STOCK TITAN

Ascendent Wins Overwhelming Shareholder Support to Acquire Hollysys for US$26.50 Per Share

Rhea-AI Impact
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Summary
Ascendent Capital Partners has received overwhelming support from Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. shareholders for the acquisition proposal, with approximately 86.94% of shareholders approving the resolution. The acquisition will be for US$26.50 per share in cash. The company is committed to securing regulatory approvals and closing the acquisition expeditiously.
Positive
  • None.
Negative
  • None.

The approval of Ascendent's acquisition of Hollysys Automation Technologies by a significant majority of shareholders indicates a positive reception to the offer price of US$26.50 per share. This level of acceptance, with 76.95% of shareholders voting, suggests that the market perceives the offer as fair and potentially above the intrinsic value of the shares pre-acquisition. The cash offer provides immediate liquidity to shareholders, which is often viewed favorably, especially during uncertain economic conditions.

From a financial perspective, this transaction will likely be scrutinized for its impact on earnings and debt levels post-acquisition. Ascendent's ability to streamline operations and achieve synergies will be critical in justifying the acquisition price. Investors should monitor the post-acquisition integration process closely, as it will play a significant role in the long-term success of the deal and the potential return on investment for Ascendent's stakeholders.

The commitment to securing regulatory approvals is a pivotal aspect of this acquisition. Regulatory scrutiny can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the industry. For Ascendent and Hollysys, this process will involve antitrust considerations, as well as approval from industry-specific regulatory bodies. The transparent and thorough sale process, as highlighted by Leon Meng, will likely facilitate this stage, but unexpected regulatory hurdles could still arise, potentially delaying the acquisition.

Furthermore, the appointment of new board members is an essential step in aligning Hollysys' strategic direction with Ascendent's vision post-acquisition. The expertise and background of the appointed directors will be instrumental in guiding the company through the transition and beyond. Stakeholders should assess the track record and industry experience of the new board members, as they will play a crucial role in shaping the company's future.

The acquisition's endorsement by Hollysys' shareholders in a challenging macro environment highlights Ascendent's perceived strength and stability as a private equity firm. This move may signal to the market that there is still substantial investor confidence in private equity's role within the automation technology sector, despite broader economic uncertainties. The ability of private equity firms to execute significant buyouts can serve as a bellwether for the health of mergers and acquisitions activity in the region.

Given the strategic nature of automation technologies in various industries, this acquisition could position Ascendent to capitalize on the growing demand for automation solutions. The long-term implications for the sector include potential consolidation and increased competition among key players. Observers should watch for any strategic shifts in market dynamics as a result of this acquisition, which could influence investment trends and sector growth.

  • Approximately 86.94% of the shareholders who voted at the shareholders meeting approved Ascendent's acquisition proposal; Approximately 76.95% of shareholders voted, underlining the competitive value that has been offered to them.
  • Ascendent is committed to securing regulatory approvals and closing the acquisition expeditiously.

HONG KONG, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascendent Capital Partners ("Ascendent"), a private equity investment management firm managing assets for global institutional investors, is pleased to note that Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOLI) ("Hollysys" or the "Company") has announced the voting results of the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") held today. The EGM concluded with the overwhelming majority of Hollysys shareholders approving all resolutions, including the resolution pursuant to which Ascendent will acquire all outstanding shares of Hollysys that it does not currently own for US$26.50 per share in cash.

Leon Meng, Chairman and CEO of Ascendent, commented: "Today marks an important milestone for Hollysys, its investors, management, and staff. Ascendent, with our highest standards of corporate governance, applauds the Special Committee for conducting a transparent, thorough and robust sale process. We also want to thank Hollysys shareholders for their strong support and will work towards securing the required regulatory approvals expeditiously. Today's vote demonstrates that with a solid company in a transparent process, significant buyouts can still be done with the right private equity firms, even in this challenging macro environment and region."

In addition, shareholders at the EGM authorized and approved the appointment of each of Guanghua Miao, Ding Wei and Dennis Demiao Zhu to the board of directors of the Company.

About Ascendent Capital Partners

Ascendent Capital Partners, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a private equity investment management firm managing assets for global institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, endowments, pensions and foundations. For additional information about Ascendent, please visit Ascendent's website at www.ascendentcp.com.

Advisors

Ascendent is advised by BNP Paribas Securities Corp, Morrison & Foerster LLP, Appleby and Zhong Lun Law Firm.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ascendent-wins-overwhelming-shareholder-support-to-acquire-hollysys-for-us26-50-per-share-302057479.html

SOURCE Ascendent Capital Partners

FAQ

What percentage of shareholders approved Ascendent's acquisition proposal?

Approximately 86.94% of shareholders approved Ascendent's acquisition proposal at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

What is the acquisition price per share?

The acquisition will be for US$26.50 per share in cash.

Who are the new board members appointed at the EGM?

Guanghua Miao, Ding Wei and Dennis Demiao Zhu were authorized and approved to be appointed to the board of directors of the Company.

What is the ticker symbol for Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.?

The ticker symbol is HOLI.

Hollsys Automation Technologies INTERNATIONAL, LTD. COMMON (British Virgin Island)

NASDAQ:HOLI

HOLI Rankings

HOLI Latest News

HOLI Stock Data

1.46B
46.98M
11.14%
83.16%
8.87%
Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Link
United States of America
Beijing

About HOLI

hollysys automation technologies, a nasdaq public listed company since 2008, is a leading provider of automation and control technologies and applications in china that enables its diversified industry and utility customers to improve operating safety, reliability, and efficiency. founded in 1993, hollysys has serves over 5,000 customers more than 20,000 projects in the industrial, railway, subway & nuclear industries with proven numerous track records, had established itself in the region of china, southeast asia, and the middle east. its proprietary technologies are applied in its industrial automation solution suite including dcs, plc, rmis, hams, ots, hollias batch, hollias apc suite, sis, tcc, atp, scada, nuclear power automation and control system and other products. after more than 20 years of stable growth, hollysys is growing into a global company, and strive to create more value to society and bring better life to human being by supplying cutting-edge products based on its co