Informa Buys Clarion from Blackstone for £2.24 Billion

British events organizer Informa is buying Clarion from Blackstone for £2.24 billion, roughly $3 billion. Alongside the deal, the company plans to spin off its academic publishing division, Taylor & Francis. After that, Informa's core business will be focused on business events and professional markets.

Clarion organizes more than a hundred events a year, including the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, the DSEI defense industry exhibition, and the ICE gaming industry show in Barcelona.

Informa expects Clarion's revenue to exceed £575 million by 2027, with an operating profit margin above 30%. The company aims to save £50 million annually from combined operations.

To finance the deal, Informa will also issue roughly £940 million worth of new shares. The company estimates the acquisition will boost earnings per share by several percent in 2027, while return on invested capital will exceed 10% by 2029.

Source: investing.com