SYDNEY – Australian investment firm ARC Funds Ltd (ASX: ARC) said on Tuesday it has conditionally agreed to acquire a 25% minority stake in digital media business Ausbiz Group Pty Ltd, in a deal to be settled entirely through the issuance of new ARC shares.
Under the terms of the agreement, ARC will issue 8.13 million fully paid ordinary shares to existing Ausbiz shareholders, priced at A$0.125 per share — a premium to ARC’s recent trading price and in line with its latest capital raising activities, the company said.
The transaction represents a passive, non-controlling interest, ARC said, adding that it will not direct Ausbiz’s financial or operational policies following completion.
“The investment is consistent with ARC’s existing activities of making selective investments in financial services and related businesses,” the company said in an announcement.
Completion is subject to customary conditions, including due diligence, final documentation, regulatory approvals, and shareholder approval from ARC’s investors. The company does not expect the deal to constitute a significant change to its activities under ASX Listing Rule 11.1.2.
Ausbiz operates a digital media platform focused on financial markets content and investor engagement. Further financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.