Abacus Life to acquire Carlisle Management for $200 million By Investing.com

ORLANDO – Abacus Life, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABL), a prominent buyer of life insurance policies and alternative asset manager, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Luxembourg-based Carlisle Management Company SCA, a leader in the life settlement investment sector. The deal, valued at approximately $200 million, will see Abacus Life enhancing its global reach and asset management portfolio with an additional $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).

The acquisition is seen as a strategic fit for Abacus Life, aiming to provide more diversified offerings to institutional investors and expanding its presence in the life settlement market. Carlisle Management, known for its transparent and integrity-driven approach since 2008, is licensed by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, which is the second-largest fund manager domicile globally.

Jose Garcia, CEO of Carlisle Management, expressed enthusiasm for the merger, citing the potential for new opportunities and synergies, particularly for funds, shareholders, and employees. Abacus Life’s CEO Jay Jackson highlighted Carlisle’s strong track record and diverse client base as key accelerators in Abacus’s goal to become a significant player in the global financial sector.

Elena Plesco, Chief Capital Officer at Abacus, underscored the acquisition’s pivotal role in expanding the ABL Wealth division, which offers investors access to a high-returning asset class with low correlation to other markets.

As part of the transaction, Carlisle shareholders will receive $73.5 million in par value of Abacus bonds and 9.3 million shares of Abacus common stock, subject to adjustments and performance thresholds. The acquisition is pending regulatory approval.

Advisory roles were filled by Dynasty Investment Bank for Abacus Life and Manorhaven Capital, LLC for Carlisle Management, with legal counsel provided by White & Case LLP, Elvinger S.à r.l. PLLC, ArentFox Schiff LLP, TS&P, and Arendt & Medernach SA.

Abacus Life, established in 2004, is recognized for its actuarial technology and longevity, managing over $5 billion in life insurance policies. It operates across 49 states and is the only public life settlement company listed on the Nasdaq Exchange.

This acquisition announcement is based on a press release statement and contains forward-looking statements that involve uncertainties and assumptions. Abacus Life cautions against placing undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of their date.

In other recent news, Abacus Life has been the subject of several significant developments. B.Riley Securities adjusted its price target for Abacus Life to $15.00 from the previous $16.00, while still holding a Buy rating on the stock. This adjustment comes in the wake of a recent common stock offering by Abacus Life, issuing 10 million shares, with an additional over-allotment option of 1.5 million shares.

The offering, which was priced lower than initially anticipated, could potentially raise up to $92 million if the over-allotment is fully exercised. This raised capital, coupled with assumed debt, is expected to enable Abacus Life to acquire an additional $138 million in policies, potentially generating $27.6 million in gross revenue based on a 20% margin, according to B.Riley’s analysis.

The firm also anticipates that the earnings will increase significantly as the newly acquired capital is reinvested multiple times, which is reflected in their 2025 and 2026 earnings estimates for Abacus Life. Furthermore, B.Riley projects substantial growth potential for Abacus Life’s subsidiaries, ABL Wealth and ABL Tech, forecasting a combined revenue of $25 million by 2026.

In addition to these financial developments, Abacus Life recently appointed Elena Plesco as its new Chief Capital Officer. Ms. Plesco, who brings a decade of investment experience from her time at global investment firm KKR and J.P. Morgan’s investment banking division, will oversee the company’s capital management strategies and global expansion efforts.

InvestingPro Insights

As Abacus Life, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABL) positions itself to expand through the strategic acquisition of Carlisle Management Company, investors are eyeing the company’s financial metrics and market performance for insights into its future prospects. According to InvestingPro, Abacus Life is expected to see net income growth this year, which aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its global reach and asset management portfolio. This anticipated profitability, as mentioned in one of the InvestingPro Tips, could signal a positive outlook for stakeholders following the acquisition.

From a valuation perspective, ABL is currently trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 8500, which suggests a premium market expectation on the company’s earnings capacity. This high multiple could reflect investor confidence in the company’s ability to generate profits, especially considering its expansion into the life settlement investment sector. However, it is important to note that the stock has experienced significant price volatility and has seen a notable decline over the last three months, with a 3 Month Price Total Return of -28.21%.

Despite recent market performance, Abacus Life’s fundamentals reveal a strong financial position. The company’s liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, which is crucial for maintaining operational stability during and after the acquisition process. Moreover, with a Gross Profit Margin of 88.76% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, Abacus Life exhibits a robust ability to control costs and generate earnings from its revenues.

Investors looking to delve deeper into Abacus Life’s financial health and future potential can find additional InvestingPro Tips on Investing.com. With 6 more tips available, users can gain comprehensive insights and make informed decisions. To access these valuable tips, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.

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