Opera completes repurchase of shares from 360

Rhea-AI Summary

Opera Limited (NASDAQ: OPRA) has completed the repurchase of 46.75 million shares from Qifei International Development, a subsidiary of 360 Security Technology, for $128.6 million at $5.50 per ADS. This buyback clears 360's 20.6% stake, simplifying ownership and increasing each outstanding share's ownership by 26%. The transaction values the shares at 43% below analyst targets. Opera has now repurchased 33.7 million ADS equivalents since its IPO, bolstering shareholder value while leaving $36 million under its existing repurchase program.

Positive

• Share repurchase reduces total outstanding shares, increasing ownership per share by 26%.
• Repurchase executed at a valuation 43% below average analyst price target, creating potential future upside.
• Opera has repurchased 33.7 million ADS equivalents since IPO, embracing a strategy to enhance shareholder value.

Negative

• None.

OSLO, Norway, Oct. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Opera Limited (NASDAQ: OPRA) ("Opera"), one of the world's major browser developers and a leading internet consumer brand, today announced that the share repurchase from its pre-IPO shareholder Qifei International Development Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of 360 Security Technology Inc. (601360:CH) (hereinafter, "360"), has closed.

360 has sold all its 46.75 million shares, the equivalent of 23.4 million ADSs or a 20.6% ownership stake in Opera, and is no longer a shareholder in Opera. 360's representative on Opera's Board of Directors, Mr. Hongyi Zhou, has also resigned with immediate effect. Opera will pay $128.6 million for the shares, or $5.50 on a per-ADS basis.

Opera's total outstanding shares is thereby reduced to an ADS equivalent of 89,761,299 as of today, with each outstanding share now representing 26% more ownership of Opera than it did before the transaction closed.

"Today we are taking another step aimed at re-establishing a connection between what we believe is the intrinsic value of Opera and our market price", said Mr. Frode Jacobsen, Opera CFO. "We have taken advantage of our strong balance sheet and the current volatility in our stock to exit a significant non-public shareholder at a valuation that is 43% below the average analyst price target and near the bottom of our historic valuation range. This repurchase is accretive and simplifies our ownership structure."

Since its IPO in 2018 Opera has repurchased 33.7 million ADS equivalents, including both open market purchases and today's announced transaction. This represents 28% of total ADS equivalents outstanding after the IPO and 2019 follow-on offering.

With the exit of 360's representative on Opera's Board of Directors, two new Directors have been appointed. Mr. Lin Song, co-CEO of Opera, as well as Mr. Tian Jin, Chairman of Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd. "I am excited that we were able to repurchase a significant number of shares at an attractive valuation and without impacting the public float", said Mr. Song. He added: "In addition, both Tian Jin and I are very eager to join Opera's board of directors and look forward to working even more closely with Opera's other directors to guide Opera's strategy, as well as our continued journey towards an appropriate market valuation."

The transaction does not affect Opera's ongoing share repurchase program. Approximately $36 million remains under the existing $50 million authorization announced in January of 2022.

About Opera

Opera is a global web innovator. Opera's browsers, gaming, Web3 and news products are the trusted choice of hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Opera is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (OPRA). Download the Opera browser from www.opera.com.

Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com or on Twitter @InvestorOpera.

 

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SOURCE Opera Limited

FAQ

What is the purpose of Opera's share repurchase?

The share repurchase aims to simplify ownership structure and potentially increase shareholder value by reducing the number of outstanding shares.

How much did Opera spend on the recent share repurchase from 360?

Opera spent $128.6 million to repurchase 46.75 million shares from 360.

What percentage stake did 360 hold in Opera before the repurchase?

360 held a 20.6% ownership stake in Opera prior to the share repurchase.

What remains of Opera's share repurchase authorization?

Approximately $36 million remains under Opera's existing $50 million share repurchase authorization.

How has the share repurchase affected Opera's outstanding shares?

The share repurchase has reduced Opera's total outstanding shares to approximately 89.76 million ADS equivalents.