VIAVI’s Binding Proposal represents a 33 ⅓% or US$2.00 per share premium to the current Going Private Transaction
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 20, 2021 — Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced an increased binding proposal (the “Proposal”) to acquire all of the outstanding subordinate voting shares and multiple voting shares of EXFO Inc. (TSX: EXF) (NASDAQ: EXFO) (“EXFO”) from US$7.50 to US$8.00 in cash per share. VIAVI has submitted a binding proposal to the EXFO board of directors, including a definitive form of Arrangement Agreement based substantially on the form agreed in connection with the proposed going private transaction between EXFO and its chairman and majority shareholder, Germain Lamonde (the “Going Private Transaction”). The increased binding proposal from VIAVI reflects EXFO’s recently announced fiscal third quarter 2021 financial results in which bookings increased 47.2% year-on-year to US$87 million with a book-to-bill ratio at 1.20. EXFO’s business strength reflects both a macroeconomic recovery and secular industry growth demand driven by 5G wireless and fiber network deployment. EXFO’s strong results and future prospects further underpin the inadequate US$6.00 consideration of the Going Private Transaction.
Increased Binding Proposal from VIAVI Provides Greater Value for EXFO Shareholders
VIAVI’s Proposal now values EXFO at approximately US$459 million on an undiluted basis and represents a significant premium of:
- 116% to the NASDAQ closing price on June 4, 2021, the trading day before the announcement of the Going Private Transaction;
- 33 ⅓% to the US$6.00 consideration offer under the Going Private Transaction; and
- 6.7% to VIAVI’s previous already-superior proposal to acquire EXFO.
Additionally, VIAVI’s Proposal is higher than the US$5.75 to US$7.50 formal valuation range of EXFO’s subordinate voting shares prepared by TD Securities Inc., acting as the EXFO Special Committee’s own valuator in connection with the Going Private Transaction.
VIAVI’s enhanced Proposal allows all EXFO shareholders to recognize significant value for their shares, including Mr. Lamonde, who would receive the same superior premium as other shareholders, and given his sizeable interest, would benefit significantly from VIAVI’s Proposal. In light of the significant value being provided to shareholders under the Proposal, we would expect the EXFO Special Committee, consistent with their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, to immediately engage with us and Mr. Lamonde and make every effort to persuade Mr. Lamonde to support VIAVI’s superior transaction.
VIAVI stands ready to engage with the EXFO Special Committee and Mr. Lamonde in order to finalize a definitive arrangement agreement to implement a transaction that is in the best interests of all EXFO shareholders.
Clear Strategic Merits for Combining VIAVI and EXFO
There are clear strategic merits for combining VIAVI and EXFO to build the leader in communications test and measurement for the next decade. The strength of the combined teams and technology, with significantly greater scale and financial resources, would enable strong investment in growth while achieving greater operating leverage than either company could do alone. VIAVI values the expertise, skills and experience of the EXFO key employee talent and believes their retention and continued commitment is critical to the success of the combination. VIAVI intends to continue EXFO’s brand and legacy, recognizing EXFO’s strong reputation built on years of quality product development, engineering excellence and customer service, and continue EXFO’s presence and operations in Quebec to complement and expand upon VIAVI’s long-standing engineering and product development teams in Quebec and Ottawa.
Minimal Customary Conditions
VIAVI’s board of directors has unanimously approved the Proposal and no VIAVI shareholder vote will be required for the transaction. In addition, the transaction will not be subject to any financing condition.
Advisors
Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP and McCarthy Tétrault LLP are acting as U.S. and Canadian legal counsel to VIAVI, respectively. Kingsdale Advisors is acting strategic shareholder and communications advisor to VIAVI.
