Lowe’s Companies (NYSE: LOW) this evening announced it will be taking a major loss on its Canadian retail operations. The firm has agreed to sell the Canadian assets for $400 million in cash to that of Sycamore Partners.
The purchaser, Sycamore, is a private equity firm said to specialize in retail, consumer, and distribution-related investments. The group, founded in 2011, is said to have assets of roughly $10 billion.
“The sale of our Canadian retail business is an important step toward simplifying the Lowe’s business model. While this business represents approximately 7% of our full year 2022 sales outlook, it also represents approximately 60 basis points of dilution on our full year 2022 operating margin outlook,” said Lowe’s Chairman Marvin R Ellison on the sale.
Lowe’s Canadian operations, at 7% of the 2022 sales outlook, are expected to amount to US$6.79 – US$6.93 billion.
The firms Canadian operations currently consist of 450 corporate and affiliated retail locations, which operate under the Lowe’s, RONA, Dick’s Lumber, and Reno-Depot banners across the country. The operation is presently based out of Boucherville, Quebec.
Consideration for the sale is said to consist of $400 million, which is to be paid in cash, as well as undisclosed performance-based deferred consideration. Lowe’s is expected to take a $2.0 billion impairment charge in the third quarter of 2022 as a result of the sale.
The sale of Lowe’s Canadian operations follows the company focusing on expanding the business in 2016, when it acquired RONA in a transaction valued at US$2.4 billion, which at the time brought the firms locations north of the border to 539. Store closures began two years later in 2018 however, which continued through to 2019 as a result of “underperformance.”
The transaction is expected to close in early 2023.
Lowe’s last traded at $179.82 on the NYSE.
Information for this briefing was found via Edgar and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
