LOS ANGELES–AECOM (NYSE:ACM), the world’s premier infrastructure firm, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its Management Services (MS) business to affiliates of American Securities LLC and Lindsay Goldberg for a purchase price of $2.405 billion, which reflects an 11.6x multiple on expected fiscal 2019 adjusted EBITDA1 and a premium to AECOM’s overall valuation. Included in the purchase price is contingent purchase price of approximately $150 million. The sale of the MS business marks the completion of a robust dual-track process that began with the Company’s June 17th separation announcement.
Strategic and Financial Benefits
The sale of the MS business at a premium valuation unlocks significant value sooner than was anticipated through the previously-announced planned spin-off and creates certainty for all stakeholders.
- Expected transaction proceeds and record fourth quarter fiscal 2019 free cash flow2 equate to approximately 50% of the Company’s market capitalization based on the closing price of AECOM’s stock on October 11th.
- The Company expects to substantially reduce its debt and to execute stock repurchases and maintains its long-term net leverage3 target of 2.0x – 2.5x.
- With this transaction and the ongoing execution of strategic actions to de-risk the business and increase margins, AECOM will be a lower-risk, higher-returning professional services firm focused on its industry-leading design, planning, architecture, engineering, program management and construction management capabilities.
- The resulting professional services business is expected to generate high returns on capital and consistently strong free cash flow, which the Company intends to deploy towards stock repurchases under its existing $1 billion repurchase authorization.
Preliminary Fiscal 2019 Results and Fiscal 2020 Outlook
AECOM expects fiscal 2019 adjusted EBITDA1 and adjusted EPS1 to approximate the mid-point of the Company’s prior guidance range, which would reflect approximately $940 million and $2.75, respectively.
- The Company expects record fiscal fourth quarter free cash flow2 and to achieve its fiscal 2019 guidance for free cash flow of at least $600 million, which resulted in substantial debt reduction in the fourth quarter.
- The Company also is announcing fiscal 2020 adjusted EBITDA1 guidance of between $1,040 million and $1,080 million, reflecting 13% year-over-year growth at the mid-point.
- On a pro-forma4 adjusted1 basis, which comprises the Design & Consulting Service, Construction Management and AECOM Capital businesses, the Company expects fiscal 2020 EBITDA of between $720 million and $760 million, which represents industry-leading 17% year-over-year growth at the mid-point of the range.
- In addition, the Company reiterated its expectation for an at least 8% adjusted operating margin1 in the DCS segment in fiscal 2020, which translates to an approximately 11.5% adjusted operating margin on a net service revenue (NSR) basis.
- AECOM expects to report fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2019 earnings results on November 12, 2019, at which time the Company will provide additional information on its financial results and outlook.
“We are extremely pleased with today’s transformative and value-enhancing announcement, which significantly accelerates our planned debt reduction and commitment to repurchase stock,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We have been on a deliberate course to maximize the value of our industry-leading franchises since 2017. In close consultation with our Board and strategic advisors, we formalized our capital allocation policy that prioritizes debt reduction and stock repurchases, executed on a substantial cost reduction plan that is expected to expand DCS margins by 210 basis points from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2020, and are taking other actions to de-risk our business to create an industry-leading professional services platform with consistently high returns. Today’s announcement follows an extensive portfolio review focused on value creation and is among the largest opportunities we have been pursuing. With this significant milestone and our ongoing portfolio transformation, we have established one of the world’s premier infrastructure firms that is poised to capitalize on sizable demand and deliver long-term value for our employees, clients and shareholders.”
“With this transaction and expected record fourth quarter free cash flow, our balance sheet will be strengthened and we will have greater flexibility to deploy capital in the future,” added Troy Rudd, AECOM’s chief financial officer. “We ended fiscal 2019 with momentum across our higher-returning and lower-risk professional services businesses, supporting our expectation for 17% pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth at the mid-point of fiscal 2020 guidance.”
John C. Vollmer, president of AECOM’s Management Services group, and the existing management team will continue to lead the business. Mr. Vollmer commented, “This transaction is a testament to our proven execution ability in complex, mission-critical situations globally, and the hard work and commitment of our talented employees. American Securities and Lindsay Goldberg have impressive track records of building lasting value for their portfolio companies, particularly in the government services sector. I am confident that this world-class investor group has the resources and expertise that will enable us to accelerate our innovation and future growth.”
Capital Allocation
Proceeds from the MS divestiture and expected record fourth quarter fiscal 2019 free cash flow2 are planned to be used to reduce debt and to repurchase stock while maintaining a long-term net leverage3 of between 2.0x and 2.5x. Reflecting confidence in the value created by its strategic actions and the growth opportunities apparent in its professional services businesses, the Company will continue to prioritize stock repurchases upon achieving its leverage targets, and has approximately $750 million of remaining capacity under the existing $1 billion Board authorization.
Transaction Details, Approvals and Time to Close
The sale of the MS business has been unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The definitive purchase agreement includes customary cash, debt and working capital adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of fiscal 2020.
Conference Call
AECOM will host a conference call today at 8 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. Interested parties can listen to the conference call and view accompanying slides via webcast. The webcast will be available for replay following the call. The conference call can be accessed directly by dialing 833-231-8276 (U.S. or Canada) or 647-253-8791 (international) and entering passcode 1143607.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and DBO Partners LLC are serving as financial advisors and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is serving as legal advisor to American Securities and Lindsay Goldberg.
1 Excluding acquisition and integration related items, transaction-related expenses, financing charges in interest expense, foreign exchange gains, the amortization of intangible assets, financial impacts associated with expected and actual dispositions of non-core businesses and assets, restructuring costs and the revaluation of deferred taxes and the one-time tax repatriation charge associated with U.S. tax reform.
2 Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures net of proceeds from disposals.
3 Net debt-to-EBITDA, or net leverage, is comprised of EBITDA as defined in the Company’s credit agreement, which excludes stock-based compensation, and net debt as defined as total debt on the Company’s financial statements, net of cash and cash equivalents.
4 Comprised of the Company’s Design & Consulting Services, Construction Management and AECOM Capital businesses, and excludes expected stranded costs associated with planned separations and divestitures that are expected to be eliminated.
About AECOM
AECOM (NYSE:ACM) is the world’s premier infrastructure firm, delivering professional services across the project lifecycle – from planning, design and engineering to consulting and construction management. We partner with our clients in the public and private sectors to solve their most complex challenges and build legacies for generations to come. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, governments, energy and the environment, our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with revenue of approximately $20.2 billion during fiscal year 2018.
About American Securities
Based in New York with an office in Shanghai, American Securities is a leading U.S. private equity firm that invests in market-leading North American companies with annual revenues generally ranging from $200 million to $2 billion and/or $50 million to $250 million of EBITDA. American Securities and its affiliates have approximately $23 billion under management.
About Lindsay Goldberg
Lindsay Goldberg is a private investment firm that focuses on partnering with families, founders and management teams seeking to actively build their businesses. Founded in 2001, Lindsay Goldberg’s relationship-driven approach is centered upon a collaborative investment model and supported by its global network of affiliate partners.
