Goldman to help Fairfax get value for Stayz
Analysts from JPMorgan have valued the holiday accommodation site, which Fairfax acquired in 2005, at about $140 million. That valuation was based on pre-tax earnings in the year to June.
Fairfax gave an insight into the financial performance of Stayz in June when it broke out its earnings, which prompted speculation about the possibility that the business was being considered for sale.
The company would not comment on speculation about Stayz on Thursday. A spokesman said no decision had been made about selling any business.
"Fairfax will continue to manage the business to maximise shareholder value," he said.
However, a logical buyer would be US online holiday rental company HomeAway, which has grown quickly through acquisitions and already has a presence in Australia.
The other players in the online accommodation market include listed online travel company Wotif and space-renting site Airbnb.
The interest in Stayz follows the sale last year of Fairfax's remaining stake in New Zealand online auction house Trade Me for $616 million.
More recently, investors have speculated that the media publishing company might pursue a float of its real estate business, Domain, as a separately listed company.
Fairfax told investors at a briefing in June that Stayz had increased revenue above market in a challenging environment. Fairfax chief executive Greg Hywood said at the time that both Stayz and dating site RSVP were "generating strong margins".
The other sites that fall under Stayz's umbrella include Rent-A-Home, TakeABreak, and YesBookit.
Fairfax this week agreed to sell online financial services website InvestSMART to Australasian Wealth Investments for $7 million in cash. The owner of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald will report its full-year results on August 22.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Fairfax appointed advisers from investment bank Goldman Sachs to help it respond to external interest in its holiday rentals website Stayz and to ensure the business is managed to maximise shareholder value.
Analysts from JPMorgan have valued Stayz at about $140 million, a figure based on pre-tax earnings for the year to June.
Fairfax has not made a decision about selling any business. Company spokespeople said they would not comment on speculation and that Fairfax will continue to manage Stayz to maximise shareholder value.
The article identifies US online holiday rental company HomeAway as a logical buyer, and lists other players in the market including listed travel company Wotif and space-renting site Airbnb.
Fairfax said at a June briefing that Stayz had increased revenue above the market in a challenging environment, and chief executive Greg Hywood noted that Stayz (along with dating site RSVP) was generating strong margins.
Sites falling under the Stayz umbrella include Rent-A-Home, TakeABreak and YesBookit, in addition to the main Stayz service.
Fairfax sold its remaining stake in New Zealand online auction house Trade Me last year for $616 million, and this week agreed to sell online financial services website InvestSMART to Australasian Wealth Investments for $7 million in cash.
Fairfax will report its full-year results on August 22; investors often watch the full-year results for updates on divisional performance, divestment plans and how assets like Stayz and Domain are contributing to overall earnings.
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