Ratos sells Nordic Cinema Group - exit gain approximately SEK 900m

2015-04-28

This information is disclosed in accordance with the Securities Markets Act, the Financial Instruments Trading Act or demands made in the exchange rules.

Ratos has signed an agreement on the sale of the subsidiary Nordic Cinema Group, the leading cinema operator in the Nordic and Baltic regions, to Bridgepoint. The enterprise value amounts to approximately SEK 4,700m and Ratos will receive approximately SEK 1,700m for its shareholding. The sale generates an exit gain of approximately SEK 900m and an average annual return (IRR) of approximately 42%. The sale is subject to approval from the relevant authorities.

In 2011, Ratos acquired Finnkino, the leading cinema operator in Finland and the Baltic countries. Nordic Cinema Group (NCG) was formed two years later through a merger of Bonnier-owned SF Bio and Ratos-owned Finnkino and is today the leading cinema operator in the Nordic and Baltic regions with 66 wholly owned cinemas with 444 screens in approximately 50 major towns. NCG is also co-owner of an additional 48 cinemas. NCG operates with four strong brands in six markets: SF Bio in Sweden, Finnkino in Finland, SF Kino in Norway and Forum Cinemas in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In 2014 Nordic Cinema Group's sales totalled SEK 2,612m and EBITA amounted to SEK 366m.

Susanna Campbell, CEO of Ratos, comments: "Together with Bonnier we have created a strong Nordic cinema operator with a leading market position and good profitability. This provides good opportunities for the company in the future and enables continued investment in modern cinemas and development of the customer offering. The company is well positioned to continue to deliver exciting film experiences in the future. A strong focus on value creation throughout the entire holding period has generated a good return and led to a successful transaction for Ratos."

In April 2011, Ratos acquired Finnkino and in May 2013 a merger took place between SF Bio and Finnkino which formed NCG where Ratos received a holding of 58% in the new group. Ratos's net invested capital amounts to approximately SEK 360m. Co-owners are Bonnier (40%) and the company's board and management.

Ratos has signed an agreement with Bridgepoint to sell its entire holding for a price for Ratos's shareholding of approximately SEK 1,700m. The sale generates an estimated exit gain of approximately SEK 900m and an average annual return (IRR) of approximately 42%.

The sale is subject to approval from the relevant authorities and is expected to be completed in the summer.

For further information, please contact:
Susanna Campbell, CEO, +46 8 700 17 00
Elin Ljung, Head of Corporate Communications, +46 8 700 17 20

Financial calendar from Ratos:
Interim report January-March 2015	7 May 2015
Interim report January-June 2015	14 August 2015
Interim report January-September 2015	6 November 2015

Ratos is a private equity conglomerate. The company's mission is to maximise shareholder value over time through the professional, active and responsible exercise of its ownership role in primarily unlisted medium sized Nordic companies. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Aibel, Arcus-Gruppen, Biolin Scientific, Bisnode, DIAB, Euromaint, GS-Hydro, Hafa Bathroom Group, HENT, HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD, Ledil, Mobile Climate Control, Nebula and Nordic Cinema Group. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 21 billion.