Helloworld Travel (HLO) M&A announcement summary

Deal rationale and strategic fit

• Acquisition of Crown Currency Exchange (CCE) complements the existing retail travel agency business and aligns with expansion goals, providing significant upside potential in the travel sector.

• Foreign exchange is a key service for outbound travelers, aligning with the sale of 2.4 million airline tickets annually.

• The deal offers a solution to diminishing Travelex outlets and leverages a strong, well-run business with a broad network.

• CCE is one of only three major players in the market, making it a strategic acquisition.

• Presents opportunities to grow CCE's operations across the retail network and enables expansion into New Zealand, a greenfield market.

Financial terms and conditions

• Purchase price is AUD 135 million, representing a 6.1x multiple of FY 2026 EBIT/EBITDA of AUD 22 million.

• Funding is split: 50% from a National Australia Bank facility, 25% via share placement to vendors, and 25% through a vendor line facility repayable over three years.

• Eight months of ownership expected in FY 2027, with an estimated EBITDA contribution of AUD 14 million.

Synergies and expected cost savings

• Main synergies stem from integrating Crown outlets into the agency network, increasing reach without significant incremental cost.

• The system allows for expansion in transaction volume with minimal additional cost, supporting profitability.