UNIVERSAL AMERICAN
A 20-year client until acquired by WellCare in 2017, Universal American was an independent provider of health benefits and services to people covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid through its family of healthcare companies.
“The Equity Group is not just a typical IR firm. They’ve become a trusted advisor to our company. And for those companies, especially the smaller ones, The Equity Group is very good at helping create an identity for the investing public. My company began its relationship with The Equity Group in 1996 when we were a very different company…We’ve been able to reinvent ourselves in the period since then, and The Equity Group has been with us to help us craft our strategy for the public markets every step of the way. The Equity Group has always been extraordinarily responsive and a wonderful advisor, particularly when times haven’t been as good as other times… It’s wonderful working with the people at The Equity Group…they keep their equanimity at all times, and you can have a joke with them, which makes the working relationship even better.”
Richard Barasch
Former Chairman & CEO
Universal American Corp. (Acquired)
THE START
  • Commenced services in 1996.
  • Market cap under $100 million.
  • 3% of shares institutionally held.
  • Nasdaq-listed.
The Early Years
  • Introduced management to relevant sell-side analysts and institutional investors in cities throughout the U.S.
  • Secured presentation opportunities at investment conferences.
  • Prepared or advised on corporate announcements and investor communications.
  • Assisted in the creation of UAM's Investor Relations website.
Our Later Role
  • Positioned the Company as it grew through various stages of development.
  • Prepared or advised on all investor communications, such as corporate news releases, including several transformative acquisitions; investor presentations; and quarterly earnings presentations.
  • Advised management on a range of matters related to status as a public company.
  • Provided relevant market intelligence to management.
  • Facilitated participation in various investment conferences.
  • Managed email list and investor materials.
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RESULTS
  • Research coverage initiated by numerous firms.
  • Institutional holdings grew to 90% of shares outstanding.
  • UAM invited to present at a variety of reputable investment conferences.
  • Market cap reached high of $1.8 billion.
  • Company listed on NYSE.
  • The Company sold a segment of the business to CVS for $1.25 billion; paid a special dividend of $14.00 per share in 2011, followed by a $1.00 special dividend in 2012.
  • UAM was on the Fortune 500 prior to segment sale.
  • Acquired by WellCare for approximately $600 million in April 2017.
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