Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) and
Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN) today announced steps
towards enhancing BAM’s corporate structure and positioning BAM for
broader equity index inclusion, particularly those in the U.S.
As part of this effort, BAM has now changed its
head office to New York. In addition, BAM and BN have entered into
an agreement whereby BAM would own and reflect 100% of the asset
management business (the “Arrangement”), and BN’s current 73%
interest in the asset management business would be held directly
through ownership of approximately 73% of the publicly traded
shares of BAM.
The Arrangement will not result in any changes
to the operations or strategic plans of BAM or BN and will have no
effect on the tax treatment of their respective dividends.
BAM expects to hold a special meeting (the
“Meeting”) for shareholders to consider and vote on the Arrangement
on December 20, 2024. If approved at the Meeting, the Arrangement
is expected to close in early 2025, subject to court approval and
other customary closing conditions, including NYSE and TSX listing
approvals.
Benefits of the Arrangement
The Arrangement simplifies the corporate
structure of the asset management business, making it easier for
investors to understand and value the security. It will also enable
BAM’s market capitalization to accurately reflect the total value
of the asset management business. Today, that would be
approximately $85 billion based on the current stock price of the
BAM Class A Shares, compared to BAM’s current market capitalization
of approximately $23 billion, which reflects only 27% of the asset
management business.
Broader index inclusion is expected to drive
increased ownership of the Class A Shares by passive institutional
investors, who collectively manage trillions of dollars in capital.
Further, inclusion in the most widely followed indices is expected
to increase BAM’s visibility among a much broader universe of
active public investors who benchmark against these indices.
Arrangement Details
Under the terms of the Arrangement, BAM will
acquire approximately 73% of the outstanding common shares (“Common
Shares”) of Brookfield Asset Management ULC (“Asset Management
Company”) from BN and certain of its subsidiaries as part of the
Arrangement. The Asset Management Company owns and operates
Brookfield’s leading global alternative asset management
business.
BAM will issue Class A Shares to BN in exchange
for all of the Common Shares currently owned by BN and its
subsidiaries on a one-for-one basis. As part of the Arrangement,
BAM’s articles will also be amended to ensure that BN controls BAM
for as long as it holds a majority of its voting shares.
The consummation of the Arrangement is subject
to a number of conditions contained in the arrangement agreement
(the “Agreement”), including, among others, the approval of a
special resolution (the “Arrangement Resolution”) by: (i) at least
two-thirds of votes cast by holders of Class A Shares; (ii) at
least two-thirds of votes cast by holders of Class B Limited Voting
Shares of BAM; and (iii) a simple majority of the votes cast by
holders of Class A Shares (other than Class A Shares held, directly
or indirectly, by an “interested party” within the meaning of
Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security
Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) or otherwise required
to be excluded under the requirements of MI 61-101) (the “BAM
Public Shareholders”), in each case, at the Meeting.
BN has applied to the Ontario Securities
Commission, as principal regulator, for exemptive relief (the
“Exemptive Relief”) pursuant to section 9.1 of MI 61-101 and
Multilateral Instrument 11-102 – Passport System from the
requirements of sections 5.4 and 5.6 of MI 61-101 applicable to BN
to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval of
the Arrangement. If the Exemptive Relief is granted, BN does not
intend to seek shareholder approval or obtain a formal valuation in
respect of the Arrangement.
Formal Valuation and Fairness
Opinion
In connection with its review of the
Arrangement, the Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee
(the “BAM GNCC”) of the board of directors of BAM (the “BAM Board”)
selected KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as independent valuator and requested
that KPMG prepare a formal valuation in accordance with MI 61-101
and a fairness opinion. KPMG delivered its report concluding that,
as of October 31, 2024, based on the scope of its review, and
subject to the assumptions and limitations set forth therein, (i)
the fair market value range of the Common Shares of the Asset
Management Company was in the range of $46.35 to $51.67 per Common
Share and the fair market value of the Class A Shares was in the
range of $46.43 to $51.63 per Class A Share as at October 31, 2024,
and (ii) the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view,
to the BAM Public Shareholders.
BAM GNCC and BAM Board
Approval
The review and assessment of the Arrangement was
conducted under the supervision of the BAM GNCC in accordance with
its charter, which authorizes the BAM GNCC to, among other things,
review and conduct oversight of all significant proposed related
party transactions and situations involving a potential conflict of
interest that are not required to be dealt with by an “independent
special committee” pursuant to applicable securities laws.
The BAM GNCC, having undertaken a thorough
review of, and having carefully considered the terms of, the
Arrangement, the Agreement and a number of other factors, and after
receiving independent advice, including KPMG’s formal valuation and
fairness opinion, has unanimously determined that the Arrangement
is in the best interests of BAM and unanimously recommended that
the BAM Board determine that the Arrangement is in the best
interests of BAM, approve the Arrangement and recommend that the
shareholders vote in favor of the Arrangement at the Meeting.
The BAM Board (with Mr. Bruce Flatt, CEO of both
BAM and BN, abstaining) based on, among other things, the
recommendation of the BAM GNCC, unanimously: (i) determined that
the Arrangement is in the best interests of BAM, (ii) approved
the Arrangement; and, accordingly, (iii) recommends that BAM
shareholders vote for the Arrangement Resolution at the
Meeting.
A copy of the Agreement will be available on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Additional
information regarding the terms of the Agreement, the background of
the Arrangement and the independent valuation and fairness opinion
will be provided in the information circular for the Meeting, which
will also be filed by BAM on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on
EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
About Brookfield Asset
Management
Brookfield Asset Management is a leading global
alternative asset manager with approximately $1 trillion of assets
under management across renewable power and transition,
infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit. BAM
invests client capital for the long-term with a focus on real
assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of
the global economy. BAM offers a range of alternative investment
products to investors around the world — including public and
private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth
funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private
wealth investors. BAM draws on Brookfield’s heritage as an owner
and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for
its clients, across economic cycles.
About Brookfield
Corporation
Brookfield Corporation is a leading global
investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for
institutions and individuals around the world. BN has three core
businesses: Alternative Asset Management, Wealth Solutions, and its
Operating Businesses which are in renewable power, infrastructure,
business and industrial services, and real estate.
BN has a track record of delivering 15%+
annualized returns to shareholders for over 30 years, supported by
its unrivaled investment and operational experience. BN’s
conservatively managed balance sheet, extensive operational
experience, and global sourcing networks allow it to consistently
access unique opportunities. At the center of BN’s success is the
Brookfield Ecosystem, which is based on the fundamental principle
that each group within Brookfield benefits from being part of the
broader organization. Brookfield Corporation is publicly traded in
New York and Toronto (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN).
For more information, please visit BAM’s website
at www.bam.brookfield.com or BN’s website at www.bn.brookfield.com
or contact:
Media:Kerrie McHughTel: (212) 618-3469Email:
kerrie.mchugh@brookfield.com |
BAM Investor Relations:Jason FooksTel: (212)
417-2442Email: jason.fooks@brookfield.comBN Investor
Relations:Linda NorthwoodTel: (416) 359-8647Email:
linda.northwood@brookfield.com |
|
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Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities
laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933,
the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, “safe harbor”
provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities
regulations (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).
Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive
in nature, depend upon or refer to future results, events or
conditions, and include, but are not limited to, statements which
reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs and assumptions and
which are in turn based on our experience and perception of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors management believes are
appropriate in the circumstances. The estimates, beliefs and
assumptions of BAM and BN are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties
and contingencies regarding future events and as such, are subject
to change. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by
words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “foresee”,
“could”, “estimate”, “goal”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “strive”,
“will”, “may” and “should” and similar expressions. In particular,
the forward-looking statements contained in this press release
include statements referring to BAM’s and BN’s beliefs as to the
completion and timing of the Arrangement, BAM’s potential inclusion
in global stock indices and other expected impacts of the
Arrangement. Factors that could cause actual results, performance,
achievements or events to differ from current expectations include,
among others, risks and uncertainties related to: obtaining
approvals, rulings, court orders and consents, or satisfying other
requirements, necessary or desirable to permit or facilitate
completion of the Arrangement (including regulatory and shareholder
approvals); future factors that may arise making it inadvisable to
proceed with, or advisable to delay, all or part of the
Arrangement; and business cycles, including general economic
conditions.
Certain risks and uncertainties specific to the
proposed Arrangement will be further described in the management
information circular to be mailed to BAM shareholders in advance of
the Meeting. Other factors, risks and uncertainties not presently
known to BAM or BN or that BAM and BN currently believe are not
material could also cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by statements containing
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on statements containing forward-looking statements
that are included in this press release, which are made as of the
date of this press release, and not to use such information for
anything other than their intended purpose. BAM and BN disclaim any
obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Early Warning Disclosure
This press release is being issued pursuant to
National Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related
Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues (“NI 62-103”), which
requires a report to be filed under BAM’s profile on SEDAR+
(www.sedarplus.com) containing additional information respecting
the foregoing matters. BAM’s head office address is 250 Vesey
Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York, 10281-0221, United
States.
BN has filed on SEDAR+ an early warning report
in compliance with NI 62-103 to disclose changes in its ownership
of securities of BAM as a result of the Arrangement.
BN holds Class A Shares for investment purposes.
BN has no definitive plans or future intentions as of the date of
this press release that relate to, or would result in, acquiring
additional securities of BAM, disposing of securities of BAM, or
any of the other actions enumerated in paragraphs (a) through (k)
of Item 5 of BN’s early warning report filed on SEDAR+. BN will
continue to review its investment alternatives and may acquire
additional Class A Shares or other securities of BAM or may,
subject to market conditions, applicable securities laws and other
relevant factors, sell Class A Shares or other securities of BAM it
now holds in the open market (where such a market exists) or in
privately negotiated transactions to one or more persons in
accordance with the provisions of applicable securities
legislation.
For further information, including a copy of the
corresponding report filed with Canadian securities regulators,
please visit www.sedarplus.ca or contact the office of the
Corporate Secretary of Brookfield Corporation at Brookfield Place,
Suite 100, 181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2T3,
Telephone: (416) 363-9491.
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