HONG KONG SAR -
Media OutReach Newswire
- 28 October 2025 - A consortium comprising Centurium Capital, Temasek,
and True Light (the "Consortium"), and ANE (Cayman) Inc. ("ANE" or the
"Company", HKEX: 9956), China's leading less-than-truckload (LTL)
express freight operator, today jointly announced the proposal to delist
the Company from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by way of a scheme of
arrangement (the "Proposal").
The Consortium received the Irrevocable Undertakings ("IU") from the
Company's CEO Mr. Qin Xinghua and COO Mr. Jin Yun in support of the
Proposal. The Offeror Concert Parties hold in aggregate 35.74% of the
Company's total issued shares (excluding treasury shares).
The proposal sets out a Cash Alternative of HK$12.18 per share, valuing
the Company at approximately US$1.84 billion (or HK$14.3 billion) on an
equity value basis[1], a level the Company has not reached since
mid-November 2021. The Cash Alternative represents an attractive premium
of 48.54% over the closing price of HK$8.20 per Share on 3 September,
2025, being the Undisturbed Date, which was the last trading day prior
to when there were irregular trading volumes and price movements in the
Shares. The cancellation consideration will not be increased, and the
Offeror does not reserve the right to do so.
The Proposal provides an attractive opportunity for shareholders to monetize their investment in the Company at a price with a compelling premium, amid limited liquidity in the shares, and ongoing market risks and uncertainties.
The Cash Alternative of HK$12.18 per share represents:
- - a premium of approximately 48.54% over the Undisturbed Price of HK$8.20 per Share;
- - a premium of approximately 50.18% over the undisturbed 60-day average closing price of approximately HK$8.11 per Share;
- - a premium of approximately 48.18% over the undisturbed 90-day average closing price of approximately HK$8.22 per Share;
- - a premium of approximately 28.21% and 82.88% over the undisturbed 52-week high and 52-week low closing price; and
- - a premium of approximately 98.69% over the undisturbed 3-year average closing price of HK$6.13 per Share.
Since its IPO in 2021, the Company has faced macroeconomic and industry
challenges, including the global pandemic, economic headwinds, and
increased market competition. Despite successfully adapting its
operating strategies to achieve industry-leading profitability, the
share price has remained under pressure due to an unfavourable external
environment and low trading liquidity, making it a challenge for
shareholders to divest a substantial amount of the shares without a
significant discount through on-market transactions.
The Proposal presents shareholders with a unique opportunity to realize
their investments at an appealing premium and with certainty and
redirect the proceeds toward other investment options.
It is unlikely that shareholders will receive an alternative offer to realize value in their investments in the Company.
The Offeror Concert Parties collectively hold approximately 35.74% of
the issued shares. As any third party attempting to make an alternative
offer would need the Offeror Concert Parties' consent to dispose of
their stake in the Company, the possibility of a competing proposal is
remote.
The Proposal provides greater flexibility and efficiency for the Company in making longer-term business decisions.
The Company is facing great challenges and uncertainties in future
operations due to continued macroeconomic headwinds and intensifying
competition in the LTL freight industry. In order to maintain
competitiveness in the market, the Company needs to implement strategic
initiatives which may affect short-term financial performance. After the
completion of the Proposal, the Company will be free from the pressures
of the short-term capital market's expectations, share price
fluctuations and disclosure obligations as a privately-operated
business, thus better positioned to pursue strategic priorities with
greater flexibility and efficiency.
In addition, there are limited benefits in maintaining the Company's listing status, and delisting allows for greater focus on the core business.
As the price of the Shares has been under pressure since 2021 with
sluggish trading volume for most of the time, the ability of the Company
to raise funds through the equity market is significantly limited.
However, the Company has to incur administrative, compliance and other
listing related costs and expenses for maintaining the listing status,
and management must devote substantial time and effort to fulfilling
ongoing listing obligations. In light of the aforesaid, considering
associated costs and resources required, there are limited benefits for
the Company to maintain its listed status. The delisting will enable
immediate cost savings and a re-allocation of the Company's resources
toward its core business operations. This would enhance operational
efficiency and better support the Company's long-term development.
Intention to retain employees and implement long-term growth strategies
Upon completion of the Proposal, the Offeror plans to maintain ANE's
existing businesses, enhance synergies across its operations, pursue new
strategic and developmental opportunities, and execute long-term growth
strategies. The Offeror will also retain the Company's current
employees following the completion of the Proposal, except for changes
that may arise in the normal course of business.
Terms and timing of the Proposal
If the Proposal becomes effective, shareholders may elect either: (i)
the Cash Alternative, cash of HK$12.18 per Share, or (ii) the Share
Alternative; or (iii) a mix of cash and shares in a proportion of their
choosing.
The Proposal is subject to satisfaction of the Pre-Conditions by the
Pre-Conditions Long Stop Date (being 28 February, 2026) and the
Conditions by the Conditions Long Stop Date (being 30 June, 2026).
The Board of the Company (the "Board") has established an Independent
Board Committee (the "IBC"), comprising non-executive Directors and
Independent non-executive Directors to evaluate the Proposal and make a
recommendation to minority shareholders as to whether it is fair and
reasonable and as to voting.
The Board, with the approval of the IBC, has appointed Anglo Chinese
Corporate Finance, Limited as the Independent Financial Adviser (the
"IFA") to advise the IBC for the purposes of making a recommendation to
shareholders in connection with the Proposal.
The IBC's recommendation will be included in a composite scheme document to be jointly published by Offeror and the Company.
J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited is acting as the financial
adviser to the Offeror. Kirkland & Ellis is acting as legal counsel
to the Consortium in connection with the Proposal.
Additional information about the Proposal can be found in the 3.5
Announcement published on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Disclaimer
Statements in this communication relating to plans, strategies, specific
activities, and other statements that are not descriptions of
historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual
results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to
numerous factors. Forward looking statements are based on the current
beliefs and management's expectations and are subject to significant
risks and uncertainties outside of the control of the Company or the
Offeror. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company or the Offeror
does not undertake any obligation, and expressly disclaims any
obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking
statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
[1] Based on the Cash Alternative of HK$12.18 per share, 1,176,131,054 shares outstanding, and USD/HKD of 7.77