China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co., Ltd. and Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE: GNW) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which China Oceanwide has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Genworth for a total transaction value of approximately $2.7 billion, or $5.43 per share in cash. The acquisition will be completed through Asia Pacific Global Capital Co. Ltd., one of China Oceanwide's investment platforms. The transaction is subject to approval by Genworth's stockholders as well as other closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
As part of the transaction, China Oceanwide has additionally committed to contribute to Genworth $600 millionof cash to address the debt maturing in 2018, on or before its maturity, as well as $525 million of cash to the U.S. life insurance businesses. This contribution is in addition to $175 million of cash previously committed by Genworth Holdings, Inc. to the U.S. life insurance businesses. Separately, Genworth also announced today preliminary charges unrelated to this transaction of $535 to $625 million after-tax associated with long term care insurance (LTC) claim reserves and taxes. Those items are detailed in a separate press release. The China Oceanwide transaction is expected to mitigate the negative impact of these charges on Genworth's financial flexibility and facilitate its ability to complete its previously announced U.S. life insurance restructuring plan. Genworth believes this transaction is the best strategic alternative to maximize stockholder value.
James Riepe, non-executive chairman of the Genworth Board of Directors said, "The China Oceanwide transaction is the result of an active and extensive review process conducted over the past two years under the supervision of the Board and with guidance from external financial and legal advisors. The Board is confident that the sale of the company to China Oceanwide is the best path forward for Genworth's stockholders."
Upon the completion of the transaction, Genworth will be a standalone subsidiary of China Oceanwide and Genworth's senior management team will continue to lead the business from its current headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. Genworth intends to maintain its existing portfolio of businesses, including its MI businesses in Australia and Canada. Genworth's day-to-day operations are not expected to change as a result of this transaction.
China Oceanwide is a privately held, family owned international financial holding group founded by Mr. Lu Zhiqiang. Headquartered in Beijing, China, China Oceanwide's well-established and diversified businesses include operations in financial services, energy, culture and media, and real estate assets globally, including in the United States. Businesses controlled by China Oceanwide have more than 10,000 employees globally.
"Genworth is an established leader in both mortgage insurance and long term care insurance, which are markets that present significant long-term growth opportunities," added Mr. Lu, Chairman of China Oceanwide. "We are impressed by Genworth's purpose and its focus on helping people manage the financial challenges of aging as well as achieving the dream of homeownership. In acquiring Genworth and contributing $1.1 billion of additional capital, we are providing crucial financial support to Genworth's efforts to restructure its U.S. life insurance businesses by unstacking Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (GLAIC) from under Genworth Life Insurance Company (GLIC) and address its 2018 debt maturity. In order to close the transaction and achieve these objectives, we have structured the transaction with the intention of increasing the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval."
Tom McInerney, President & Chief Executive Officer of Genworth concluded, "We believe that this transaction creates greater and more certain stockholder value than our current business plan or other strategic alternatives, and is in the best interests of Genworth's stockholders. China Oceanwide is an ideal owner for Genworth going forward. They recognize the strength of our mortgage insurance platform and the importance of long term care insurance in addressing an aging population. The capital commitment from China Oceanwide will strengthen our business and increase the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval."
Genworth will continue to focus on its key financial priorities, including strengthening the balance sheet and stabilizing and improving ratings over time, particularly in its U.S. MI business. Genworth will also continue to focus on its key operational priorities, most notably executing its multi-year LTC rate action plan, which is essential to stabilizing the financial position of the legacy LTC business. China Oceanwide has no current intention or future obligation to contribute additional capital to support Genworth's legacy LTC business.
The transaction, which has been approved by both companies' boards of directors, is expected to close by the middle of 2017, subject to the requisite approval by Genworth's stockholders as well as certain other closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. Both China Oceanwide and Genworth have initiated discussions with regulators in key jurisdictions.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Lazard are acting as financial advisors to Genworth. Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP are acting as legal advisors to Genworth, and Richards, Layton & Finger is acting as legal advisor to the Genworth Board of Directors. Citi and Willis Capital Markets & Advisory are acting as financial advisors to China Oceanwide and Sullivan & Cromwell and Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP are acting as legal advisors to China Oceanwide.
About China Oceanwide
China Oceanwide is a privately held, family owned international financial holding group founded by Mr. Lu Zhiqiang. Headquartered in Beijing, China, China Oceanwide's well-established and diversified businesses include operations in financial services, energy, culture and media, and real estate assets globally, including in the United States.
China Oceanwide is the controlling shareholder of the Shenzhen-listed Oceanwide Holdings Co., Ltd. and Minsheng Holdings Co. Ltd.; the Hong Kong-listed China Oceanwide Holdings Limited; the privately-held Minsheng Securities, Minsheng Trust, and Asia-Pacific Property & Casualty Insurance; and it is the single largest shareholder of Australia-listed CuDECO Ltd. China Oceanwide also is a minority investor in Shanghai-listed China Minsheng Bank and Hong Kong-listed Legend Holdings. In the United States, China Oceanwide has real estate investments in New York, California, and Hawaii. Businesses controlled by China Oceanwide have more than 10,000 employees globally.
About Genworth Financial
Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE: GNW) is a Fortune 500 insurance holding company committed to helping families achieve the dream of homeownership and address the financial challenges of aging through its leadership positions in MI and LTC. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Genworth traces its roots back to 1871 and became a public company in 2004. For more information, visit genworth.com.
