Ziff Davis Announces Maturity Extension Transaction on a Portion of Its 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2026
July 10 2024 - 7:30AM
Business Wire
Ziff Davis, Inc. (f/k/a J2 Global, Inc.) (“Ziff Davis” or the
“Company”) (NASDAQ: ZD) today announced that it has entered into
separate, privately negotiated exchange agreements (the
“Exchange Agreements”) with a limited number of holders (the
“Holders”) of its 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026
(the “Existing Notes”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreements,
the Company will exchange (the “Exchange”) approximately
$401 million in aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes
for (i) approximately $263 million in aggregate principal amount of
new 3.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the “New
Notes”) and (ii) approximately $135 million in cash. The
Exchange is expected to settle on or about July 16, 2024, subject
to customary closing conditions. Participating Holders are
qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)
and/or institutional accredited investors.
Upon completion of the Exchange, the aggregate principal amount
of the Existing Notes outstanding will be approximately $149
million, and the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes
outstanding will be approximately $263 million. The Company will
not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the New Notes
pursuant to the Exchange.
The New Notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of
the Company and bear interest at a rate of 3.625% per annum,
payable semi-annually in arrears on September 1 and March 1 of each
year, beginning on March 1, 2025. The New Notes will mature on
March 1, 2028, unless earlier converted or repurchased. The
conversion rate for the New Notes will initially be 10 shares per
$1,000 principal amount of New Notes, which is equivalent to an
initial conversion price of $100 per share of the Company’s Common
Stock and is subject to adjustment under the terms of the New
Notes. Prior to December 1, 2027, the New Notes will be convertible
only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain
periods, and thereafter, the New Notes will be convertible at any
time until the close of business on the business day immediately
preceding the maturity date. Upon conversion of the New Notes, the
Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of
its Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of its Common
Stock, at the Company’s election. Holders of the New Notes will
have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or
any portion of their New Notes upon the occurrence of certain
corporate events, subject to certain conditions.
Neither the New Notes, nor any shares of the Company’s Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes, have been nor will
be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities
laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not
constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in
which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Ziff Davis
Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) is a vertically focused digital media
and internet company whose portfolio includes leading brands in
technology, shopping, gaming and entertainment, connectivity,
health and wellness, cybersecurity, and martech.
Forward-Looking Statements
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this
Press Release are “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements regarding the completion of the Exchange.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current
expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions,
risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
These factors and uncertainties include market conditions, the
satisfaction of certain closing conditions related to the Exchange,
and among other items: the Company’s ability to grow advertising,
licensing, and subscription revenues, profitability, and cash
flows, particularly in light of an uncertain U.S. or worldwide
economy, including the possibility of economic downturn or
recession; the Company’s ability to make interest and debt
payments; the Company’s ability to identify, close, and
successfully transition acquisitions; customer growth and
retention; the Company’s ability to create compelling content; its
reliance on third-party platforms; the threat of content piracy and
developments related to artificial intelligence; increased
competition and rapid technological changes; variability of the
Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular
industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s
proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of
intellectual property of others; the risk of losing critical
third-party vendors or key personnel; the risks associated with
fraudulent activity, system failure, or a security breach; risks
related to the Company’s ability to adhere to its internal controls
and procedures; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or
international regulatory environments, including but not limited to
the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; the
risks related to supply chain disruptions, inflationary conditions,
and rising interest rates; the risk of liability for legal and
other claims; and the numerous other factors set forth in the
Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and
uncertainties affecting the Company, refer to its most recent
Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports filed by the
Company from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available
at www.sec.gov. The Company may not consummate the Exchange as
described in this press release. The forward looking statements
included in this press release speak only as of the date of this
press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise
or update these statements.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240710545125/en/
Alan Steier Investor Relations Ziff Davis, Inc.
investor@ziffdavis.com Rebecca Wright Corporate Communications Ziff
Davis, Inc. press@ziffdavis.com
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