Exela Technologies Announces an Amendment in the Pending Exchange Offer Replacing New Notes with Preferred Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Exela Technologies has amended its exchange offer, allowing shareholders to convert 20 shares of common stock into tradable convertible preferred stock valued at $25, offering a 6% annual dividend. This exchange is at a premium of 127% to the $0.55 closing price on January 25, 2022, and will reduce the share count by approximately 30%. Shareholders must tender their shares before 11:59 p.m. EST on March 10, 2022. Exela plans to list the preferred stock on Nasdaq under the symbol 'XELAP', with trading expected within 30 days post-approval.

Positive

• Shareholders can exchange common stock for preferred stock, potentially improving liquidity.
• Preferred stock offers a 6% annual dividend, enhancing income for shareholders.
• Exchange will reduce the common share count by approximately 30%, potentially supporting stock price.
• Exela's leadership plans to participate in the exchange offer, signaling confidence in the company's value.

Negative

• The exchange offer may dilute the value of common stock if not well-received by shareholders.
• Conversion price of $1.25 may be perceived as high compared to current market price of common stock.

• Shareholders can now exchange blocks of 20 shares of common stock into a tradable $25 perpetual, convertible preferred stock with a 6% annual dividend
• Offering price represents a 127% premium to the closing share price of $0.55 on January 25, 2022, the day prior to the commencement of the original Offer
• Shares tendered will be retired, reducing share count by approximately 30%
• Participating shareholders should instruct their broker to tender their shares well before the expiration time of 11:59 p.m. EST on March 10, 2022, to give their broker enough time to tender their shares

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exela Technologies, Inc. (“Exela” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: XELA) announced today that it has amended the previously announced offer (the “Offer”) to exchange up to 100,000,000 shares of its Common Stock for unsecured 6.00% senior notes due 2029 (the “New Notes”). The Offer has been amended to replace the New Notes with perpetual, convertible preferred stock with a 6% annual dividend (the “Preferred Stock”), paid quarterly.

Shareholders can now exchange Common Stock in 20 share increments for $25 of Preferred Stock. Thus, shareholders whose Common Stock is accepted for exchange will hold Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference equivalent to $1.25 per share of Common Stock, cumulative dividends of 6% per annum and retain the right to participate in future dividends on our Common Stock, as well as have the right to convert their Preferred Stock into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.25. As a result of this amendment, shares of Common Stock may now be tendered until 11:59pm ET on March 10, 2022, and an aggregate of up to $125,000,000 of Preferred Stock may be issued in the Exchange Offer.

Exela intends to apply to list the Preferred Stock on the Nasdaq under the symbol “XELAP.” If this application is approved, trading in the Preferred Stock is expected to commence within a 30-day period after the approval of listing. Until the time the application is approved, or if not approved, the Series B Preferred Stock is expected to trade on the OTC. In addition, by offering the Preferred Stock instead of notes, the exchange of Common Stock for the consideration in the exchange offer will not be presently taxable to the holders of the Common Stock.

Par Chadha, Exela’s Executive Chairman, noted, “It’s no secret that I believe this Company is undervalued. While I cannot ask our shareholders to participate, I plan to participate in this Offer.” Mr. Chadha, along with other officers and directors, have notified the Company that they are considering tendering up to 28.5% of their Common Stock in the Offer.

An Amended and Restated Offer to Exchange has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and can be retrieved at http://www.sec.gov. Holders of shares of Common Stock may contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Offer, by calling Banks and Brokers, Call Collect: (212) 269-5550; all others, call toll-free: (888) 644-6071 or visit https://to.exelatech.com/ for this purpose.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange nor the solicitation of an offer to buy the Preferred Stock or any other securities. The Offer is not being made to any person in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. Any offers of the Preferred Stock will be made only by means of the Offer to Exchange.

The complete terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Amended and Restated Offer to Exchange dated February 24, 2022, and the related second amended and restated letter of transmittal that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Schedule TO. Shareholders of Exela are strongly encouraged to read the Schedule TO and related exhibits because they contain important information about the Offer. The Schedule TO and related exhibits will be available without charge at the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

About Exela Technologies

Exela Technologies is a business process automation (BPA) leader, leveraging a global footprint and proprietary technology to provide digital transformation solutions enhancing quality, productivity, and end-user experience. With decades of experience operating mission-critical processes, Exela serves a growing roster of more than 4,000 customers throughout 50 countries, including over 60% of the Fortune® 100. Utilizing foundational technologies spanning information management, workflow automation, and integrated communications, Exela’s software and services include multi-industry, departmental solution suites addressing finance and accounting, human capital management, and legal management, as well as industry-specific solutions for banking, healthcare, insurance, and the public sector. Through cloud-enabled platforms, built on a configurable stack of automation modules, and over 17,500 employees operating in 23 countries, Exela rapidly deploys integrated technology and operations as an end-to-end digital journey partner.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "may", "should", "would", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "seem", "seek", "continue", "future", "will", "expect", "outlook" or other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our industry, future events, estimated or anticipated future results and benefits, future opportunities for Exela, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of Exela management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Offer to Exchange and Exela's Annual Report and other securities filings. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Exela's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Exela anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Exela's assessments to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Exela's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Investor and/or Media Contacts:

Vincent Kondaveeti

E: vincent.kondaveeti@exelatech.com

Mary Beth Benjamin

E: IR@exelatech.com 

FAQ

What is the conversion offer for Exela Technologies shareholders?

Shareholders can exchange 20 shares of common stock for $25 of perpetual convertible preferred stock with a 6% annual dividend.

What is the deadline for Exela's stock exchange offer?

The deadline for shareholders to tender their shares is 11:59 p.m. EST on March 10, 2022.

How much preferred stock can Exela issue in the exchange offer?

Exela can issue up to $125,000,000 of preferred stock in the exchange offer.

What is the premium on the preferred stock compared to common stock?

The preferred stock offering price represents a 127% premium to the common stock closing price of $0.55 on January 25, 2022.

Will the new preferred stock be listed on a stock exchange?

Exela intends to list the preferred stock on Nasdaq under the symbol 'XELAP'.