Australian website acquires Canadian publisher with Clayton Utz's help

Clayton Utz is advising HotCopper in its acquisition of Stockhouse Publishing.

The ASX-listed HotCopper is Australia's largest stock trading and investment internet discussion forum. Stockhouse is one of North America’s largest investor communities. It is a leading Canadian publisher of opinion, research, and insights from respected and trusted analysts and experts, Clayton Utz said.

HotCopper said that the combined business will have about 100 million investor page impressions a month, reaching about 2 million investors and serving more than 400 listed company clients. It said that the acquisition is a key step in its strategy to grow a global finance news and retail investor relations platform.

Total consideration for the deal is up to CAD$20m, subject to meeting certain goals. Clayton Utz said that the deal is to be funded by debt and equity.

Corporate partners Mark Paganin and Liz Humphry head the Clayton Utz team. Key support is provided by lawyers Alex Davies and Nicholas Rawlinson.