Datatec — Management buyout of Analysys Mason

Datatec (JSE: DTCJ)

Last close As at 23/11/2024

ZAR40.03

−0.16 (−0.40%)

Market capitalisation

ZAR9,336m

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Research: TMT

Datatec — Management buyout of Analysys Mason

As a first step in its ongoing strategic review, Datatec has announced the management buyout of Analysys Mason, its TMT research and management consultancy arm, backed by Bridgepoint Development Capital for an EV of up to £210m (US$260m), 2.9x FY22 EV/sales and 14.4x FY22 EV/adjusted EBITDA (excluding share-based payment charges). Management’s strategic review, which has not necessarily concluded, has started to unpick the group’s embedded value, with the sale of Analysys Mason leaving Datatec as a simpler group with two principal businesses, Logicalis (IT services) and Westcon International (IT distribution). The maximum proceeds receivable by Datatec are US$176m (c 38% of its current market capitalisation), with the net proceeds to be returned to shareholders. As a Johannesburg-listed, global ICT play, Datatec trades at a substantial discount to both its global peer group and our sum-of-the-parts valuation. Assuming continued strong operating performance, we expect this discount to continue to narrow over time.

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TMT

Datatec

Management buyout of Analysys Mason

Management buyout

IT services

30 June 2022

Price

ZAR33.63

Market cap

ZAR7.3bn

ZAR16.21/US$

Net debt (US$m) at 28 February 2022

130.1

Shares in issue

217.0m

Free float

86%

Code

DTCJ

Primary exchange

Johannesburg

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

Datatec is a South Africa-listed multinational information communication technology (ICT) business, serving clients globally, predominantly in the networking and telecoms sectors. The group operates through three main divisions: Westcon International (distribution); Logicalis (IT services); and Analysys Mason (consulting).

Analysts

Richard Williamson

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dan Ridsdale

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Datatec is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

As a first step in its ongoing strategic review, Datatec has announced the management buyout of Analysys Mason, its TMT research and management consultancy arm, backed by Bridgepoint Development Capital for an EV of up to £210m (US$260m), 2.9x FY22 EV/sales and 14.4x FY22 EV/adjusted EBITDA (excluding share-based payment charges). Management’s strategic review, which has not necessarily concluded, has started to unpick the group’s embedded value, with the sale of Analysys Mason leaving Datatec as a simpler group with two principal businesses, Logicalis (IT services) and Westcon International (IT distribution). The maximum proceeds receivable by Datatec are US$176m (c 38% of its current market capitalisation), with the net proceeds to be returned to shareholders. As a Johannesburg-listed, global ICT play, Datatec trades at a substantial discount to both its global peer group and our sum-of-the-parts valuation. Assuming continued strong operating performance, we expect this discount to continue to narrow over time.

Year end

Revenue
(US$m)

PBT*
(US$m)

EPS*
(c)

DPS
(c)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

02/21

4,109

73.1

13.6

6.6

15.3

3.2

02/22

4,637

85.0

18.7

39.3

11.1

18.9

02/23e

4,919

95.9

19.6

6.5

10.6

3.1

02/24e

5,117

107.3

25.2

8.4

8.3

4.0

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

For its 71.2% fully diluted shareholding, Datatec will receive c £128m in cash and £7.1m in loan notes payable after three years, as well as a potential earnout based on FY23e EBITDA of up to £7.1m. Completion is conditional on 1) Datatec shareholders approving the sale by way of an ordinary resolution, 2) UK and French government approvals and 3) excluding Datatec’s shareholding, 75% of shareholders (by value) agreeing to the sale. A break fee has been agreed if either of conditions 1) or 3) are not met. Datatec has received irrevocable undertakings or letters of support from shareholders holding or managing 44.16% of the total issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) which, together with CEO Jens Montanana’s holding of 14.16%, takes irrevocable undertakings and letters of support to 58.3%, sufficient to pass the ordinary resolution.

With offices across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, Analysys Mason is a TMT-focused management consultancy and research business, with services including strategy, transaction support, transformation, regulation and policy. It delivered FY22 revenues of US$90m (23% growth year-on-year), gross profit of US$41m (a 45% margin), adjusted EBITDA (excluding share-based payments) of US$18m (a 20% margin) and EBITDA of US$11m (a 12% margin).

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