The Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) share price is frozen as the company undergoes a capital raise to fund an acquisition worth as much as $350 million.
The Orica share price is halted at $17.20 at the time of writing.
It will remain that way until the company announces the completion of a $650 million placement or the market opens tomorrow.
Let's take a closer look at what's going on with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) materials company today.
Orica share price frozen amid acquisition cap raise
The Orica share price is in the freezer after the commercial blasting systems provider announced it's undergoing a $650 million placement and a share purchase plan worth up to $75 million to fund a major acquisition.
The ASX 200 company is snapping up Axis Mining Technology in a deal worth as much as $350 million.
Axis designs and manufactures specialised geospatial tools for the mining industry, making most of its money through reoccurring product rentals. It boasts a vertically integrated, scalable business with low capital intensity and attractive margins.
Orica believes the business will be a valuable addition to its digital solutions platform. It's also expected to position it to become the industry's first integrated, end-to-end, mine-to-mill solutions provider.
Orica will pay $260 million in cash to buy Axis.
The deal implies an acquisition multiple of 11.8 times financial year 2022 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding pro forma synergies.
It may also fork out another $90 million in earn-out payments. Those payments are subject to financial performance and certain key management remaining.
And in other Orica news today, the company also provided an update on its guidance.
Orica's earnings outlook for the 2022 financial year remains unchanged. However, it noted inflation, high energy costs, and supply chain issues will remain a challenge in financial year 2023.
Placement details
The $650 million placement will see new shares in Orica offered for $16 per share. That represents a 7% discount to the company's last trading price.
The share purchase plan offers shares for the placement price or a 2% discount to Orica shares' five-day volume weighted average price, whichever is lower.
The money raised will also fund incremental trade working capital requirements arising from global supply chain dislocations and strengthen the company's balance sheet.
Orica expects the acquisition and placement to be earnings per share (EPS) accretive from the first full year of ownership. The return on net assets contribution from the acquisition is expected to be between 10% and 12%.
What did management say?
Orica managing director and CEO Sanjeev Gandhi commented on today's news, saying:
I believe that Axis' differentiated geospatial tools and instruments, combined with our existing suite of digital solutions will provide compelling orebody intelligence to customers and support the delivery of the industry's first end-to-end solutions platform, from mine to mill.
