What happened
Shares of Lumos Networks (LMOS), a provider of data, broadband, and voice services in the Mid-Atlantic region, jumped on Tuesday after the company announced that it had agreed to be acquired by alternative investment firm EQT Infrastructure. The stock was up 16% at 11:15 a.m. EST.
So what
EQT will pay $18 in cash for each share of Lumos, an 18.2% premium to the closing price on Feb. 17, but well below peak levels reached in late 2013. This price represents an enterprise value of $950 million.
Lumos CEO Timothy G. Biltz talked up the company's performance over the past few years by saying, "I am very pleased that our shareholders are realizing the benefits of our transformational strategy. Since my tenure of CEO began in April of 2012, Lumos has achieved an annualized shareholder return of nearly 19%, during which time we transformed into an industry leading fiber based bandwidth infrastructure services company."
Image source: Lumos Networks.
Now what
Lumos Chairman Robert Guth discussed how the acquisition would allow the company to take advantage of growth opportunities:
Our Board of Directors concluded, after a thorough review of the strategic alternatives, that the sale of Lumos Networks to EQT Infrastructure was in the best interests of Lumos Networks and its shareholders. I am pleased to announce this transaction and the beginning of the partnership between Lumos Networks and EQT Infrastructure in order to capitalize on the market opportunities ahead of us in the U.S. communications infrastructure market.
The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2017, pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
