The transaction will have a positive impact on earnings, according to the company. To illustrate this, Mr Rees said that, on a pro forma basis, if the transaction had closed at the end of 2017, Crocs would have added 18 cents a share to its year-to-date earnings - a 30 per cent increase. The deal also frees up US$12 million annually that had been paid in dividends to Blackstone, and will give common shareholders greater quarterly profit going forward. Blackstone will retain one of its two board seats, Mr Rees said. He said he hopes the retained director will be Prakash Melwani, chief investment officer of Blackstone's private equity business. BLOOMBERG