ALD’s proposed acquisition of LeasePlan to create a global mobility player

Societe Generale announces the signing by Societe Generale and ALD of two Memorandums of Understanding under which ALD would acquire 100% of LeasePlan from a consortium led by TDR Capital, to create a leading global player in mobility with a total combined fleet of around 3.5 million vehicles⁽¹⁾:

• The proposed acquisition of LeasePlan for a total consideration of EUR 4.9bn⁽²⁾ would be made through a combination of shares and cash;
• Societe Generale would commit to remain the long-term majority shareholder of the combined entity (“NewALD”) with a ~53% stake at closing, LeasePlan shareholders holding 30.75%.

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This transformative project would be a step-change towards creating a leading global player in mobility, benefiting from highly compelling complementary capabilities and synergies. Benefitting from materially increased investment firepower and differentiated know-how, the combined entity will be particularly well-positioned to take full advantage of the industry’s underlying basic trends, including the shift from vehicle ownership to usership and to electric vehicle fleets, as well as the growth of digital technologies to enrich services provided. This project would be perfectly coherent with the corporate purpose of the Societe Generale group and its ambition notably to actively support economies as well as our customers in their energy transition.

This foreseen acquisition would be highly value-creating for shareholders, with net earnings per share accretion of ~+20%⁽³⁾ for NewALD in 2023, as well as >+5%⁽⁴⁾ for Societe Generale from 2024. Societe Generale would benefit from a ~80bps⁽⁵⁾ ROTE uplift in 2024. At Group level, the capital impact at closing is expected to be around -40bps⁽⁶⁾.

This intended transaction is perfectly aligned with the Group's strategy to preserve its disciplined and balanced capital allocation policy, combining the financing of growth of its businesses, in priority its most profitable businesses, with an attractive dividend policy based upon a 50% pay-out-ratio of the Group’s underlying net income⁽⁷⁾.

Two industry leaders join forces at the forefront of the industry transformation

ALD is a global leader in mobility solutions providing full-service leasing and fleet management services across 43 countries with a total fleet of 1.7 million vehicles. It has a proven track record in fleet growth (+4% fleet CAGR⁽¹⁾), profitability (~16% of ROE⁽¹⁾) and efficiency (48% cost-to-income in 9M 21).

LeasePlan is a leading fleet management and mobility company worldwide with a total fleet of 1.8 million vehicles⁽²⁾ and an extensive offer making it the perfect fit for ALD to shape the industry’s transformation.

The proposed combination of the two companies would create a leading global player in mobility with a total fleet of 3.5 million vehicles⁽²⁾. This transaction would provide key advantages: a global offer and coverage of all client categories, an increased breadth in terms of products and services, and a large and balanced geographic coverage. These would enable NewALD to anticipate future market needs and meet client expectations with industry-leading operating efficiency and optimised procurement.

Ideally positioned in a fast-growing market supported by strong underlying megatrends, NewALD would have a unique opportunity to:

• Lead the data-driven digital transformation of the sector
• Drive the shift towards usership on all fronts: B2B, B2C and even B2E⁽³⁾
• Accelerate the transition towards low-emissions and sustainable mobility

The enhanced firepower to invest and develop new mobility products and ancillary services would allow NewALD to build new digital business models based on core value chain competencies and state-of-the-art digital solutions across client categories, products, and services.

An accretive and transformative transaction for Societe Generale

This highly accretive proposed transaction for ALD would generate value for Societe Generale. It is perfectly in line with Societe Generale’s strategy to selectively allocate more capital to the most profitable and growing businesses and position as a leader in sustainable mobility.

The expected impact on CET1 ratio at closing would be around -40 bps⁽²⁾. The Group remains committed to managing its CET1 ratio with a buffer above 200 bps over MDA at any point in time and confirms its distribution policy of 50% of underlying Group net income⁽³⁾.

As a result, this proposed combination is expected to be highly accretive for Societe Generale with an improved earnings per share expected at >+5%⁽⁴⁾ from 2024. The ROTE should increase by ~ +80bps⁽⁵⁾ and the Return on Investment should reach >16% in 2024⁽⁶⁾.

^{(1) Excluding Australia / New Zealand sold by LeasePlan.
(2) Based on €12.12 per share for ALD (1-month VWAP on Euronext as of 27 Oct 21, date of publication of press release after market close confirming discussions concerning a potential combination) and excluding warrants. Based on LeasePlan book value of ~EUR 3.5bn at closing, subject to minor adjustments.
(3) Computed based on 2023E net income group share post AT1 cost, including fully phased run rate synergies, excluding restructuring costs and at constant perimeter. ALD standalone 2023E EPS adjusted for capital increase, based on 2023 consensus as of 27 October 2021 (FactSet).
(5) Computed based on 2024E net income group share post AT1 cost, including fully phased run rate synergies and excluding restructuring costs, divided by average tangible shareholders’ equity.
(6) Q3 2021 pro-forma.
(7) After deduction of interest on deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes.}

^{(1) Since 2017.
(2) Excluding Australia / New Zealand sold by LeasePlan.
(3) Business to Employee.
(4) Computed as: Total overheads / Gross margin (excluding used car sales result and cost of risk).}

^{(1) Computed based on 2023E net income group share post AT1 cost, including fully phased run rate synergies, excluding restructuring costs and at constant perimeter. ALD standalone 2023E EPS adjusted for capital increase, based on 2023 consensus as of 27 October 2021 (FactSet).
(2) Q3 21 pro forma.
(3) After deduction of interest on deeply subordinated notes and undated subordinated notes.
(4) Computed based on 2024E net income group share post AT1 cost, including fully phased run rate synergies and excluding restructuring costs, based on 2024 consensus as of 27 October 2021 (FactSet).
(5) Computed based on 2024E net income group share post AT1 cost, including fully phased run rate synergies and excluding restructuring costs, divided by average tangible shareholders’ equity.
(6) Calculated as the incremental 2024E net income for Societe Generale, including fully phased run rate synergies, excluding restructuring costs, divided by allocated capital from Societe Generale standpoint defined as 11% of incremental consolidated RWA under Basel III plus created goodwill and intangibles at Societe Generale minus recognised minority interests & other effects. ROI equivalent to ~14% under Basel IV.
(7) Based on €12.12 per share for ALD (1-month VWAP on Euronext between as of 27 Oct 21, date of the press release confirming discussions concerning a potential combination, published by Societe Generale after market close) and excluding warrants.}