Future - US Purch-ase

Future is taking a major step towards realising its US ambitions with the acquisition of Purch for $132.5m/£100.1m, fully funded by a rights issue of 3 new for 4 existing shares at 303p. The purchase fits neatly with Future’s existing media brands and tech-enabled culture and expands the US revenue base to around half of group (historic pro-forma). The purchase price represents 2.1x Purch’s CY17 revenues, 13.1x EBITDA, and management expects the transaction to be materially enhancing to earnings in its first full year, FY19. On the ex-rights price and indicative forecasts, the shares will be trading on an undeserved discount to peers.