European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Jesús is an Insight Provider (Event-driven) on the Smartkarma network, where he looks across sectors at opportunities arising from securities mispricing (both credit and equity), share classes, bid announcements, prospective bids, and special situations. He has served as Economic and Business Advisor at the Spanish Congress in Madrid. Prior to that, he has worked in the City of London: as a Credit Analyst at Bloomberg; Event-driven associate at former boutique European Research; and doubled as Special Situations and Equity-linked VP (convertible bonds) at Merrill Lynch. Jesús has an MBA from the London Business School, a BA (Hons.) degree in Economics from the Complutense University in Madrid, and a BA (Hons.) in Law from U.N.E.D., also in Madrid.

Coca-Cola European Partners’ Takeover Bid for Coca-Cola Amatil

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coca-cola-european-partners" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29709:1" rel="noopener">Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP US)</a> announced on 25 October that it has made a non-binding proposal to acquire <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coca-cola-amatil-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:675:1" rel="noopener">Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU)</a>.
<ul>
<li>CCL’s independent shareholders would get AUD12.75 per share, in cash.</li>
<li>CCL's shares shot up by 16.3%, while those of CCEP closed 2.7% lower.</li>
</ul>
Although the rationale for a deal is unclear to me, CCEP can afford the acquisition.
CCL was getting its fizz back: CCL shares had fallen by 3% during 2019 to $10.75 (prior to the offer announcement), but are trading above their March low of AUD7.86. I view CCL as a strong company, with a clear strategy; growth opportunities (expanding offer, overseas growth); and growing market share.
However, the current environment is likely to see a structural shift to eating at home and less casual dining at restaurants; a focus on healthier alternatives away from sugary and carbonated drinks; and a resulting decline in restaurant numbers, all of which are dilutive to CCL’s margins.
The offer price represents 22.6x Forward P/E vs. 19.2x for CCEP, thus looking a generous offer. Recommendation is LONG CCL.
<ul>
<li>Gross spread is 1.9% on a deal that is highly likely to succeed.</li>
<li>Average 3m trading volume is 2.8 million shares.</li>
</ul>

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP US) announced on 25 October that it has made a non-binding proposal to acquire Coca Cola Amatil (CCL AU).

CCL’s independent shareholders would get AUD12.75 per share, in cash.
CCL's shares shot up by 16.3%, while those of CCEP closed 2.7% lower.

Although the rationale for a deal is unclear to me, CCEP can afford the acquisition.
CCL was getting its fizz back: CCL shares had fallen by 3% during 2019 to $10.75 (prior to the offer announcement), but are trading above their March low of AUD7.86. I view CCL as a strong company, with a clear strategy; growth opportunities (expanding offer, overseas growth); and growing market share.
However, the current environment is likely to see a structural shift to eating at home and less casual dining at restaurants; a focus on healthier alternatives away from sugary and carbonated drinks; and a resulting decline in restaurant numbers, all of which are dilutive to CCL’s margins.
The offer price represents 22.6x Forward P/E vs. 19.2x for CCEP, thus looking a generous offer. Recommendation is LONG CCL.

Gross spread is 1.9% on a deal that is highly likely to succeed.
Average 3m trading volume is 2.8 million shares.


Coca-Cola European Partners - Coca-Cola Amatil: Non-Binding Proposal