LivePerson to Merge with SoundHound in Stock Deal
LivePerson, Inc. agreed to be acquired by SoundHound AI, Inc. via a stock-for-stock merger, with LivePerson becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SoundHound.
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Rhea-AI Filing Summary
LivePerson, Inc. agreed to be acquired by SoundHound AI, Inc. via a stock-for-stock merger, with LivePerson becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SoundHound. LivePerson stockholders will receive Class A SoundHound shares based on a formula linking a $42,784,532.64 Aggregate Consideration Amount to SoundHound’s 10‑day VWAP, subject to collar limits between $7 and $12 per share.
In-the-money LivePerson options and vested RSUs will be cashed out or converted into SoundHound equity, while out-of-the-money options and all warrants will be cancelled. Completion depends on LivePerson stockholder approval, regulatory clearances, effectiveness of a Form S‑4, Nasdaq listing of new SoundHound shares, and a concurrent restructuring of LivePerson’s secured notes.
Concurrently, SoundHound, LivePerson and holders of LivePerson’s 2029 first- and second‑lien secured notes entered a Notes Restructuring Agreement. Noteholders will exchange their debt for SoundHound stock valued at $178,007,733.68 for first‑lien notes and $83,207,733.68 for second‑lien notes, plus defined cash components tied to LivePerson’s cash balances and any repurchases of 0% convertible notes due 2026. The merger agreement includes outside dates up to December 5, 2026 and a $5,000,000 termination fee plus expenses for certain LivePerson walk‑away scenarios.
Insights
LivePerson agrees to an all‑stock sale to SoundHound with major debt-for-equity swaps.
LivePerson plans to combine with SoundHound in an all‑stock merger where LivePerson holders receive SoundHound Class A shares determined by a formula using a $42,784,532.64 Aggregate Consideration Amount and SoundHound’s 10‑day VWAP, capped between $7 and $12 per share. This suggests a relatively fixed overall value for LivePerson equity, while the per‑share exchange ratio will adjust with LivePerson’s fully diluted share count and SoundHound’s trading price.
The concurrent Notes Restructuring is substantial: first‑lien noteholders receive SoundHound stock valued at $178,007,733.68 and second‑lien noteholders stock valued at $83,207,733.68, plus cash amounts tied to LivePerson’s cash balance, excess cash and repurchases of 0% 2026 convertible notes. This shifts a large portion of LivePerson’s secured debt into equity in the combined company, reducing leverage but increasing SoundHound’s share issuance.
Closing is conditioned on LivePerson stockholder approval, various regulatory and listing approvals, an effective Form S‑4 and completion of the Notes Restructuring Transactions. The merger can terminate after October 21, 2026 (extendable to December 5, 2026), and LivePerson faces a $5,000,000 termination fee plus specified expenses in certain circumstances, reinforcing the linkage between deal completion and the debt restructuring.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Merger Agreement financial
LivePerson Shortfall Cash financial
First Lien Secured Notes financial
Form S-4 regulatory
LivePerson Excess Cash financial
FAQ
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What did LivePerson (LPSN) announce with SoundHound AI?
What happens to LivePerson’s options, RSUs and warrants in this transaction?
How are LivePerson’s secured notes treated under the Notes Restructuring Agreement?
What are the main conditions to closing the LivePerson–SoundHound merger?
Can LivePerson (LPSN) terminate the merger, and is there a breakup fee?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.