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CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (the "Trust" and, collectively with its subsidiaries, "Alaris") (TSX: AD.UN) is pleased to announce the redemption of Alaris' interest in Falcon Master Holdings, LLC, doing business as FNC Title Services ("FNC"), which closed on October 1, 2022, and resulted in gross proceeds to Alaris of US$58.3 million (CA$77.0 million) (the "FNC Proceeds"), consisting of (i) US$48.6 million for the redemption of all of Alaris’ preferred equity (which includes US$5.2 million for distributions (the "Make Whole Distributions") owed up to the third anniversary date of Alaris’ initial investment), and (ii) US$9.7 million for the purchase of Alaris’ investment in the common equity of FNC (which includes US$1.4 million of the FNC Proceeds that Alaris agreed to escrow in connection with the FNC redemption to cover potential indemnification obligations). The cost basis of the preferred equity was US$32.15 million and of the common equity was US$7.85 million.
Alaris' total return on our FNC investment, including the preferred and common equity distributions, is US$29.9 million or 75% ("FNC Return") which represents an unlevered IRR(3) of approximately 42% consisting of an approximate 43% IRR for our preferred equity investment and 38% IRR for our common equity investment, in FNC.
After today’s announcements, Alaris will have approximately CA$217 million drawn on its senior credit facility and CA$233 million available for investment purposes based on the recently amended and extended credit agreement that now provides for up to $450 million of indebtedness, while the total senior debt to EBITDA(2) on a proforma basis is approximately 1.5x. Alaris estimates its Run Rate Payout Ratio(1) to be between 65% and 70% following the FNC redemption.
"We are excited to show some early returns from our common equity strategy that we started three years ago. The addition of common equity helped us win this deal originally and has helped contribute to an incredible return two years later. Congratulations and thank you to the team at FNC for a tremendous outcome," said Gregg Delcourt, Chief Investment Officer, Alaris.
ABOUT ALARIS:
Alaris, through its subsidiaries, provides alternative financing to private companies ("Partners") in exchange for distributions, dividends and interest ("Distributions") with the principal objective of generating stable and predictable cash flows for dividend payments to its unitholders. Distributions from the Partners are adjusted each year based on the percentage change of a "top line" financial performance measure such as gross margin and same-store sales and rank in priority to the owners' common equity position.
NON-GAAP and Other Financial Measures:
The terms Run Rate Payout Ratio, EBITDA and IRR (collectively the "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures") are financial measures used in this news release that are not standard measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The Trust’s method of calculating Run Rate Payout Ratio, EBITDA and IRR may differ than from methods used by other issuers. Therefore, the Trust’s Run Rate Payout Ratio, EBITDA and IRR amounts may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers.
(1) "Run Rate Payout Ratio" is a non-GAAP financial ratio that refers to Alaris’ total distribution per unit expected to be paid over the next twelve months divided by the free cash flow per unit. Run Rate Payout Ratio is a useful metric for Alaris to track and to outline as it provides a summary of the percentage of the free cash flow that can be used to either repay senior debt during the next twelve months and/or be used for additional investment purposes.
(2) "EBITDA" is a non-GAAP financial measure and refers to earnings determined in accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, interest expense (finance costs) and income tax expense. EBITDA is used by management and many investors to determine the ability of an issuer or a Partner to generate cash from operations. Management believes EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure from which to determine Partner’s ability to generate cash available for servicing its loans and borrowings, income taxes and distributions to unitholders.
(3) "IRR" is a supplementary financial measure and refers to internal rate of return, which is a metric used to determine the discount rate that derives a net present value of cash flows to zero. Management uses IRR to analyze partner returns. The Trust’s method of calculating this supplementary financial measure may differ from the methods used by other issuers. Therefore, it may not be comparable to similar measures by other issuers.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of "safe harbor" provisions under applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release may be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management's expectations, intentions and beliefs concerning: FNC Redemption and the financial impact on Alaris including the impact on Run Rate Payout Ratio. Many of these statements can be identified by words such as "believe", "expects", "will", "intends", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" or similar words or the negative thereof. Any forward-looking statements herein which constitute a financial outlook or future-oriented financial information (including the impact on Run Rate Payout Ratio) were approved by management as of the date hereof and have been included to provide an understanding of Alaris' financial performance and are subject to the same risks and assumptions disclosed herein. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements are based will occur.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require Alaris to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies over the next 24 months and how that will affect Alaris’ business and that of its Partners (including, without limitation, the ongoing impact of COVID-19) are material factors considered by Alaris management when setting the outlook for Alaris. Key assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that: the Canadian and U.S. economies will continue to stabilize from the economic downturn created by COVID-19 and will not be detrimentally impacted over the next 12 months; interest rates will not rise in a material way over the next 12 months; that those Alaris Partners previously affected by COVID-19 will not see a detrimental impact from COVID-19 over the next 12 months; following a recovery from the COVID-19 impact, the businesses of the majority of our Partners will continue to grow; the businesses of new Partners and those of existing partners will perform in line with Alaris’ expectations and diligence; more private companies will require access to alternative sources of capital and that Alaris will have the ability to raise required equity and/or debt financing on acceptable terms. Management of Alaris has also assumed that the Canadian and U.S. dollar trading pair will remain in a range of approximately plus or minus 15% of the current rate over the next 6 months. In determining expectations for economic growth, management of Alaris primarily considers historical economic data provided by the Canadian and U.S. governments and their agencies as well as prevailing economic conditions at the time of such determinations.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and should not be read as guarantees or assurances of future performance. The actual results of the Trust and the Partners could materially differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of certain risk factors, including, but not limited to: the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Trust and its Partners (including which, if any, Partners may experience a slowdown or closure of its business); the ability of our Partners and, correspondingly, Alaris to meet performance expectations for 2022 and beyond as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise; any change in the senior lenders under the Facility’s outlook for Alaris’ business; management's ability to assess and mitigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19; the dependence of Alaris on the Partners; reliance on key personnel; general economic conditions, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian, U.S. and global economies; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefit of Alaris’ financing arrangements with the Partners; a failure of the Trust or any Partners to obtain required regulatory approvals on a timely basis or at all; changes in legislation and regulations and the interpretations thereof; risks relating to the Partners and their businesses, including, without limitation, a material change in the operations of a Partner or the industries they operate in; inability to close additional Partner contributions in a timely fashion, or at all; a change in the ability of the Partners to continue to pay Alaris’ Distributions; a change in the unaudited information provided to the Trust; a failure of a Partner (or Partners) to realize on their anticipated growth strategies; a failure to achieve resolutions for outstanding issues, including payment of any deferred Distributions, with Partners on terms materially in line with management’s expectations or at all; and a failure to realize the benefits of any concessions or relief measures provided by Alaris to any Partner or to successfully execute an exit strategy for a Partner where desired. Additional risks that may cause actual results to vary from those indicated are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and "Forward Looking Statements" in the Trust’s Management Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are filed under the Trust’s profile at www.sedar.com and on its website at www.alarisequitypartners.com.
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about increases to the Trust's net operating cash per flow per unit and liquidity, each of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI and forward-looking statements. Alaris' actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Trust will derive therefrom. The Trust has included the forward-looking statements and FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Alaris’ future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Alaris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. Statements containing forward-looking information reflect management’s current beliefs and assumptions based on information in its possession on the date of this news release. Although management believes that the assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Alaris does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new events or circumstances except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
Investor Relations
ir@alarisequity.com
P: (403) 260-1457
Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust
Suite 250, 333 24th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2S 3E6
www.alarisequitypartners.com
