Property portal Rightmove has confirmed listed Australian company REA Group is considering a ‘possible cash and share offer’ for the business – the value of which could be as much as £4.4bn according to reports.
In a statement published today (2nd September) REA has said there are ‘clear similarities between REA and Rightmove in terms of their leading market positions in the core residential business, continued expansion and innovation of offerings across adjacent segments, leading audience share and strong brand awareness, as well as highly aligned cultural values.’
REA Group, which is part of News Corp, already operates the largest property listing portals across residential and commercial property in Australia – realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au; adding the opportunity to acquire Rightmove would see a ‘transformational opportunity to apply its globally leading capabilities and expertise to enhance customer and consumer value across the combined portfolio and to create a global and diversified digital property company, with number 1 positions in Australia and the UK.‘
No offer has been made and the group have until the end of September to formalise their interest.
Rightmove was launched in 2000 by estate agency corporates Countrywide, Connells, Halifax and Royal and Sun Alliance. Listing a property was initially free with charging introduced in 2002 and the website quickly gained traction with consumers and agents. By 2004 the website was generating 1m daily webpage views and had c.50% market share. It was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2006.
REA says it has a long history of growth and demonstrable track record in cultivating globally leading platforms that ‘have transformed the way people experience property.’ It is eyeing Rightmove’s ‘strong margins and significant cash generation‘ which would ‘provide a significant opportunity to unlock shareholder value‘ were any deal to be done.
Rightmove Statement in Full
Statement Regarding Rightmove plc
Further to press speculation in relation to a possible offer by REA for London Stock Exchange listed Rightmove plc (“Rightmove”), REA confirms that it is considering a possible cash and share offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rightmove. REA has not approached, nor had any discussions with, Rightmove regarding any potential offer, and makes this announcement in accordance with the requirements of the Code.
The REA Board believes that there are clear similarities between REA and Rightmove in terms of their leading market positions in the core residential business, continued expansion and innovation of offerings across adjacent segments, leading audience share and strong brand awareness, as well as highly aligned cultural values.
REA sees a transformational opportunity to apply its globally leading capabilities and expertise to enhance customer and consumer value across the combined portfolio and to create a global and diversified digital property company, with number 1 positions in Australia and the UK.
The REA Board believes the enlarged group would represent a highly attractive investment opportunity for both REA and Rightmove shareholders, combining robust growth with strong margins and significant cash generation, enabling continued capital appreciation and shareholder returns. REA therefore considers that a combination of the two businesses would provide a significant opportunity to unlock shareholder value.
REA has a long history of growth and has demonstrated a track record of building businesses over decades to create globally leading platforms that have transformed the way people experience property. With an acquisition of Rightmove, REA would look to enhance the UK property experience for buyers, sellers and renters, supporting Rightmove’s vision “to give everyone the belief they can make their move” while positively contributing to the property market ecosystem with investment and innovation.
There can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer may be made. REA shareholders do not need to take any action at this time.
Rule 2.6(a) of the Code requires that REA must, by no later than 5.00 p.m. (London time) on 30 September 2024, being the 28th day following the date of this announcement, either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Rightmove in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Rightmove, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel, in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.
In accordance with Rule 2.5(a) of the Code, REA reserves the right to introduce other forms of consideration and / or vary the mix or composition of consideration of any offer.
In the interests of secrecy prior to this announcement, REA has not made any enquiries of certain parties who may be deemed by the Takeover Panel to be acting in concert with REA in order to determine whether REA would be obliged to offer any minimum level, or particular form, of consideration under Rule 6 or Rule 11 of the Code. Enquiries of such parties will be made as soon as practicable following the date of this announcement and any disclosure in respect of such parties will be made in a further announcement.
A further announcement will be made in due course.
The release of this announcement was authorised by the Disclosure Committee
