In this briefing:
- Bank Danamon Goes Ex-Rights
- Nutrien’s Move On Ruralco Makes Agronomic Sense
- Nexon M&A: Amazon & Comcast Enter the Race – It Ain’t Over Till Its Over!
1. Bank Danamon Goes Ex-Rights
The process of the merger between Bank Danamon Indonesia (BDMN IJ) and Mitsubishi Ufj Financial (8306 JP)‘s local unit Bank Nusantara Parahyangan (BBNP IJ) is proceeding apace.
Today, the shares go ex-rights for shareholders looking to both vote on March 26th and, assuming the vote goes through, to elect to receive cash of IDR 9,590 instead of continuing to hold shares. BDMN shares are trading down, as expected.
2. Nutrien’s Move On Ruralco Makes Agronomic Sense
Ruralco Holdings (RHL AU) has announced it has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed in which Nutrien Ltd (NTR CN) has agreed to take Ruralco private at $4.40/share – a 44% premium to last close and the one-month VWAP. The Offer values Ruralco at A$469mn and an enterprise value of $615mn.
A fully franked special dividend of A$0.90 will reduce the Scheme consideration. An interim dividend of A$0.10 will be added.
The Scheme is subject to shareholder approval, and approval from the ACCC and FIRB. Previous commentary bv ACCC’s Rod Sims would indicate this regulatory approval will not be an issue.
Ruralco’s directors unanimously recommend the Offer in the absence of a superior proposal and a favourable independent expert opinion.
Concerning shareholder reception to the Scheme, Ruralco’s CEO Travis Dillon said “The feedback we’ve had … with all stakeholders, but including our shareholders (has been) overwhelmingly positive.“
This is a pretty clean deal and the gross/annualised spread of 1.4%/4.1%, assuming late June completion, reflects this.
A counter offer from Elders Ltd (ELD AU) cannot be ruled out. But given its comparative size, Nutrien would be the likely winner in such a scrap, potentially reducing the likelihood of Elders making an offer.
3. Nexon M&A: Amazon & Comcast Enter the Race – It Ain’t Over Till Its Over!
In a surprising move, it was reported after the market close today that Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US) (market cap of US$804 billion) and Comcast (US$176 billion) will enter the race and have submitted initial bids to acquire Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP)/NXC Corp.
The entrance of Amazon and Comcast is a major positive surprise and it should have a strong positive impact on Nexon’s share price. Prior to the entrance of Amazon and Comcast in this M&A battle, the market was firmly leaning towards the consortium including Tencent, Netmarble Games, and MBK Partners to acquire NXC Corp/Nexon.
Now, Amazon and Comcast’s entrance into this M&A battle has made it a lot more exciting and uncertain. Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP)‘s share price is up 19% YTD but its share price trend has been flattening out in February. In the next few weeks, we expect further boost to Nexon’s share price (15%+), mainly because a lot more investors will think that the Tencent consortium, Amazon, and Comcast will try to pay higher price to acquire NXC Corp/Nexon. Kudos to Nexon shareholders!
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