Simpson Thacher recently represented Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs & Co., in connection with the financing for its acquisition of Ebix, Inc. (EBIX), a public company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The transaction, which is expected to close later this year, values Ebix, Inc., at about $820 million. Ebix, Inc. is a leading international supplier of software and e-commerce solutions to the insurance industry.

More >>

The Firm recently represented Cogeco Cable Inc. (“Cogeco Cable”) in its offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020. Cogeco Cable is using the net proceeds from the offering, together with borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to repay in full the term loan tranches of the senior secured credit facilities entered into in connection with its acquisition of PEER 1 Network Enterprises, Inc. in January 2013. The notes are guaranteed by certain of Cogeco Cable’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. The offering was conducted in reliance on Rule 144A and Regulation S.

More >>

Simpson Thacher represented the initial purchasers, led by joint book-running managers, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co., and by co-managers, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in the sale of an aggregate principal amount of $250 million 4.75% Senior Notes due 2021 by Rent-A-Center, Inc. (“Rent-A-Center”). The notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of Rent-A-Center’s existing and future subsidiaries that are either borrowers under Rent-A-Center’s senior credit facilities or that guarantee any indebtedness of Rent-A-Center or any other guarantor, subject to certain exceptions. Rent-A-Center intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to (1) repay $46 million of the revolving loans outstanding under its revolving credit facility and (2) apply the remainder to accelerated common stock repurchases as market conditions permit, and to the extent not so applied, for general corporate purposes.

More >>

The Firm is representing Melrose Industries PLC (“Melrose”) in connection with its announced sale of Truth Hardware (“Truth”) to Tyman PLC. The total consideration for this transaction is US$200 million (£129 million), and will be payable in cash upon completion. Melrose intends to use the proceeds to pay down existing borrowings. The transaction is expected to close in June 2013.

More >>

McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (MLA) today announced that Craig M. Johnson, former New York State Senator, has joined its national Government Affairs practice as Managing Director effective May 20, 2013. He will operate out of the firm’s New York, New York and Albany, New York offices.

More >>