Imax China Shareholders Vote Down $124M Buyout

A proposed $124 million deal by Imax to amass a 28.5 p.c stake in its Shanghai-based Imax China unit that it doesn’t already personal has been voted down by shareholders.

On Tuesday, the cinema applied sciences firm stated an Oct. 9 extraordinary common assembly led to shareholders voting 70 p.c of the buyout proposal, which didn’t meet a required threshold for approval.

“Whereas disappointing, the vote demonstrates that shareholders consider, as we do, that the way forward for Imax China is brilliant. We’re dedicated to our enterprise in China and our staff will proceed to create new progress alternatives for the Imax model and know-how on this important marketplace for blockbuster leisure,” Imax CEO Richard Gelfond stated in a press release after the vote.

Imax at the moment has round 770 branded industrial places in China, probably the most of any market worldwide and a key element of its worldwide enlargement exterior of North America.

The failed proposal to take 100% management of Imax China would have seen the Toronto-based dad or mum purchase 96.3 million shares at the moment buying and selling on the Hong Kong Inventory Alternate in a deal valued at $124 million in money, or HK$10 per share.

Imax argued within the run-up to the Oct. 9 vote that the depressed Imax China unit inventory worth was attributable to low curiosity by institutional buyers in China reacting to slowing financial progress and consumption spending within the wider economic system. 

Imax stated round 61 p.c of the full shares of Imax China widespread inventory, or these held by buyers not capable of instantly affect firm selections, have been voted.

Gelfond added Imax will “discover alternatives to deploy the incremental capital meant for this transaction by way of alternate means of making shareholder worth,” together with doable share repurchases of shares within the firm.