Financial Performance
Aveo Group acquired Freedom Aged Care Pty. Ltd. for a total consideration of $215.5 million (‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016). The annual report of AVEO Group indicated that the company acquired Freedom Aged Care based on its net book value. The netbook value reported on the balance sheet of Freedom Aged Care on 30 June 2015 (‘Aveo expands its development pipeline and deepens its care capability with the acquisition of Freedom’ 2016) was $116.6 million (‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016). It implies that Aveo Group recognized goodwill of $98.9 million on the acquisition of equity interest in Freedom Aged Care.
Table 1. Freedom Aged Care – Assets and Liabilities.
Freedom Aged Care’s assets were $404.1 million that included cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 million (‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016). The company’s poor cash position made it clear that it faced challenges and problems with cash management. It would have faced liquidity issues related to interest payments and repayment of resident loans of $169.4 million (‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016).
The company’s ability to generate high revenues depended on the effective and efficient management of 1,000 aged care centers. Moreover, the company had plans of setting up an additional 533 units across Australia (Hutchinson 2016). Aveo Group recognized its potential and approached the company’s management for acquiring 100% in the company’s equity. Freedom Aged Care’s operations generated revenue of $6.4 million in four months after acquisition by Aveo Group (‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016). It implies that the Aveo Group is likely to achieve its strategic objectives through the acquisition of Freedom Aged Care.
Conclusion
The report examines the decision of Aveo Group to acquire a 100% equity interest in Freedom Aged Care Pty. Ltd. Both companies are located in Australia, and they were competitors before the acquisition. Aveo Group had a better financial position than Freedom Aged Care, and it made it clear in its strategy statement in 2015 that it aimed to consolidate competition in the market by targeting other companies in Australia. The announcement was made on 17 February 2016.
The company’s decision had a positive impact on its share price, and it increased by 8%. The report investigates the acquisition and its details based on the review of literature related to mergers and acquisitions. It could be indicated that it was a friendly acquisition of Freedom Aged Care, and Aveo Group paid consideration much more than the net asset value of the acquired company. The analysis indicated that the net asset value of Freedom Aged Care was $116.6 million.
Aveo Group paid $215.5 million as it estimated the higher fair value of the company’s net assets. Also, the company paid the transaction cost for completing the acquisition. The strategic objectives of the Aveo Group included the expansion of its network in Australia and increased revenue. Although both companies followed different business models, the combination was expected to make Aveo’s position in the old age care market stronger. The recent annual report of Aveo Group indicates that the acquisition of Freedom Aged Care has contributed positively to the company’s revenues and profit. It is further suggested that the consolidation of operations will meet the increasing demand for aged care homes in Australia.
Reference List
‘Aveo expands its development pipeline and deepens its care capability with the acquisition of Freedom’ 2016, Aveo Group, Sydney.
‘Aveo Group: Annual Report 2016’ 2016, Aveo Group, Sydney.
Hutchinson, S 2016, ‘Aveo boosts reach with $300m Freedom Aged Care portfolio’, The Australian. Web.