Endeavor Group said today it has initiated a formal review to evaluate strategic alternatives for the company.
It didn’t offer details but did said the review will not include the sale or disposition of the company’s interest in newly created TKO Group, now the parent of WWE and UFC.
“Given the continued dislocation between Endeavor’s public market value and the intrinsic value of Endeavor’s underlying assets, we believe an evaluation of strategic alternatives is a prudent approach to ensure we are maximizing value for our shareholders,” said CEO Ariel Emanuel.
Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE this year and pairing it with UFC to create the publicly traded TKO was designed to boost Endeavor’s share price by putting a market value on its most valuable asset. But the move has proved disappointing. Endeavor’s stock closed at $17.72 today, just pennies above its 52-week low. The shares did pop 11% in after-market trading on news of the strategic review.
TKO shares launched on the NYSE Sept. 12 at well over $100. They closed today at $78.64 (rising 2% in the after market).
“Endeavor has not set a deadline or definitive timetable for the completion of the strategic alternatives review process, and there can be no assurance that this process will result in any particular outcome. The Company does not intend to comment further regarding the review of strategic alternatives until it determines disclosure is necessary or advisable.”
More to come…