CONCORD, Calif. - AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:AMK), a wealth management technology platform, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity firm GTCR for approximately $2.7 billion in cash. The agreement, announced today, will see AssetMark stockholders receive $35.25 per share.
The Board of Directors of AssetMark has unanimously approved the transaction and recommended it to its stockholders. The approval was followed by a written consent from stockholders representing the majority of the outstanding voting interests of the Company.
AssetMark, with around $117 billion of assets on its platform, provides technology solutions and services to independent financial advisors. The company supports over 9,300 financial advisors and more than 257,000 investor households.
The CEO of AssetMark, Michael Kim, remarked on the seven-year journey with Huatai Securities, the company's majority shareholder, and expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming partnership with GTCR, aiming to focus on product expansion and client service.
Collin Roche, Co-CEO and Managing Director at GTCR, acknowledged the growth of AssetMark during Huatai's ownership since 2016. Yi Zhou, CEO of Huatai Securities, highlighted the transaction's strong return to Huatai's shareholders.
The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Following the completion, AssetMark's common stock will be delisted from public markets.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) & Co. LLC and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as exclusive financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to AssetMark. GTCR received advisory from UBS Investment Bank and Barclays (LON:BARC), with additional financial advisory support from BofA Securities and Jefferies LLC. Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Paul Hastings LLP provided legal and regulatory counsel to GTCR.
The purchase will be funded through a credit facility and equity capital from funds affiliated with GTCR, without a financing condition to the closure of the transaction.
This news is based on a press release statement from AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. and GTCR.
InvestingPro Insights
As AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMK) prepares for its acquisition by GTCR, the company's financial health and market performance become focal points for both current and potential investors. According to the latest data from InvestingPro, AssetMark boasts a market capitalization of $2.6 billion, reflecting its substantial presence in the wealth management technology sector. The company's P/E ratio stands at 20.89, indicating a valuation that may be considered high in relation to its near-term earnings growth. However, the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 is slightly lower at 18.27.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that while AssetMark is trading at a high P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, hinting at potential optimism in the company's financial prospects. The company's liquid assets also exceed its short-term obligations, providing a cushion for operational flexibility. It is noteworthy that analysts predict AssetMark will be profitable this year, a continuation of its profitability over the last twelve months.
Investors may also take interest in the company's price performance, with a significant price uptick of 49.53% over the last six months. This robust performance is further highlighted by a year-to-date price total return of 16.53%, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the company's trajectory. It is important to note that AssetMark does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which could be a consideration for those seeking regular income from their investments.
For those looking to delve deeper into AssetMark's financials and market performance, InvestingPro offers a wealth of additional insights. In fact, there are numerous other InvestingPro Tips available for AMK, which can be accessed through InvestingPro. To enrich your investment strategy, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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