Online and print media firm Tom.com has acquired leading Taiwan youth magazine and book publisher Sharp Point Publishing for HK$85.3 million.
Tom.com, backed by tycoon Li Ka-shing, had previously acquired 49 per cent of a joint venture from a merger between Taiwan's PC Home and Cite Publishing.
'Sharp Point may be included as part of the assets of Tom's print media vehicle upon its planned listing,' Tom.com said in announcing the deal.
Tom.com will pay about 50 per cent in cash and 25 per cent with 3.87 million Tom.com shares valued at HK$5.51 each. The remaining 25 per cent will be paid via the issue of new shares in a planned flotation of Tom.com's print media vehicle.
Sharp Point publishes nine monthly and four bi-monthly magazines, with a combined circulation of more than 330,000 last year. It publishes 3,800 book titles, with a monthly print run last year of more than 300,000.
The publisher generated pro forma revenue of HK$72.9 million in 1999 and its unaudited pro forma revenue last year was HK$106.6 million, Tom.com said.