Sirius lists on Nasdaq; completes private placement

Bermuda-based Sirius International Insurance Group has become a publicly listed company, trading on the Nasdaq, following the completion of its  merger agreement with Easterly Acquisition.

As per the agreement, Easterly has merged with a unit of Sirius Group and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sirius Group.

Shares of Easterly's common stock were exchanged for Sirius Group's common shares at a value equal to 1.05x Sirius Group's adjusted diluted GAAP book value per share as of September 30, 2018, and public warrants issued by Easterly to acquire shares of Easterly common stock were converted into warrants issued by Sirius Group to acquire Sirius Group common shares. Each share of Easterly common stock was exchanged for 0.609 of a Sirius Group common share.

In connection with the merger, Sirius has also completed a private placement. Affiliated funds of Gallatin Point Capital, The Carlyle Group, Centerbridge Partners, and Bain Capital Credit purchased $205 million of Series B preference shares and $8 million of common shares of Sirius Group at the merger price.

These investors received warrants valued at $10 million in the aggregate that are exercisable for a period of five years after the issue date at a strike price equal to 125 percent of the merger price. In addition, employees and friends and family of Sirius Group purchased $16 million of Sirius Group common shares at the merger price.

"This is a watershed day for Sirius Group," said Allan Waters, CEO of Sirius. "A public listing, increased shareholder diversification led by four globally recognized investment firms, and a strong, independent board will benefit all stakeholders and add fuel to our future growth."

Sirius Group also announced that it reconstituted its board of directors as of the closing of the merger. In addition to its existing independent directors, Meyer (Sandy) Frucher, vice chairman of Nasdaq; and Robert Friedman, a private investor and former chief investment officer of the Mutual Series group of funds, Alain Karaoglan, former chief operating officer of Voya Financial; Rachelle Keller, a former managing director of Citibank, NA; and James Rogers, an international investor, author and financial commentator, have joined Sirius Group's board.

These independent directors will serve alongside Sirius CEO Allan Waters; and Feng (Laurence) Liao, CEO of CMIG International Holding, Sirius Group's principal equity holder following the merger.

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