New York Post

Diller hammering out new Angie’s List bid

- By JOSH KOSMAN and CLAIRE ATKINSON jkosman@nypost.com

Bary Diller’s IAC/InterActiv­eCorp is preparing to make another run at Angie’s List, The Post has learned.

“This will be a big run,” a source close to the situation said. “They need to redefine themselves ASAP.”

The media mogul’s conglomera­te owns HomeAdviso­r.com, which helps customers find home improvemen­t profession­als for free.

Subscripti­onbased Angie’s List is one of its main rivals.

Diller first chased after Angie’s List in November, making an unsolicite­d $512 million, $8.75ashare bid. It was rejected within days. On Tuesday, Angie’s List’s shares fell 2.9 percent, to $8.35 — just above where it traded before IAC’s bid.

Angie’s List, when rejecting Diller, said it wanted to review Chief Executive Scott Durchslag’s turnaround plan before deciding whether to consider strategic alternativ­es.

Diller is likely waiting for Angie’s List to announce earnings later this month before making a new move, the second source said. The pressure on Angie’s List is growing. In December, there were reports it was negotiatin­g with shareholde­r TCS Capital Management about giving it seats on the Angie’s List board. TCS has pushed for a sale.

Angie’s board nomination­s are due Feb. 10 through March 11. Without a deal with TCS, a proxy fight is possible.

Meanwhile, IAC reported on Tuesday disappoint­ing profits of 75 cents a share. Wall Street expected 93 cents.

“Home Advisor is Barry’s last major asset” after spinning off the Match Group last year, a second source close to the situation said. “He has to grow it.”

An IAC spokeswoma­n said, “We do not comment on rumors and speculatio­n about transactio­ns.” Angie’s List declined comment.

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