JSE agrees to acquire majority stake in share registry Link Market Services South Africa in a move to diversify business revenue
Johannesburg, 26 August 2019: JSE Limited, the operator of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Africa’s largest, multi-asset class stock exchange, has agreed to acquire Link Market Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Link SA), the second largest share registry business in South Africa (with 6 of the top 40 listed companies as clients), subject to all required approvals, for a cash amount of R224,5m.
JSE Limited will acquire a 74.85% shareholding in Link SA with Link SA's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) shareholder retaining the remaining 25.15% and the Link SA CEO, Iqbal Haniff, remaining as CEO of the company.
The acquisition will see Link SA being merged into the JSE Limited structure and operated independently under a newly formed business stream, subject to all required approvals. This proposed acquisition comes after many engagements with the JSE’s listed companies’ which have expressed a desire to drive synergies and consolidate how they service their shareholders through a one-stop-shop.
The proposed transaction is revenue accretive with an expected contribution of up to 6% of Group revenue, while exceeding the Group’s return on investment hurdles. This demonstrates that even in tougher economic times there are opportunities where the JSE can make a difference to its clients by thinking creatively and working hard to deliver that difference. This also presents opportunities for both listed and unlisted companies to use these services.
Through Link SA, the JSE intends to introduce end-to-end products and services to JSE listed companies, making it easier for them to communicate and understand their shareholder base. These services include shareholder register maintenance, corporate actions, shareholder analytics, managing BEE share schemes, electronic communication and voting, and training and educating shareholders. The transaction will enable the JSE to diversify revenue and extend the services it already offers listed companies through its Company Services team, which includes training, investor relations support and listed company annual, and interim results presentations hosting and meeting support.
JSE CEO, Nicky Newton-King say’s “We are continuously having conversations with our clients on how we can better meet their needs and add value. The JSE is well placed to engage in order to fill a crucial gap in the market and to collaborate with our listed companies to educate and look after their shareholders end-to-end. We look forward to this transaction strengthening our relationships with our listed clients and helping to build a stronger and more engaged shareholder base for our issuers which is so important for real inclusive growth in our country.”
John McMurtrie, Link Group Managing Director, says “Link SA has established itself as a leading share registry in the South African market and we strongly believe the partnership with the JSE will add value to the business. Link SA will remain a key member of the Global Share Alliance and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the business and with the JSE in the future.”
ENDS
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The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is based in South Africa where it has operated as a market place for the trading of financial products for 132 years. It connects buyers and sellers in equity, derivative and debt markets. The JSE is one of the top 20 exchanges in the world in terms of market capitalisation and is a member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) and holds the chairmanship of the Association of Futures Markets (AFM). The JSE offers an electronic, efficient, secure market with excellent regulation, trading and clearing systems, settlement assurance and risk management. www.jse.co.za
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