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Afterpay Touch Group Limited is pleased to announce a business update for the period ended 31 October 2019
Afterpay Touch Group Limited (ASX: APT) (“Afterpay” or the “Group“) is pleased to announce a business update for the period ended 31 October 2019.
Highlights and Group Performance
GROUP (Unaudited) |
4 month period ended |
Compared to: |
Compared to: |
Underlying Sales |
$2.7 billion |
110% |
23% |
Active Customers1 (as at 31 October 2019) |
6.1 million |
137% |
32% |
Active Merchants1 (as at 31 October 2019) |
39,450 |
96% |
22% |
- Growth and performance continue across all geographies and channels with global underlying sales of $2.7 billion in the 4-months to 31 October 2019, a 110% increase compared to the previous corresponding period (pcp). Current annualised underlying sales is in excess of $8.5b.2
- There were 6.1 million active customers globally at the end of October, a 137% increase on pcp
- On average, Afterpay onboarded over 15,000 new customers per day in October, representing its largest customer acquisition month on record and accelerating from approximately 12,500 customers per day in July.
- Purchasing frequency, loss rates and customer lifetime value are improving the longer that customers are on our platform:
- In Australia and New Zealand, customers who joined Afterpay during FY15-17 are now purchasing, on average, approximately 22x per year. Newer cohorts are following a similar upward trend, with the FY18 and FY19 cohorts purchasing, on average, 14x and 7x per year respectively.
- Nearly 40,000 merchants are active on the Afterpay platform, almost double the pcp, reflecting the onboarding of both higher margin SMB merchants and key new enterprise merchants.
- A number of major brands have either recently integrated or are in the process of onboarding including eBay (AU), Ulta (US), Finish Line (US), Marks & Spencer (UK), David Jones (in-store AU), and Myer (in-store AU). Collectively, it is estimated that these merchants represent addressable underlying sales well in excess of $10 billion3.
- Year to date, Group merchant revenue margin (unaudited) is in line with FY19 levels, supported by improving revenue margins in the US and UK.
- Year to date, Group Gross Loss, Net Transaction Loss (NTL) and Net Transaction Margin (NTM) (all unaudited) remain in line with FY19 levels, notwithstanding higher underlying sales contribution from the newer, higher early stage loss markets of the US and UK.
- The Afterpay platform continues to add value to our merchants with Afterpay’s shop directory contributing over 10 million lead referrals globally in October alone, representing the highest month of referrals ever.
- Strategic agreement with Mastercard in Australia and New Zealand will support our mid-term growth.
- A $200 million private placement and proposed strategic partnership with leading US based technology investor, Coatue Management. Proceeds will be raised at $28.50, representing a 2.4% discount to the last closing share price and a 3.8% premium to the 5 day VWAP, and be targeted to global platform expansion opportunities beyond mid-term plan deliverables.
- Progress made in further strengthening a majority independent board with the appointment of a new US based director, Mr Gary Briggs, from 1 January 2020.
ANZ Market Update
- Growth continues in ANZ with underlying sales of $1.9bn in the 4-months to 31 October 2019.
- In-store continues to be the key growth driver, representing 23% of total underlying sales in FY20 year to date, up from 18% in FY19. Afterpay in-store is now available at almost 29,000 shopfronts, up from 23,600 at the end of June 2019.
- Over 3 million active customers in ANZ and over 33,000 merchants as at 31 October 2019.
- Merchants that have recently gone live or signed with Afterpay include:
Dymocks (in-store) |
TerryWhite Chemmart (in-store) |
Agoda (online) |
Swarovski (online) |
Shein (online) |
Myer (in-store) |
Marks & Spencer (online) |
My Deal (online) |
David Jones (in-store) |
Appliances Online |
- In a little over 12 months since launching health services, Afterpay is now being offered in over 2,500 practices in the dental and optical space nationally.
- Afterpay has recently entered into a partnership with Bupa Dental, Australia’s largest corporate dental group, which will see Afterpay made available to the more than 500,000 patients they treat each year across more than 200 dental practices around Australia.
- Loss performance has continued to trend positively on a year to date basis relative to FY19 levels.
- Over 95% of GMV in ANZ is generated from returning customers.
- Afterpay estimates that it is one of the largest lead referrers in ANZ, with well over 4 million referrals provided to merchants in the month of October.
- Entered into a strategic partnership with Mastercard in the Australian market to help scale Afterpay’s business and deliver services to merchants with greater efficiency and flexibility. In addition, Afterpay will utilise Mastercard data and services and technology capabilities. Further information on this collaboration will be provided as products and services are introduced to the Australian market.
Partnership with eBay Australia
- Afterpay is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement for our service to be offered on eBay Australia’s marketplace; expected to go live in the 2020 calendar year.
- eBay Australia is the largest shopping site in the country with 11-million unique monthly visitors.
- eBay Australia will be giving its 40,000 Australian SMBs the ability to access the Afterpay service for their eBay customers.
- The partnership represents Afterpay Australia’s largest online arrangement to date which allows both companies to align on a mutual approach of adding value to merchants by helping them access new and repeat customers.
US Market Update
- Strong growth continued in the US with underlying merchant sales reaching $0.7bn in the first 4-months to 31 October 2019. Current annualised underlying sales is in excess of $2.5 billion based on the month of October.
- Customer uptake is increasing at a faster rate, with 2.6 million active customers at 31 October 2019, up 51% since 30 June 2019.
- Recorded highest monthly customer acquisition in the US in October, with over 9,000 new customers acquired per day on average.
- Year to date, Gross Loss experience has improved in the US relative to FY19 levels as our returning customer base increased. Merchant revenue margins are also ahead of FY19 levels on a year to date basis.
- More than 9,000 active or currently integrating merchants as at 31 October 2019, including recently onboarded brands such as:
Ulta |
Ruggable |
FragranceNet.com |
Madewell |
Finish Line |
Bombas |
HAUS LABORATORIES |
Outdoor Voices |
PacSun |
Shiseido Brands |
- The Afterpay platform continues to add value to US merchants with the Company’s shop directory generating over 5 million retailer referrals in the month of October.
UK Market Update
- Over $100m of underlying sales in the 4-months to 31 October 2019. Current annualised underlying sales is in excess of $0.4 billion based on October.
- Over 400,000 active customers since launch in May 2019.
- UK customer numbers remain higher than the US at the equivalent stage of lifecycle despite being a smaller market.
- While still in its infancy, merchant revenue margins and loss performance has trended positively on a year to date basis.
- Successful launch of the Clearpay app in October supporting meaningful lead generation with over 0.5 million referrals across the Clearpay website and app in October.
- Partnership with UK-based multinational retailer Mark & Spencer (M&S) recently commenced. It is one of Afterpay’s largest merchant partnerships to date and is expected to contribute significantly to our UK performance over time.
- Approximately 330 active or currently integrating merchants as at 31 October 2019 including recently onboarded brands such as:
Marks & Spencer |
The Hut |
Footlocker |
Pro Bike Kit |
Look Fantastic |
MyProtein |
Zavvi |
IWOOT |
Investment and proposed strategic partnership with Coatue Management (“Coatue”) to support continued international expansion
- Afterpay today has entered into a subscription agreement for a A $200 million private placement with leading US based technology investor, Coatue.
- Coatue will acquire new Afterpay shares at $28.50, representing a 2.4% discount to the last closing share price on Tuesday, 12 November of $29.19 per share, and representing a 3.8% premium to the 5 day VWAP4 up to and including Tuesday, 12 November. Completion of the placement is planned for later this month.
- The shares issued to Coatue will be subject to a 12 month escrow arrangement reflecting the strategic nature of the investment.
- Investment proceeds will be targeted to global platform expansion opportunities beyond mid- term plan deliverables.
- In connection with the investment, a non-binding term sheet has been agreed for a strategic partnership where Coatue will leverage its data science expertise to support Afterpay in its development of retail data analytics and future data driven products. Subject to formal agreement, Coatue and Afterpay will collaborate on tools and capabilities, empowering Afterpay to pursue its goal of being the world’s most loved way to pay.
- Coatue, founded by Philippe Laffont and Thomas Laffont in 1999, is one of the largest dedicated technology funds in the world, having invested in a number of global technology platforms. Coatue currently manages approximately US$17 billion in assets on behalf of individuals, endowments, foundations, and other institutional investors.
Governance
- We have made progress in our commitment to enhance the Company’s Board with the appointment of a new independent Director.
- Mr Gary Briggs will be joining the Company as a Non-Executive Director from 1 January 2020.
- Mr Briggs is one of the most experienced marketing leaders in the digital sector having worked in a number of senior executive positions including, most recently, Chief Marketing Officer at Facebook from 2013-2018. Prior to Facebook, Mr. Briggs led marketing at industry leading technology companies including Motorola Mobility, Google, eBay and PayPal. He is also currently a board member of Etsy and Petco.
- Our global board search for additional Directors remains ongoing, and we look forward to providing further updates at the relevant time.
Regulatory Update (Australia)
- We welcome the opportunity to engage with the RBA in relation to surcharging, as part of its broad based, periodic review of the payments industry next year. It is important to note that Afterpay provides a far more comprehensive service to retailers than simply being a payment system.
- We welcome comments from the Government that they are supportive of new technologies bringing competition to the marketplace and the establishment of a Senate Select Committee charged with better understanding the tech sector and how it can be better supported by regulators and policy makers.
- Afterpay continues its support for a Code of Practice for the ‘buy now, pay later’ industry.
- External auditor Mr Neil Jeans of Initialism is due to deliver a final independent audit report later this month. The Company remains committed to ensuring its AML/CTF compliance is robust.
Awards
- Afterpay was honoured to be included in the global 2019 Fintech 100, recently compiled by KPMG and H2 Ventures.
SOURCE Afterpay
Fintech PR
Smartkem Closes $7.65 Million Offering
MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Smartkem (Nasdaq: SMTK), which is seeking to change the world of electronics using its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), announced it has completed its previously announced concurrent public and private offerings of its securities, including shares of its common stock and common stock equivalents, for an aggregate total gross proceeds of $7.65 million.
Smartkem issued 1,449,997 registered shares of common stock and unregistered Class D warrants to purchase up to 1,449,997 shares of common stock to investors in concurrent public and private offerings at a price of $3.00 per share and related Class D warrant. Each investor received one Class D warrant for each share purchased in the public offering.
Pursuant to the separate concurrent private placement, the Company sold to certain institutional investors, including existing investors in the Company, 169,784 unregistered shares of common stock, unregistered pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 930,215 shares of common stock and unregistered Class D warrants to purchase up to 1,099,999 shares of common stock at a price of $3.00 per share and related Class D warrant and a price of $2.9999 per pre-funded warrant and related Class D warrant. Each investor received one Class D warrant for each share of common stock or pre- funded warrant purchased in the offering.
The Class D warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $3.00 per share and expire on December 31, 2025. The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full.
The gross proceeds of the offerings described above were $7.65 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offerings for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC acted as the Company’s exclusive placement agent for the offerings.
In connection with the offerings described above, the Company has entered into a registration rights offering pursuant to which it has agreed to register the shares of common stock issued in the private placement, the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Class D warrants and the pre-funded warrants sold in the offerings and certain other securities for resale by the holders thereof no later than the earlier of (i) the 10th day after the filing of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 or (ii) April 25, 2025.
The sale of the registered shares of common stock was made pursuant to Smartkem’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333- 281608), including a base prospectus, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective by the SEC on August 22, 2024 and a prospectus supplement dated December 18, 2024 filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may be obtained from Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 222 South Ninth Street, Suite 350, Minneapolis, MN 55402, by telephone at (612) 334-6300 or by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may be obtained for free at the SEC’s EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any Smartkem securities.
About Smartkem
Smartkem is seeking to reshape the world of electronics with its disruptive organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) that have the potential to revolutionize the display industry. Smartkem’s patented TRUFLEX® liquid semiconductor polymers can be used to make a new type of transistor that can be used in a number of display technologies, including next generation microLED displays. Smartkem’s organic inks enable low temperature printing processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing infrastructure to deliver low-cost displays that outperform existing technology.
Smartkem develops its materials at its research and development facility in Manchester, UK and provides prototyping services at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) at Sedgefield, UK. It has a field application office in Taiwan. The company has an extensive IP portfolio including 138 granted patents across 18 patent families, 16 pending patents and 40 codified trade secrets.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, the expected use of proceeds received from the offerings. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Smartkem Inc.’s current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smartkem-closes-7-65-million-offering-302337973.html
Fintech PR
Designing for the future: SM’s vision through an architect’s lens
PASAY CITY, Philippines, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The SM Group, through its integrated property developer arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is setting a benchmark in sustainable and disaster-resilient design. Embracing innovation, the company integrates environmental considerations and community well-being into its projects, reflecting a commitment to long-term sustainability.
The SM group’s foresight to incorporate best building practices continues with the next generation, as Jessica Sy, Vice President and Head of Design, Innovation, and Strategy of SM Prime and its residential arm SM Development Corporation (SMDC) emphasizes respecting the land through the creation of green buildings.
“We want to make sure that when we develop a building, it’s going to last for a long time,” said Ms. Sy. “We’ve seen that what’s good for our communities is actually good for our company because addressing their needs also strengthens our connection with them as our customers.”
Drawing from lessons on her first year in studying architecture, Ms. Sy noted the role of water in any development. It can be both beautiful—a source of life or unpredictable in nature.
“As architects, this was one of the first few things we were taught,” Ms. Sy added. “Water is life-giving but it can also change everything. Floods in properties could heavily impact and uproot the lives of many families.”
Field Residences is an example of SM’s commitment in meeting the highest standards of disaster resilience in its development.
A new rainwater detention tank was completed in September this year after SMDC found that water levels in Field Residences had risen over the years. It is designed to handle extreme rainfall similar to those during Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), which brought 455 millimeters of rain in 24 hours.
How architecture can also build values
SMDC also promotes local identity in its projects by specifically choosing native plants that are more well-suited to the area.
“We try to reduce the types of plants that don’t benefit the local environment nor enliven its biodiversity,” she said. “What we do is to identify plants that can prosper here such as the endemic katmon [Dillenia philippinensis] tree.”
SMDC initiated to have future nurseries of these plants in various developments.
“The decisions that we have today are going to impact the long-term future,” she added. “With sustainability at the forefront of our conversations nowadays, we see that that’s part of the legacy that we need to complete.”
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Fintech PR
H.I.G. Realty Announces Strategic Partnership with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre in London
LONDON, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that an affiliate has signed a strategic partnership (the “Partnership”) with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre (“QMB”), with an agreement to deliver 40,000 square feet of incubator space at its flagship innovation centre in Whitechapel, London.
H.I.G. and its development partner, Lateral, a UK-based real estate developer, will collaborate with Barts Life Sciences (BLS), Barts Health NHS Trust, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and the U.K. Department of Health & Social Care on this project, marking a significant milestone for the Whitechapel Life Science Cluster. The additional space will support the goal of creating a world-class life sciences cluster in the heart of Whitechapel, accelerating the development of life-changing healthcare treatments and outcomes.
Additionally, the development of a state-of-the-art incubator space and its shared services will create a venture-building environment and ecosystem, critical in attracting startup companies and spinouts. QMB’s extensive experience operating incubator spaces will also help deliver long-term, high-quality jobs to the Whitechapel area, foster career pathways, and promote education in the life sciences and STEM sectors.
Jérôme Fouillé, Managing Director at H.I.G. Realty in Europe, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with QMB in developing this first-class incubator space at Cavell Street. Our collaboration marks a significant step in creating a vibrant life sciences cluster in Whitechapel and furthering the growth of H.I.G.’s life sciences real estate platform in the U.K. By providing high-quality facilities and support services, we are cultivating an environment where innovative startups can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking health outcomes.”
Ted Webster, Chairman of QMB, commented, “Our partnership with H.I.G. is an exciting opportunity to expand our proven model of supporting life science startups. The new space will enable us to nurture the next generation of innovative companies, providing them with the resources and conditions they need to succeed. We are committed to driving scientific advancement and delivering significant benefits to the local community and beyond.”
About Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre
The existing QMB incubator opened in 2011 as London’s first completely new-built facility for both early and late-stage chemistry and biology start-ups, offering 39,000 square feet of commercial wet laboratory and office space. QMB’s long track record of supporting the growth of innovative companies and facilitating access to the world-class facilities at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Medicine and Dentistry has proven a huge success. This proven expertise ensures that the new incubator space at Cavell Street will provide a nurturing environment for emerging life science companies to innovate and grow. For more information, visit qmbioenterprises.com.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:
- H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
- H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
- H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
- H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.
*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. |
Contact:
Riccardo Dallolio
Managing Director
[email protected]
Jérôme Fouillé
Managing Director
[email protected]
H.I.G. Capital
10 Grosvenor Street
2nd Floor
London W1K 4QB
United Kingdom
P +44 (0) 207 318 5700
hig.com
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