Fintech PR
B. Riley Financial to Establish Partnership with Oaktree in the Great American Group Businesses
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — B. Riley Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: RILY) (“B. Riley” and the “Company”), a diversified financial services platform, and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), have signed a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) to establish a partnership in Great American Holdings, LLC, a newly formed holding company (“Great American NewCo”).
Prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, B. Riley will undertake a pre-closing internal reorganization and will contribute all of the interests in B. Riley’s Appraisal and Valuation Services, Retail, Wholesale & Industrial Solutions including the European Business, GA Europe, and Real Estate businesses (collectively known as the “Great American Group”) to Great American NewCo.
At the closing of the transaction, B. Riley will receive total consideration consisting of approximately $203 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, Class B Preferred Units of Great American NewCo with an initial aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $183 million, and Class A Common Units of NewCo representing approximately 47% of the total outstanding common units. Oaktree will acquire Class A Preferred Units of Great American NewCo with an initial liquidation preference of approximately $203 million, as well as Class A Common Units representing approximately 53% of the aggregate amount of the issued and outstanding Class A Common Units of Great American NewCo, in exchange for cash consideration of approximately $203 million (the “Proposed Transaction”), implying a total enterprise value for the Great American NewCo of $386 million. The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and is subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of B. Riley, said, “I am pleased to be partnering with Oaktree given its stellar track record and reputation as one of the world’s leading asset managers. We believe Oaktree’s scale and expertise in alternative investments and their strength as a capital provider, combined with the Great American Group’s leading position as a provider of asset disposition, financial advisory and real estate services, will prove complementary as we join forces to deliver financial products and services to better serve our clients.”
Mr. Riley continued, “As we communicated last month, this transaction is an important step in our plan to reduce our debt while reinvesting in our core financial services businesses. We are very excited about this new partnership we established with Oaktree in the Great American Group as it will enable meaningful debt reduction while retaining significant equity upside in the business with a highly capable new partner that will increase its future growth prospects.”
“Great American offers an exciting investment opportunity for Oaktree in a leading valuation appraisal, asset disposition and real estate platform. We are eager to provide both capital and our extensive operating expertise to support the future growth of the business,” said Nick Basso, Managing Director at Oaktree.
“As an experienced capital provider to the financial services sector, we are thrilled to partner with B. Riley and Great American’s talented leadership team. We look forward to bringing our resources and relationships to support Great American’s growth as an independent platform,” said Thomas Casarella, Managing Director at Oaktree.
Advisors
Moelis & Company LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to B. Riley, and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal advisor to B. Riley. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal advisor to Oaktree.
About B. Riley Financial
B. Riley Financial is a diversified financial services platform that delivers tailored solutions to meet the strategic, operational, and capital needs of its clients and partners. B. Riley leverages cross-platform expertise to provide clients with full service, collaborative solutions at every stage of the business life cycle. Through its affiliated subsidiaries, B. Riley provides end-to-end financial services across investment banking, institutional brokerage, private wealth and investment management, financial consulting, corporate restructuring, operations management, risk and compliance, due diligence, forensic accounting, litigation support, appraisal and valuation, auction, and liquidation services. B. Riley opportunistically invests to benefit its shareholders, and certain affiliates originate and underwrite senior secured loans for asset-rich companies. B. Riley refers to B. Riley Financial, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For more information, please visit www.brileyfin.com.
About Oaktree
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $193 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real estate and listed equities. The firm has over 1,200 employees and offices in 23 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company’s performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company assumes no duty to update forward looking statements, except as required by law. Actual future results, performance or achievements may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement; the inability to consummate the transactions contemplated therein or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the Proposed Transaction; potential litigation relating to the Proposed Transaction that could be instituted in connection with the Agreement; and the risk that the Proposed Transaction will not be consummated in a timely manner, if at all. In addition to these factors, we encourage you to review the “Risk Factors” set forth in B. Riley’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which identify important factors, though not necessarily all such factors, that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements in this communication.
Contacts
B. Riley
Investors
[email protected]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/b-riley-financial-to-establish-partnership-with-oaktree-in-the-great-american-group-businesses-302277099.html
Fintech PR
CoinDesk bolsters information services offering with strategic acquisition of CCData and CryptoCompare
NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CoinDesk, one of the most trusted media, events, indices, and data companies for the global crypto economy, today announced that it has acquired CCData, a U.K. FCA-regulated benchmark administrator and one of the leading providers of digital asset data and index solutions, including its trusted retail site, CryptoCompare, which serves over 300,000 active users. The acquisition significantly scales CoinDesk’s information services and data products, while offering enhanced cross-sell opportunities to CCData and CryptoCompare’s extensive number of institutional and retail clients.
For over a decade, CCData has been providing its institutional-grade data solutions, digital asset index suite, and award-winning research to government, institutional, and retail clients navigating the digital asset ecosystem. The acquisition of CCData’s robust data platform and retail platform CryptoCompare further strengthens CoinDesk’s data offerings, immediately increases subscription revenues, and complements the existing suite of solutions offered by CoinDesk Indices and CoinDesk Media.
“Over the past ten years, CCData has become one of the most respected and reliable data platforms for digital assets, earning the trust of numerous users seeking to understand and leverage their potential,” said Sara Stratoberdha, CoinDesk CEO. “We are thrilled to begin integrating CCData’s high-quality, robust, and trusted data platform and retail suite across CoinDesk’s existing products and services to unlock greater opportunities for our customers.”
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with CoinDesk as we embark on the next chapter of CCData’s journey,” said Charles Hayter, CEO and Co-Founder of CCData. “CoinDesk is an integral pillar of the digital asset sector, from its award-winning journalism to flourishing index business. I am deeply proud of what CCData and CryptoCompare have accomplished over the past decade, and with CoinDesk as our partner, I’m confident that we will continue to build a legacy that supports and empowers our clients and the broader crypto industry.”
CoinDesk business update
Since 2014, CoinDesk Indices has been at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, empowering investors globally with tens of billions of dollars in benchmarked assets. Flagships such as the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX) and the CoinDesk 20 Index set the industry standard for measuring, trading, and investing in digital assets. Since launching in January 2024, the CoinDesk 20 perpetual futures contract has attracted substantial institutional interest, driving a trading volume of over $8 billion.
CoinDesk Media provides news, analysis and real-time insights on digital assets and blockchain technology and holds large-scale conferences for industry professionals. CoinDesk Media’s products and services reached an estimated audience of 45.5 million people during the first half of 2024. The Consensus conference, one of the world’s largest and longest-running digital asset events, attracted over 15,000 registrations in 2024. Consensus Hong Kong and Consensus Toronto will take place on February 18-20 and May 14-16 in 2025, respectively.
Advisor
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP served as legal advisor to CoinDesk on the transaction.
Media contacts
CoinDesk
CCData
About CCData
CCData is an FCA-regulated benchmark administrator and global leader in digital asset data, providing institutional-grade digital asset data and settlement indices. By aggregating and analyzing tick data from globally recognised exchanges and seamlessly integrating multiple datasets, CCData provides a comprehensive and granular overview of the market across trade, derivatives, order book, historical, social, and blockchain data.
To learn more about CCData, go to: www.ccdata.io.
About CoinDesk
CoinDesk is one of the most trusted media, events, indices, and data companies for the global crypto economy. CoinDesk Indices offers expertise in digital asset indices, data, and research to educate and empower investors. Since 2013, CoinDesk Media has led the story of the future of money and investing, illuminating the transformation in society and culture that comes with it. Our award-winning team of journalists delivers news and unparalleled insights that bring transparency, comprehension, and context. CoinDesk Events gathers the global crypto, blockchain, and Web3 communities at annual events such as Consensus, the world’s largest and longest-running crypto festival.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/coindesk-bolsters-information-services-offering-with-strategic-acquisition-of-ccdata-and-cryptocompare-302277699.html
Fintech PR
HGC Global Communications Launches Data Center Interconnect Clusters to Transform Connectivity Across Asia
HONG KONG, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fully-fledged ICT service provider and network operator with extensive global coverage, is pleased to announce the launch of Data Center Interconnect (DCI) clusters in key mature and emerging data hubs across Asia. This strategic initiative aims to elevate exceptional in-country and inter-country connectivity, providing enterprise solutions specifically designed to meet the evolving demands of the globe digital landscape.
HGC as the Leading Operator in Establishing In-Country DCI Clusters Across Asia
HGC’s expertise in navigating the criteria shaping the digital transformation of emerging hubs in Southeast Asia has enabled the successful launch of DCI in key locations such as Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Coupled with mature hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore, this initiative forms an extensive DCI infrastructure that connects major data centers across Asia. HGC fully manages well-established infrastructure and local expertise in each location within DCI cluster, ensuring low latency and a swift mean time to recovery (MTTR). With over 30 years of experience, the HGC team in Hong Kong headquarters will provide comprehensive support to regional operations while enhancing local services. The DCI clusters will be offered to our carriers partners, combining to their networks enhancing its strength and integration to their DCI infrastructure. By combining experienced headquarters support with local expertise, HGC is dedicated to further elevating and uplifting its service offerings.
Expanding Inter-Country Connectivity: HGC’s Unique Proposition in Regional DCI Clusters
Building on HGC’s In-Country DCI clusters, the company presents a unique proposition within the regional DCI landscape across Asia. This strategic advantage allows HGC to deliver diverse and flexible cross-country DCI services, facilitating seamless access for customers from Africa, Americas, Europe and the Middle East who are looking to enter the region.
With extensive experience in expanding international markets, HGC’s well-trained team excels at managing unexpected incidents. In such situations, HGC is equipped to provide alternative services for affected clients, utilizing its extensive global connections.
HGC’s Connectivity Solutions: Navigating the Digital Transformation
In response to increasing demand of AI and other emerging applications in the digital era, there is a heightened need for robust connectivity. Leveraging HGC’s strengths in both In-Country and inter-country presences, the company is ideally positioned to provide a variety of customized low-latency cross-border connectivity, ICT services, and cybersecurity solutions, all built on a robust regional DCI fabric. These connectivity services include Eyeball-as-a-Service, IP-related services, and AMS-IX – the internet exchange solution.
Ravindran Mahalingam, Senior Vice President, International Business of HGC said: “We are eager to showcase HGC’s DCI clusters which we believe will perfectly meet the digital transformation needs of enterprises. Our unique strengths in Asia, combined with our global reputation and network, position this solution to effectively address the challenges of shifting the emerging economies to modernize inclusively in the rapidly digitalising era.”
About HGC Global Communications Limited
HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international telecom operator and ICT solution provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 21 global offices and staff presence in 33 cities worldwide. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate, SME and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibreoptic network, five cross-border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. In 2019, HGC Group completed the acquisition of Macroview Telecom Limited (Macroview), a leading digital technology solution and managed services provider. The addition of Macroview further accelerates HGC Group’s digital transformation path and positioning as a pioneering ICT and digital services leader. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities, transport, social infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and environmental infrastructure in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
To learn more, please visit HGC’s website at: www.hgc.com.hk
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hgc-global-communications-launches-data-center-interconnect-clusters-to-transform-connectivity-across-asia-302277733.html
Fintech PR
Nakheel awards AED 5 billion in contracts for luxury villa construction on Palm Jebel Ali
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding’s pioneering real estate arm Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded three major contracts, collectively valued at more than AED 5 billion, for the construction of exclusive ultra-luxury villas on the first six fronds of Palm Jebel Ali, scheduled for completion by late 2026.
The contracts, awarded to Ginco General Contracting, Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast and United Engineering Construction Company (UNEC), mark a significant milestone in the ongoing development of this landmark waterfront destination in Dubai. The scope of work under the three contracts includes the construction of 723 luxurious Beach Collection and Coral Collection villas with exclusive beach frontage across six fronds in addition to the comprehensive development of world-class infrastructure and vibrant public spaces within the respective fronds on Palm Jebel Ali.
Palm Jebel Ali will set a new standard for waterfront living, and residents can look forward to a diverse selection of five- and six bedroom Beach Collection villas, numbering 539 in total, and 184 opulent Coral Collection villas boasting seven bedrooms, each meticulously crafted with a choice of eight distinct architectural styles for the Beach Collection villas and eight styles for the Coral Collection villas. The luxury villas feature expansive built-up areas ranging from 8,000 to 15,000 square feet. The construction of the waterfront residences will be complemented by the simultaneous development of a network of roads, seamlessly integrated utilities and verdant landscaping, all designed to elevate the community living experience for residents, families and visitors.
Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: “Palm Jebel Ali represents the pinnacle of waterfront living and reflects Dubai’s vision of growth and prosperity. It is set to contribute significantly to the emirate’s economic development, attracting investment and tourism for years to come. Partnering with Ginco General Contracting, Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast and UNEC on the prestigious Palm Jebel Ali project reflects our commitment to developing and delivering the highest standard of living experiences available in the market.”
Palm Jebel Ali’s seven islands span 13.4 kilometres, feature 16 fronds and over 90 kilometres of beachfront, which aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s goal of expanding public beach access.
For the video: Nakheel awards AED 5 billion in contracts for Palm Jebel Ali
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Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2532214/Nakheel_signing_ceremony.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nakheel-awards-aed-5-billion-in-contracts-for-luxury-villa-construction-on-palm-jebel-ali-302277732.html
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