no guarantee that IMAX China will declare or pay any dividends after such date.

About IMAX Corporation 

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX's network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.  Streaming technology company SSIMWAVE, an IMAX subsidiary, is a leader in AI-driven video quality solutions for media and entertainment companies.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2023, there were 1,718 IMAX systems (1,638 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."  

IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos®, SSIMWAVE® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax), YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/imax).

For additional information please contact: 

Investors:
Jennifer Horsley
jhorsley@imax.com
212.821.0154

Media:
Mark Jafar
mjafar@imax.com
212.821.0102

 

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SOURCE IMAX Corporation