By Digifin Pty Ltd · About this coverage
Key Points
- Binding deal to buy 100% of Crown Currency Exchange for $135m
- CCE FY26 underlying EBITDA $22m; implied multiple 6.1x
- 68 stores nationally; over 200 employees; Hobart head office
- Funded via NAB loan, vendor share placement and vendor loan
- Completion expected end October 2026; ASX LR 11.1 confirmation sought
About Helloworld (ASX:HLO)
Helloworld Travel Limited is an ASX-listed travel distribution company headquartered in Melbourne. It operates retail leisure and business travel networks, broker networks, wholesale and inbound services, and related travel businesses in Australia, New Zealand and selected international markets.
Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX:HLO) has entered a binding agreement to purchase 100% of Crown Currency Exchange, adding a national foreign-exchange retail network to its travel distribution businesses.
The purchase price is $135 million. CCE operates 68 stores across Australia, made underlying EBITDA of $22 million in FY26 and employs over 200 people, with head office in Hobart. The $135 million price represents an implied multiple of 6.1x based on that FY26 EBITDA. Emily Palermo and Greg Woolley will remain as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman respectively. Andrew Burnes AO, David Hall and Mike Smith will join the CCE board at completion. Consideration will be funded through a loan facility from NAB, a vendor share placement and a vendor loan facility. While Helloworld's view is that the acquisition does not require shareholder approval under Listing Rule 11.1, it has sought confirmation from ASX. Completion is expected at the end of October 2026.
ASX confirmation on Listing Rule 11.1 is outstanding, and the release does not break out the size of each funding component.
Source: Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX:HLO), 21 September 2026. Summary content supplied by Digifin Pty Ltd.
News summary only, not financial advice. It does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs.