The Advisory Board Company (NASDAQ: ABCO), a distinctive provider of research, technology and consulting to health care organizations and education institutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to sell its health care business to Optum, a leading health services company, and a definitive purchase agreement to sell its education business to affiliates of Vista Equity Partners, a leading investment firm. Stockholders of the Company would receive estimated cash per share of $54.29, which includes a fixed amount of $52.65 per share and the after-tax value at closing of the Company's 7.6% stake in Evolent Health, Inc., which has been estimated as of August 28, 2017. Total merger transaction value, including the after-tax proceeds for the sale of the education business, is approximately $2.58 billion.
Prior to the closing of the merger of the health care business with Optum, affiliates of Vista will acquire the Company's education business, including Royall & Company, for $1.55 billion, subject to customary adjustments.
Following the closing of the education transaction, the Company's health care business will merge with Optum for $1.3 billion, including the assumption of The Advisory Board Company's debt. All of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $52.65per share in cash plus an additional cash amount per share based on the after-tax value of the Company's stake in Evolent at closing. Such additional amount will fluctuate between signing and closing.
Based on the closing trading price of Evolent's Class A common stock on August 28, 2017, stockholders would receive total cash consideration per share of approximately $54.29 in the merger, representing a premium for stockholders of approximately 50% to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ on January 11, 2017, which was the last trading day prior to the public disclosure of a significant minority investment in the Company.
"Our board of directors and executive leadership team conducted a thorough review of strategic alternatives for the Company. After careful consideration, we determined that transactions with Optum and Vista Equity Partners allow us to accelerate the success of our health care and education businesses while realizing immediate value for stockholders," said Robert Musslewhite, chairman and chief executive officer of The Advisory Board Company. "We believe this is the best course of action for our stockholders, members and employees, and is a testament to our employees' commitment, dedication and hard work in executing our plan and continuing to deliver outstanding value to our members."
Health Care Merger
The Advisory Board Company's industry-leading independent research, strategic health care advisory services, and strong capabilities in analytics will complement Optum's products and services for the benefit of health care stakeholders. At the same time, Optum's exceptional data analytics resources, operational expertise in delivering large-scale solutions and services and investment capital will strengthen The Advisory Board Company's offerings and enable it to expand more fully into new health care markets. By developing best-practice solutions and a comprehensive health care focused advisory business, the combined organization will help its members and clients respond to changing market dynamics and improve the health system for everyone. Optum will preserve the objectivity and enhance the range, impact and value of The Advisory Board Company's research for its members, while offering a broader range of advisory and technology capacities to enhance the value it delivers to its members.
"By working together, The Advisory Board Company and Optum will provide deeper strategic insights and practical operational value to clients who are looking for ways to enhance care and respond to the changing market dynamics of the health care system," said Larry Renfro, CEO, Optum.
The Board of Directors of The Advisory Board Company unanimously approved the merger agreement and has recommended that the Company's stockholders adopt the merger agreement. The merger is expected to close by the end of 2017 or in early 2018 and is contingent on the approval of the Company's stockholders. The merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain other closing conditions, including U.S. antitrust clearance and the closing of the sale of the education business. It is not subject to a financing condition. Elliott Management has agreed to vote its shares in support of the merger at the upcoming stockholder meeting.
Sale of the Education Business
As a Vista Equity Partners portfolio company, EAB will operate as a standalone business dedicated to serving the interests of its members and able to more fully realize growth opportunities in a dynamic industry. Vista Equity Partners has significant experience in building and growing strong and durable businesses, along with a deep knowledge of the education industry. It invests in businesses with an established customer base, high customer retention, superior return on investment and strong recurring revenue, led by experienced management teams with a long-term perspective.
"Operating at the intersection of research, data and technology, EAB delivers valuable services to help its member educational institutions grow and thrive," said Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. "We look forward to working with EAB's experienced management team to scale its best-in-class thought leadership to its loyal and expanding member base."
The sale of the education business is expected to close by the end of 2017 or in early 2018 and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, including U.S. antitrust clearance. In addition, the Company's obligation to close the sale of the education business is subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions under the merger agreement. The sale of the education business is not subject to a financing condition and does not require approval of the Company's stockholders.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC and Allen & Company LLC are acting as financial advisors to the Company. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Company. Evercore and Macquarie Capital are serving as financial advisors to Vista Equity Partners, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as its legal counsel.
About The Advisory Board Company
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices worldwide, The Advisory Board Company is a best practices firm that uses a combination of research, technology and consulting to improve the performance of approximately 5,700 health care organizations and educational institutions. The Advisory Board Company forges and finds the best new ideas and proven practices from its network of thousands of leaders, then customizes and hardwires them into every level of member organizations, creating enduring value.
Advisory Board, the health care business of The Advisory Board Company, is a best practices firm that uses a combination of research, technology and consulting to improve the performance of more than 4,400 health care organizations. For more information, visit www.advisory.com.
EAB, the education business of The Advisory Board Company, is a best practices firm that uses a combination of research, technology and services to improve the performance of more than 1,200 educational institutions. For more information, visit www.eab.com.
About Optum
Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 133,000 people worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). For more information, visit www.optum.com.
About Vista Equity Partners
Vista Equity Partners, a U.S.-based investment firm with offices in Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, and Oakland with more than $30 billion in cumulative capital commitments, currently invests in software, data and technology-enabled organizations led by world-class management teams with long-term perspective. Vista Equity Partners is a value-added investor, contributing professional expertise and multi-level support towards companies realizing their full potential. Vista Equity Partner's investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions, and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and opportunity in private equity investing. For more information, please visit www.vistaequitypartners.com.
