Zoom plans to sell $ 1.5 billion shares at 10 times its IPO price

Zoom said on Tuesday he plans to raise $ 1.5 billion in a secondary stock sale, valuing his stock 10 times higher than where he debuted in 2019.

The video chat company, which was a major beneficiary of the remote work boom during the Covid-19 pandemic, assumes a share price of $ 337.71, based on Monday’s close . Zoom went public less than two years ago, selling shares at $ 36 apiece. He plans to sell around 4.4 million new shares.

Zoom is benefiting from renewed investor interest after the stock quintupled in value last year, when the company’s flagship became a household name. Zoom is already profitable, but the sale of shares will complete its balance sheet. In October, the company had $ 730.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $ 283.1 million in January.

With a market capitalization of nearly $ 100 billion, Zoom has the equity capital to make significant acquisitions.

The secondary sale will provide the necessary capital to combine liquidity and potentially make trades more attractive to targets. Zoom said he plans to use the money for operating and capital expenses, and “may also use part of the net proceeds for strategic acquisitions or investments in businesses, products, services or complementary technologies “.

While Zoom’s valuation has increased tenfold since its IPO, the company is significantly below its peak. Since peaking at $ 568.34 in mid-October, Zoom shares have fallen more than 41%, taking their biggest hit on reports that Covid-19 vaccines were highly effective and would be rushed to market .

Zoom’s revenue growth has exceeded 350% in each of the past two quarters, and the company said in its last earnings report in November that fourth-quarter tax growth would approach 330%. By the middle of the year, growth is expected to slow significantly as the company faces much more difficult comparisons and the likelihood of people returning to the office.

Zoom shares were up 1.6% to $ 343.14 by mid-afternoon on Tuesday.

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