HONG KONG - iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK), a notable enterprise and marketing cloud platform in China, announced today the sale of its mainland China demand side marketing solutions business to SiAct Inc. for RMB1 million. This move is part of iClick's strategic plan to divest from lower-margin, higher-risk operations and refocus on areas with better profitability and operational efficiency.
The sale, referred to as the Disposal, is in line with iClick's efforts to adapt to the changing economic landscape, which has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent advertising market slowdown in mainland China. The company aims to allocate resources towards higher-margin services and achieve a more balanced risk profile, which is expected to enhance shareholder value.
As part of the transition, iClick will provide a six-month loan of RMB20 million to the business being sold, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. This loan will be secured by the accounts receivables of the disposed business. Additionally, iClick has committed to repaying approximately US$35 million in outstanding loans from three banks to the disposed business within six months post-agreement execution.
The Disposal is subject to approval from iClick's shareholders, with an annual general meeting scheduled for September 30, 2024, to seek this approval. The completion of the sale is not guaranteed, as it is contingent upon meeting certain conditions. The agreement between iClick and SiAct Inc. may be terminated if the Disposal does not close within 90 days of the agreement's execution or by mutual consent.
iClick's board of directors has received a fairness opinion from independent financial advisor Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) (China) Limited, confirming the financial fairness of the Disposal's terms. Both the audit committee and the board have approved the agreement and the related transactions.
Following the Disposal, iClick will continue operating its supply-side marketing solutions in mainland China and its marketing and enterprise solutions businesses in Hong Kong and overseas.
This report is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, there have been several significant developments at iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited. The company recently announced the appointment of Mr. Winson Ip Wing Wai as a new independent director and chairperson of the audit committee, replacing Mr. Matthew Fong. Mr. Ip brings with him over two decades of experience in financial and operational management, compliance, ESG management, investment, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, accounting, and auditing.
The company also disclosed an operational adjustment, although the specifics of the adjustment were not detailed. Such adjustments often indicate significant shifts in business strategy or operations. iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited has also received a Nasdaq compliance warning for failing to file its 2023 annual report on time. The company now has a 60-day window to present a plan to regain compliance, with the possibility of an extension up to 180 days.
In addition to these changes, iClick has appointed Ms. Josephine Ngai Yuk Chun as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Mr. David Zhang, who will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the company. These recent developments underscore the evolving situation within iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited.
InvestingPro Insights
As iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK) pivots its business strategy through the sale of its mainland China demand side marketing solutions, it's insightful to look at the company's financial health and market performance. Notably, iClick holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a positive sign for investors looking for financial stability, especially during strategic transitions like the current divestiture.
However, investors should be aware of the company's cash burn rate. iClick is quickly burning through cash, which could impact its ability to sustain operations without additional financing or revenue streams. This aligns with the company's strategic move to focus on higher-margin services, which could potentially mitigate this cash burn over time.
Looking at the real-time data from InvestingPro, iClick has a market capitalization of $28.8 million USD, suggesting a relatively small player in the industry. The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 stands at $133.22 million USD, but it has experienced a decline of 21.21% during that period. This revenue contraction could be a factor in the decision to sell part of the business and streamline operations. Additionally, with a negative operating income margin of -28.2% for the same period, it underscores the importance of iClick's strategic refocus towards profitability.
InvestingPro Tips also highlight that iClick is trading at a low revenue valuation multiple, which may attract investors looking for undervalued opportunities. Moreover, the stock has shown strong return over the last three months, with a 121.88% price total return, indicating potential investor optimism about the company's future despite recent challenges.
For those interested in further insights and tips, InvestingPro provides additional information on iClick, including more detailed financial metrics and analysis. There are a total of 12 InvestingPro Tips available for iClick, which can be found at https://www.investing.com/pro/ICLK.
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