GameStop Grows EU Ops With Micromania Buyout (GME)
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GameStop (NYSE: GME) has reached a deal to make another video game chain acquisition. It is in a definitive agreement to acquire Micromania. This chain is France’s leading video game retailer with 332 locations throughout the country from private equity fund L Capital. This is another key geographic add-on for GameStop.
What is interesting is that despite GameStop having locationsthroughout Europe, it really had no presence in France. This isn’tgoing to be a massive addition to its total ranks when you consider it has5,557 combined retail stores throughout the United States and abroad in15 more countries, but it does fill a large hole in its EU presence.
The approximate $700 million deal after the assumption of debt issubject to regulatory clearance in the EU and is expected to close inNovember 2008. GameStop is using cash on hand, a draw on its creditfacility, and via a committed term loan from B of A.
The company says this is part of its capital deployment to reach 25%earnings growth in 2009. It also noted that this is expected to beimmediately accretive to earnings.
GameStop shares are up 0.5% at $34.40 in early indications today. Its 52-week trading range is $32.80 to $63.77.
Jon C. Ogg
October 1, 2008
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