Premier, Inc. Completes Strategic Review Process
- None.
- None.
Insights
The authorization of a $1.0 billion share repurchase program, including a $400 million Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) transaction, is a significant financial event for Premier, Inc. This decision indicates the management's confidence in the company's intrinsic value and financial stability. Share repurchase programs are often initiated to return excess capital to shareholders and can be a signal of undervaluation. The ASR transaction will likely lead to an immediate EPS accretion due to the reduction in the number of shares outstanding. However, investors should also consider the opportunity cost of this capital allocation decision. The use of cash for buybacks as opposed to reinvestment in the business or potential acquisitions could affect the company's long-term growth prospects.
Furthermore, the funding of repurchases through cash on hand and available borrowings suggests that Premier has a solid liquidity position. Nevertheless, it is crucial to monitor the company's debt levels post-transaction to assess any impact on financial leverage and interest coverage ratios. The transaction's completion in the first quarter of the Company’s 2025 fiscal year will provide a clearer picture of the long-term effects on the company's balance sheet.
The strategic decision to divest non-core assets, such as Premier's holdings in Contigo Health and S2S Global, reflects a sharpened focus on the company's core healthcare businesses. This realignment could streamline operations and improve operational efficiencies, potentially leading to higher margins. The healthcare industry is currently facing significant challenges, such as labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, which have been exacerbated by an aging population. Premier's emphasis on AI-enabled technology platforms and supply chain expertise is well-positioned to address these industry pain points.
For stakeholders, the search for partners to take ownership of Premier’s holdings in Contigo Health and S2S Global could result in strategic collaborations that enhance the value of these subsidiaries. The success of these partnerships will depend on the synergies achieved and the ability of the new owners to scale these businesses. The market will be observing the impact of these strategic moves on Premier's market share and competitive positioning.
The Board's approval of a sizeable share repurchase program in the context of a dynamic healthcare market reflects broader economic considerations. The healthcare sector is known for its resilience during economic downturns, but it is not immune to macroeconomic pressures such as inflation and interest rate fluctuations. Premier's decision to return capital to shareholders through buybacks suggests that the company's leadership believes the stock is a better investment than alternative uses of capital, which may include expansion or debt reduction.
It is also indicative of a broader trend where companies in cash-rich positions are opting to enhance shareholder value through buybacks. This capital allocation strategy must be balanced against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, where retaining cash reserves might offer more flexibility. Investors should consider the long-term economic outlook and how Premier's strategic focus on its core healthcare business will fare in different economic scenarios.
-
Board Authorizes
$1.0 Billion $400 Million - Company Will Seek Partners to Take Ownership of Some or All of Premier’s Holdings in Contigo Health and S2S Global
As previously announced in May 2023, the Board established an Independent Special Committee (the “Special Committee”) to identify, review and explore strategic alternatives to enhance value for stockholders. In consultation with its financial and legal advisors, the Special Committee conducted a comprehensive review of a broad range of potential options, providing its recommendations to the full Board for approval.
In July 2023, the Board approved Premier’s divestiture of its non-healthcare group purchasing organization (GPO) operations to unlock substantial value for Premier’s stockholders and enhance the Company’s focus on its healthcare businesses.
Share Repurchase Authorization and ASR Transaction
The Board and management team considered opportunities for deploying the Company’s capital resources, including accelerating returns to stockholders. Based on this review, the Board has approved a new
Repurchases of Premier’s Class A common stock (“common stock”) under the share repurchase authorization may occur from time to time through June 30, 2025, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated or other structured repurchase programs or other means, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and other legal requirements.
Under the share repurchase authorization, the Company has entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Bank of America to repurchase an aggregate of
The timing, volume and manner of other repurchases, if any, will be determined based on market conditions, the market price of the common stock, applicable legal requirements, potential alternative opportunities for investment of capital and other factors. The authorization as approved by the Board does not require Premier to repurchase any specific number of shares of common stock and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. Premier expects to fund repurchases under the program using cash on hand and available borrowings under the Company’s existing credit facility.
“Premier is a true industry leader, built on a strong core business rooted in supply chain expertise and a world-class, AI-enabled technology platform that provides members with actionable intelligence for continuous improvement in cost, quality and operational efficiencies,” said Richard J. Statuto, Chair of the Board. “We remain confident in our business, operating strategy and the value-creation opportunities ahead. The Board and management team are committed to maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, and Premier’s balance sheet provides ample flexibility to return capital to stockholders while also investing in the Company’s growth. The ASR transaction and ability to pursue additional opportunistic share repurchases demonstrate the Board’s conviction in Premier’s prospects and underscore our commitment to delivering superior returns for stockholders.”
Potential Partners to Take Ownership of Some or All of Premier’s Holdings in Contigo Health and S2S Global
As part of its review process, the Board, in consultation with management, also authorized the Company to seek partners for some or all of Premier’s holdings in Contigo Health, a subsidiary focused on providing comprehensive services that optimize employee health benefits; and S2S Global, a direct sourcing subsidiary.
“After a thorough review of alternatives, we are excited to move forward with a more focused strategy predicated on automating and streamlining all aspects of the supply chain and leveraging our unique data, technologies and AI capabilities to support provider performance improvement and growth in certain adjacent markets,” said Michael J. Alkire, Premier’s President and CEO. “Against the backdrop of shifting industry dynamics – including a growing healthcare labor shortage, aging population and ongoing supply chain challenges – Premier’s solutions are more relevant and in demand than ever before. While we are sharpening our focus on our capabilities to best serve our members and other customers, we intend to find the right partners for our Contigo and S2S businesses to help take them to new heights. We are confident this is the right path forward to drive profitable growth and sustainable value creation for Premier, our stockholders, members and other stakeholders.”
About Premier, Inc.
Premier, Inc. (NASDAQ: PINC) is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of more than 4,350
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to those related to: Premier’s ability to advance its long-term strategies and develop innovations for and transform healthcare; Premier’s ability to identify partners for its S2S Global and Contigo Health businesses, and the potential benefits thereof to Premier, its business, financial condition, or financial results; the potential for share repurchases pursuant to the share repurchase authorization, the ability to fund those share repurchases, and the potential benefits thereof; and the ability to complete the ASR transaction, the number of shares of common stock purchased pursuant to that transaction, the expected completion date, and the potential benefits thereof, all of which could be affected by volatility or disruptions in the capital markets or other factors. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Premier to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements in the conditional or future tenses or that include terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” to be uncertain and forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include comments as to Premier’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside Premier’s control. More information on risks and uncertainties that could affect Premier’s business, achievements, performance, financial condition, and financial results is included from time to time in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Premier’s periodic and current filings with the SEC, including those discussed under the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section of Premier’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, expected to be filed with the SEC shortly after the date of this release, all of which are made available on Premier’s website at investors.premierinc.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Premier undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events that occur after that date, or otherwise.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240205199165/en/
Investor Contact:
Ben Krasinski
Senior Director, Investor Relations
704.816.5644
ben_krasinski@premierinc.com
Media Contact:
Amanda Forster
Vice President, Public Relations
202.879.8004
amanda_forster@premierinc.com
Source: Premier, Inc.
FAQ
What is the value of Premier, Inc.'s share repurchase program?
What is the amount of the accelerated share repurchase (ASR) transaction?
What are the subsidiaries that Premier, Inc. is seeking partners for?
When will Premier, Inc. complete the final settlement of the ASR transaction?
