Power Corporation's FinTech Strategy Creating Shareholder Value - Wealthsimple announces $750 million equity offering

MONTRÉAL, May 3, 2021

The PCC Group is the largest shareholder of Wealthsimple holding a 62% equity interest, on a fully diluted basis with PCC, IGM Financial and Great-West Lifeco owning 23.1%, 36.3% and 2.3%, respectively. The PCC Group's interest represents 76% of the voting rights. Following completion of the primary and secondary offerings, the PCC Group will continue to be the largest shareholder in Wealthsimple with a combined 43% equity interest, on a fully diluted basis, and 60% of the voting rights ^[1]. As a result of the secondary offering, the PCC Group will receive proceeds of $500 million and will retain an interest valued at $2.1 billion, a total increase in value of $1.7 billion from December 31, 2020 and $2.3 billion over the PCC Group's invested capital of $315 million in Wealthsimple. This represents a multiple on invested capital of 8.3x and a compound annual return on investment of 79% (before expenses and taxes).

PCC currently holds a 23% equity interest in Wealthsimple, on a fully diluted basis. PCC will receive proceeds of $187 million ($164 million after-tax) from the secondary offering and will retain a 16% equity interest in Wealthsimple, on a fully diluted basis, valued at $796 million. PCC's retained interest represents, along with proceeds from the secondary offering, an increase in value of approximately $633 million, or $0.94 per participating share, from December 31, 2020. 

Today, IGM Financial also announced the change in its ownership interest in Wealthsimple. IGM Financial will receive proceeds of $295 million ($260 million after-tax) from its pro-rata share of the secondary offering and will retain an interest valued at $1.15 billion. Additional details are disclosed in IGM Financial's press release issued earlier today.

Wealthsimple is a key part of a portfolio of fintech investments that the PCC Group has cultivated through Portag3 Ventures ("Portag3"), the venture-capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment platform Sagard Holdings. Investments in organizations such as Wealthsimple enhance the capabilities of PCC's publicly traded operating companies while giving them exposure to new markets with favorable secular trends. Through Portag3, the PCC Group will continue to play an active role in Wealthsimple's growth through Board membership and support from Portag3's value creation team.

[1] Including a 3.8% interest held through a co-investment vehicle managed by Sagard Holdings. ARIVA.DE Börsen-Geflüster Kurse Power Corporation Of Canada 24,80 € -0,80%

Expected Impact of Wealthsimple's Equity Offerings on PCC's Consolidated Financial Statements ^[2]

In the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, the revised Wealthsimple valuation will result in a net increase in the liability related to put rights held by non-controlling interests and option holders of Wealthsimple of approximately $200 million recorded through the statement of earnings and a net carried interest expense of approximately $41 million.

In the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, pending a successful close of the transaction, the put rights will be extinguished. Following the close, the primary and secondary offerings and the extinguishment of the put rights will result in an increase in participating shareholders' equity of approximately $0.7 billion recorded through the statement of changes in equity.

About Wealthsimple

Wealthsimple is a financial company on a mission to help everyone achieve financial freedom, no matter who they are or how much they have. Using smart technology, Wealthsimple takes financial services that are often confusing, opaque and expensive and makes them simple, transparent, and low-cost. The company was founded by a team of financial experts and technology entrepreneurs, and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. To learn more, visit www.wealthsimple.com.

About Power Corporation

Power Corporation is an international management and holding company that focuses on financial services in North America, Europe and Asia. Its core holdings are leading insurance, retirement, wealth management and investment businesses, including a portfolio of alternative asset investment platforms. To learn more, visit www.PowerCorporation.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and reflect the Corporation's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are provided to present information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and the reader is cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of the Corporation, including the Corporation's fintech strategy, the expected proceeds from the primary and secondary offerings and the resulting size and value of the ownership interests of members of the PCC Group, the extinguishing of the put rights, and the expected impact of matters on the Corporation's financial statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "seeks", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "may", "will", "should", "would" and "could".

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SOURCE Power Corporation of Canada