Boardriders to buy Australia's Billabong for about $155m

Australian surfwear seller Billabong International Ltd agreed to a buyout from its top shareholder and major lender Oaktree Capital Management LP on Friday, in a deal valuing the company at about A$197.7 million ($155 million).

The US private equity firm is betting on cost savings and a pick-up in consumer sentiment with its mid-summer buyout of the struggling firm, allowing it to bring brands such as RVCA, Element and Von Zipper into a portfolio already including Quicksilver, Roxy and DC Shoes.

Oaktree already holds 19% of Billabong and made the takeover offer through its majority-controlled sports-apparel business Boardriders Inc, formerly known as Quicksilver.

“It’s a difficult retail outlook, but it’s probably the perfect time to be picking it up at the bottom of the market - take the costs out, do some marketing and if consumers start spending, watch the stock run up,” market portfolio strategist at stockbroker Blue Ocean Equities Mathan Somasundaram said.

Oaktree, along with Capital Management LP, rescued Billabong in 2013 with a refinancing deal but the turn-around hit headwinds.

The company posted a A$77.1 million post-tax loss last year in the face of stagnant wage growth and tough competition from “fast fashion” retailers such as H & M and online vendors.

Billabong Chairman Ian Pollard said in a statement that while Billabong had made progress in recent years, it faced “ongoing risks and uncertainties”.

The Gold Coast-based company owed Oaktree and Centrebridge $172.2 million as at 30 June, according to the company’s annual report.

The bid price of A$1 per share represents a premium of 4.2% to Billabong’s closing price on Thursday and a 28.2% premium to the stock price before the offer was announced on December 1.

Billabong directors unanimously recommended the offer and shares jumped 2.86% to trade at A$0.99 in afternoon trade, suggesting traders believe the deal will receive shareholder support.

Boardriders, which is roughly 85% controlled by Oaktree, said its purchase would complement existing brands, allow for “deeper” partnerships with suppliers and back-office savings.

The buyout is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. Boardriders expects it will complete in the first half of 2018 and said the combined entity will be led by Oaktree Managing Director Dave Tanner.