Ancora urges IAA to replace CEO or run sale process
IAA, Inc. (IAA) operates a digital marketplace that connects vehicle buyers and sellers. The company’s platform facilitates the marketing and sale of total loss, damaged, and low-value vehicles for a range of sellers. It provides buyers with various bidding/buying digital channels, vehicle merchandising, evaluation services and online bidding tools, and replacement part inventory.
Ancora Holdings Group, which beneficially owns approximately 2% of IAA’s outstanding common stock, sent a letter to the company’s board which stated in part,
“Given IAA’s underperformance and the fact that the Company’s market capitalization has plummeted by roughly 40% since reporting third quarter earnings in November 2021, the status quo cannot persist. We believe there are two strategic actions for the Board of Directors to consider at this point:
1. Replace Mr. Kett with a new CEO who is more dynamic and equipped to reinvigorate the organization. In our view, IAA needs a leader with a vision for achieving organic market share growth, improved margins and effective capital allocation.
2. If the Board is unwilling to act with urgency to improve leadership, it should run a formal sale process to sell the Company. ”
The activist added, “In light of IAA’s attractive attributes and business model, we anticipate the Company would obtain a significant premium relative to its current share price if taken private by one of the many well-capitalized potential acquirers in the marketplace.
We estimate a takeout price of $55 or more is achievable based on a trailing 12-month EBITDA of 15.5x and an analysis of peers’ valuations and precedent transactions.
2 At this point, a sale seems like the best risk-adjusted path forward for stockholders.”
IAA is up $2.51 to $38.83.
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