The Hansen Technologies Limited (ASX: HSN) share price is up 19% to $3.67 after the software billing provider announced it is to acquire rival software provider Sigma Systems for an enterprise value around CAD$157 million or A$116.7 million.
The deal is being priced on an EV/ EBITDA multiple of 8.3x Sigma's calendar year EBITDA adjusted for the fact it capitalises (rather than expenses) research and development costs. This can have the effect of artificially inflating EBITDA at a software business as costs are not taken upfront, but capitalised over a number of years.
Hansen will fund the deal with a bank debt facility underwritten by RBC Capital Markets worth up to A$225 million.
Sigma currently has more than 70 enterprise software customers worldwide with 56% of its revenues from North America, 29% from EMEA, and 15% from the Asia Pacific.
The acquisition is expected to be earnings per share accretive in FY20 excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles which you'd expect given it's being funded by bank debt that will admittedly incur significant new interest costs.
However, the market has probably sent the stock higher this morning as Hansen's management has a good track record of completing acquisitions without diluting the share base or blowing up capital.
Arguably the stock was also undervalued at below $3 in recent months.
