Acquisition

RNS Number : 0177T

Experian plc

21 September 2010

 



news release

Acquisition of Mighty Net, Inc

21 September 2010 - Experian, the global information services company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Mighty Net, Inc (Mighty Net), a provider of online credit monitoring services to consumers. The purchase price is US$207.5m which will be funded from Experian's existing cash resources.

Business description

Founded in 1996, Mighty Net provides online services to US consumers interested in managing their credit behaviour. Mighty Net's key products include bureau reports, bureau scores, credit score tracking and credit file monitoring services, which are provided directly to consumers on a subscription basis. As at 30 June 2010, Mighty Net had approximately 680,000 subscribers in the US. Mighty Net's products are marketed online through its CreditReport.com, CreditScore.com and MyCreditScore.com websites.

Strategic rationale

Experian is the US leader in providing credit monitoring services directly to consumers through its Consumer Direct business. The acquisition of Mighty Net brings attractive consumer brands to Experian and further consolidates Experian's position in this market:

·     Mighty Net's core assets include the consumer marketing brands CreditReport.com, CreditScore.com and MyCreditScore.com, and are highly complementary to Experian's suite of credit monitoring brands, which include FreeCreditScore.com, FreeCreditReport.com and ProtectMyID.com. The acquisition broadens the base of consumer marketing brands, enabling Experian to benefit from more effective and efficient marketing spend.

·     In addition, Experian expects to increase revenue per Mighty Net member by applying the same successful marketing techniques used in its core Consumer Direct business to improve retention rates and upsell of additional products.

·     Experian expects to realise significant cost synergies in the areas of technology, infrastructure and back office functions. Experian estimates that, on an annualised basis, savings will reach approximately US$4m in the year to 31 March 2012 and US$5-6m in the year to 31 March 2013.

Financial performance

In the year to 31 December 2009, Mighty Net generated revenue of US$115m and EBIT of US$28m, with expected revenue growth of 10% in the year to 31 December 2010. Certain channels and lines of business at Mighty Net will be discontinued post acquisition, which will result in adjustment to revenue and EBIT going forward.  Pro forma revenue from continuing activities is expected to be c. US$105m in the year to 31 December 2010.

The structure of the transaction provides Experian with an opportunity to realise a cash tax benefit from the amortisation of the intangible goodwill generated on acquisition. Experian estimates that the net present value of this tax benefit will be approximately US$45-50m, equivalent to a net cash benefit of c. US$5m per annum for the next 15 years.

Mighty Net is 100% owned by its founders and the assets acquired will form part of Experian's North America Interactive division.

Contact

Experian

Nadia Ridout-Jamieson          Director of Investor Relations             [phone]

James Russell                        Public Relations Director

Finsbury

Rollo Head                                                                                          [phone]

Don Hunter

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2010 was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazil. 

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

 

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