Linx Extraordinary General Meeting Approves Business Combination With Stone
On November 17, 2020, StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) announced the approval of its business combination with Linx S.A. during the Linx Extraordinary General Meeting. This merger, which integrates Linx's retail management software with Stone's financial technology solutions, now awaits antitrust approval from Brazilian authorities (CADE) and other necessary conditions. Key approvals include the waiver for STNE to list on Novo Mercado and the tender offer waiver for Linx's shares. The deal is seen as beneficial for all stakeholders involved.
- Approval of merger with Linx S.A. creates a stronger market position.
- Transaction is expected to enhance service offerings for clients.
- Anticipated synergies from combining technological resources.
- Merger pending approval from Brazilian antitrust authority (CADE).
- Integration risks may affect operational efficiency post-merger.
- Potential adverse effects on share prices during transaction process.
SÃO PAULO, Brazil, Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneCo Ltd. (Nasdaq: STNE) (“Stone”), a leading provider of financial technology solutions that empower merchants to conduct commerce seamlessly across multiple channels, today announces that the Linx Extraordinary General Meeting held on this date approved the business combination between STNE Participações S.A. (“STNE”), a controlled company of Stone that holds the software investments business of the Stone group in Brazil and Linx S.A. (B3: LINX3; NYSE: LINX) (“Linx”), a leading provider of retail management software in Brazil (“Transaction”).
The Linx Extraordinary General meeting (“ESM”) held today deliberated on Stone’s Transaction and voted in favor of the following:
| (a) | Approval of the Protocol and Justification of Merger of the Shares issued by Linx S.A. by STNE Participações S.A.” (“Protocol and Justification”) and the merger of the totality of Linx issued shares by STNE Participações S.A; | |
| (b) | Approval of the waiver for STNE to list in Novo Mercado, within the scope of the Merger of Shares, as set forth in article 46, sole paragraph, of the Rules of Novo Mercado of B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão; | |
| (c) | Approval of the waiver for STNE to carry out the tender offer of Linx issued shares, as set forth in article 43 of Linx’s Bylaws, within the scope of the proposed corporate reorganization set forth within the Protocol and Justification. |
With the approval by the Linx Shareholders in the ESM, the Transaction is now pending antitrust (CADE) approval and certain other conditions as set forth below.
We are very excited with this combination and believe this Transaction is the best outcome for all stakeholders, including Linx´s clients, shareholders and employees.
Approvals
The implementation of the Transaction is conditioned upon, among other things: (i) prior approval by the Brazilian antitrust authority (CADE); (ii) approval by the Linx shareholders at the Linx ESM, authorization for STNE to not list in the Novo Mercado, and exemption for STNE to carry out the tender offer provided for in Section 43 set forth in Linx’s bylaws; (iii) approval by the STNE shareholders of the redemption of the mandatorily redeemable preferred shares granted to Linx’s shareholders in exchange for cash and/or Stone Class A common shares at a shareholders meeting of STNE; (iv) the Stone BDRs shall be registered with the CVM and admitted to trading at B3 and (v) the effectiveness by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of Stone's registration statement on Form F-4 in respect of the Stone Class A common shares to be issued to Linx shareholders. Regarding condition (v), on October 5, 2020, the SEC declared Stone’s Form F-4 effective. On condition (ii), the Linx shareholders voted in favor of the Transaction and each necessary approval in support thereof on November 17th, 2020 at the Linx ESM.
We do not expect the Transaction to generate antitrust concerns.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Transaction, Stone and Linx have filed relevant materials with the SEC including a registration statement of Stone on Form F-4. The Form F-4 contains a prospectus and other documents. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF STONE AND LINX ARE URGED TO READ THE FORM F-4 AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STONE, LINX AND THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The Form F-4 and all other documents filed with the U.S. SEC in connection with the Transaction will be available when filed, free of charge, on the U.S. SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Form F-4 and all other documents filed with the U.S. SEC in connection with the Transaction will be made available, free of charge, to U.S. shareholders of Stone on Stone’s website at http://www.stone.co.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication contains certain statements that are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “hope”, “intend”, “may”, “might”, “should”, “would”, “will”, “understand” and similar words are intended to identify forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Transaction. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. For example, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the Transaction, the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the agreements relating to the Transaction, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the Transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the shares of Stone or Linx, the risk that the Transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Stone and Linx to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally, the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies, and other factors. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond Stone’s control, including those detailed in Stone’s annual reports on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K that are available on its website at http://www.stone.co and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Stone’s forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Stone believes to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. Stone undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.
Contact:
Investor Relations
investors@stone.co
FAQ
What was approved at the Linx Extraordinary General Meeting on November 17, 2020?
What does the StoneCo and Linx merger entail?
What regulatory approvals are still needed for the STNE and Linx merger?
How will the merger affect StoneCo's shareholders?
What waivers were approved regarding the merger of STNE and Linx?
