Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1) shares finished flat on Wednesday at $2.03 apiece.
Today's price action comes after the company announced that UK-based retail giant Frasers Group plc (LSE: FRAS) has taken a "strategic shareholding" in the company.
Let's see what the company posted.
Frasers Group steps in
Accent shares traded within a tight range today as the company informed the market about Frasers Group's strategic investment.
Frasers is the owner of numerous sports and premium brands. Some of these include House of Fraser, Flannels, Gieves and Hawkes, Everlast and Slazenger.
It acquired the interest in Accent from BBRC International Pte Ltd.
The group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, reported substantial revenue of 5.5 billion British Pounds in FY24.
Over the past five years, Frasers Group shares have increased by 244%. Accent shares have climbed 27% in the same time.
Accent has reportedly been in talks with Frasers "for some time" regarding a potential investment. It sees this as a partnership of sorts and has even offered Frasers a seat on the board.
Accent Group's CEO, Daniel Agostinelli, expressed enthusiasm about the new relationship:
We have been talking to Frasers Group for some time about a strategic relationship, and have been impressed by its management team and believe that there is a strong cultural alignment between both organisations. We see the potential for significant mutual opportunity with Frasers Group, and are excited by the beginning of this new relationship between the organisations.
The shake-up will also see long-serving board member Brett Blundy retire in due course, after a 7 year tenure.
Meanwhile, Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray outlined that Accent ticks all the boxes for businesses it wants as part of the group's global expansion:
This investment is an exciting step in the expansion of our international footprint, which is a key growth driver for the Group. Accent has built an incredible ecosystem of sports and lifestyle brands in Australia and New Zealand. We are looking forward to working with the Accent management team to unlock mutually beneficial opportunities for both groups.
Broker insights
The market reaction to Frasers Group's strategic stake was fairly muted today, with shares finishing flat, as noted.
However, brokers are bullish on Accent. Morgans rates Accent shares a buy with a price target of $2.40 apiece.
According to my colleague James, the broker believes the market's sell-off after Accent's FY24 earnings result was an overreaction and could have offered a good buying opportunity.
It says this is even more relevant considering Accent's potential earnings recovery in FY25. This, Morgans note, follows the closure of several loss-making stores operating under the Glue brand.
Meanwhile, the stock is rated a buy from consensus as well, according to CommSec.
Accent shares takeaway
Accent shares have finished flat today following a positive update that Frasers Group has taken a strategic stake in the company.
The long-term implications on Accent's stock price remain to be seen.
In the last 12 months, the stock is down 4%.
