Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 2 to 457 rigs
Baker Hughes (BKR) reports that the U.S. rig count is up 2 from last week to 457 with oil rigs up 3 to 359, gas rigs down 1 to 98, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0.
U.S. Rig Count is up 156 rigs from last year’s count of 301, with oil rigs up 137 gas rigs up 21 and miscellaneous rigs down 2.
The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is unchanged at 14, up 2 year-over-year.
Rig Counts Rise – See Stockwinners.com Market Radar to read more
The Canada Rig Count is up 4 from last week to 62, with oil rigs up 3 to 28, gas rigs up 1 to 34.
The Canada Rig Count is up 42 rigs from last year’s count of 20, with oil rigs up 21, gas rigs up 21.
The Baker Hughes rig counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the U.S., Canada and international markets.
The Company has issued the rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of the U.S. and Canadian drilling activity. The monthly international rig count was initiated in 1975.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is up a penny to $66.86 per barrel. Brent crude is up $0.14 to $69.34 per barrel. Gasoline last traded at $2.17 per gallon up a penny.
This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.
Canadian Pacific says prepared to re-engage with Kansas City Southern
Canadian Pacific (CP) sent the following letter to the Surface Transportation Board in response to the Kansas City Southern (KSU) Board of Directors’ decision to terminate the Merger Agreement with CP:
Canadian Pacific wants to merge with Kansas City Southern
“I am writing on behalf of the Canadian Pacific Applicants in this proceeding to advise the Board and Interested Parties of the CP Applicants’ intentions in light of Kansas City Southern’s decision to terminate the merger agreement between CP and Kansas City Southern and to enter a merger agreement with Canadian National Railway.
For the reasons explained below, CP intends to proceed to prepare and file its Application in this docket seeking Board authority to control KCS and its U.S. rail carrier subsidiaries.
The decision of KCS’s board of directors to designate CN’s offer a “superior proposal” reflects the extreme price CN has offered KCS in order to extinguish CP’s proposed transaction,2 coupled with CN’s undertaking to attempt to absolve KCS and its shareholders of the regulatory risks associated with CN’s proposed acquisition through the use of a voting trust. In order to neutralize the regulatory risks posed by CN’s proposed transaction from the perspective of KCS’s shareholders,
CN’s agreement to acquire KCS is conditioned on CN’s ability to acquire KCS shares in advance of receiving Board approval to control KCS via the use of a voting trust.
On May 17, the Board ruled in Finance Docket No. 36514 that CN’s proposed acquisition of KCS is subject to the 2001 Major Merger rules, and, accordingly, that CN’s proposed use of a voting trust requires formal STB approval under 49 U.S.C. Section1180.4(b)(4)(iv).
The Combined network covers Gulf of Mexico to Pacific Ocean
The Board explained that it would “take a more cautious approach to a voting trust” in the CN proceeding and that its “consideration of whether the proposed use of a voting trust in a potential CN-KCS transaction is ‘consistent with the public interest’ would be informed by argument on both the potential benefits and costs of such use.”
CP believes that CN cannot demonstrate that its proposed use of a voting trust would be “consistent with the public interest” for reasons CP has already summarized and will address further in its comments on CN’s proposal in Finance Docket No. 36514, once CN refiles its motion seeking Board approval and the Board establishes a comment period.
Because STB Voting Trust Approval is a condition to closing, were CN unable to use a voting trust, CN’s proposed acquisition of KCS could not be consummated. KCS would then face the choice of whether to renegotiate the CN-KCS merger agreement in order to proceed with CN without the use of a voting trust.
Were KCS presented with the question of how to proceed following a decision by the Board not to approve CN’s proposed use of a voting trust, CP anticipates being available to engage with KCS to enter into another agreement to acquire KCS.
CP expects that such an agreement would be in substantially the form of the merger agreement previously entered into by CP and KCS, which was previously noticed in this docket and reviewed by the Board in connection with its approval of CP’s proposed voting trust agreement.
Accordingly, CP intends to proceed forward with the preparation of its Application in this docket seeking Board authority to acquire control of KCS.
CP believes that pursuing its Application is in the best interests of both KCS and the public so that the pro-competitive CP/KCS transaction can proceed to be reviewed by the Board and – in the event KCS’s agreement with CN is terminated or CN is otherwise unable to acquire control of KCS – a potential acquisition of KCS by CP could be implemented without undue delay, all in accord with the rulings and processes already established by the Board in this docket.
CP looks forward to establishing that its acquisition of control of KCS would be consistent with the public interest.”
This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.
AT&T, Discovery to create global DTC business through Reverse Morris Trust
AT&T (T) and Discovery (DISCA) announced a definitive agreement to combine WarnerMedia’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s nonfiction and international entertainment and sports businesses to create a standalone global entertainment company.
ATT to merge it’s media assets with Discovery
Under the terms of the agreement, which is structured as an all-stock, Reverse Morris Trust transaction, AT&T would receive $43B in a combination of cash, debt securities, and WarnerMedia’s retention of certain debt, and AT&T’s shareholders would receive stock representing 71% of the new company; Discovery shareholders would own 29% of the new company.
The boards of both AT&T and Discovery have approved the transaction.
Discovery to merge with ATT media
Bringing together the leadership teams, content creators, and series and film libraries.
The new company is projected for 2023 revenue of approximately $52B, adjusted EBITDA of approximately $14B, and free cash flow conversion rate of approximately 60%.
The transaction is expected to create at least $3B in expected cost synergies annually for the new company.
The new company will compete globally in the direct-to-consumer business bringing content to DTC subscribers across its portfolio, including HBO Max and the recently launched discovery+.
The transaction will combine WarnerMedia’s content library of IP with Discovery’s global footprint, local-language content and regional expertise across more than 200 countries and territories.
The companies announced that Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav will lead the proposed new company with a management team and operational and creative leadership from both companies.
Discovery’s current multiple classes of shares will be consolidated to a single class with one vote per share.
The new company’s board will consist of 13 members, seven initially appointed by AT&T, including the chairperson of the board; Discovery will initially appoint six members, including CEO David Zaslav.
The combination will be executed through a Reverse Morris Trust, under which WarnerMedia will be spun or split off to AT&T’s shareholders via dividend or through an exchange offer or a combination of both and simultaneously combined with Discovery.
The transaction is expected to be tax-free to AT&T and AT&T’s shareholders. In connection with the spin-off or split-off of WarnerMedia, AT&T will receive $43B in a combination of cash, debt securities and WarnerMedia’s retention of certain debt.
David Zaslav to head the new company
The new company expects to maintain investment grade rating and utilize the significant cash flow of the combined company to rapidly de-lever to approximately 3.0x within 24 months, and to target a new, longer term gross leverage target of 2.5x-3.0x.
WarnerMedia has secured fully committed financing for the purposes of funding the distribution.
The transaction is anticipated to close in mid-2022, subject to approval by Discovery shareholders and customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals.
No vote is required by AT&T shareholders. Agreements are in place with John Malone and Advance to vote in favor of the transaction.
Elliott Management
Elliott Investment Management released a statement on behalf of Managing Partner Jesse Cohn and Portfolio Manager Marc Steinberg regarding AT&T’s plan to merge media assets with Discovery:
Elliott is a major shareholder in ATT
“It has been a transformational year at AT&T year since John Stankey took over as CEO, and today’s announcement represents another impressive step in the Company’s recent evolution.
AT&T has now executed on its promise to streamline operations and re-focus on its core businesses, all while improving operational execution, enhancing its financial position and advancing its corporate governance. As investors, Elliott supports AT&T in its efforts to best position the company for future success.”
This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.
Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 5 to 453 rigs
Baker Hughes (BKR) reports that the U.S. rig count is up 5 from last week to 453 with oil rigs up 8 to 352, gas rigs down 3 to 100, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1.
The U.S. Rig Count is up 114 rigs from last year’s count of 339, with oil rigs up 94 gas rigs up 21 and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 1.
The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is up 2 to 15, up 3 year-over-year.
The Canada Rig Count is up 4 from last week to 59, with oil rigs up 3 to 25, gas rigs up 1 to 34.
The Canada Rig Count is up 36 rigs from last year’s count of 23, with oil rigs up 18, gas rigs up 18.
The Baker Hughes rig counts are counts of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the U.S., Canada and international markets.
The Company has issued the rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of the U.S. and Canadian drilling activity. The monthly international rig count was initiated in 1975.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is up $1.45 to $65.26 per barrel. Brent crude is up $1.54 to $68.60 per barrel. Gasoline last traded at $2.12 per gallon up 3 cents.
This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.
Equity Commonwealth to acquire Monmouth Real Estate for $3.4B
Equity Commonwealth (EQC) and Monmouth Real Estate (MNR) announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement by which Equity Commonwealth will acquire Monmouth in an all-stock transaction, valued at approximately $3.4B, including the assumption of debt.
The combined company is expected to have a pro forma equity market capitalization of approximately $5.5B.
Under the terms of the agreement, Monmouth shareholders will receive 0.67 shares of Equity Commonwealth stock for every share of Monmouth stock they own.
Based on the closing price for Equity Commonwealth on May 4, this represents approximately $19.40 per Monmouth share.
The merger agreement provides for Monmouth to declare and pay one additional regular quarterly common stock dividend of 18c per share without Equity Commonwealth paying a corresponding common dividend to its shareholders.
Accordingly, the total consideration to be received by the Monmouth shareholders in the transaction is $19.58 per Monmouth share.
Equity Commonwealth and Monmouth shareholders are expected to own approximately 65% and 35%, respectively, of the pro forma company following the close of the transaction.
Monmouth’s portfolio is comprised of 120 properties totaling 24.5M square feet. In addition, Monmouth has six properties totaling 1.8M square feet under contract and leased to investment grade tenants.
Closings for these acquisitions are expected in 2021 and 2022.
The company will continue to be led by president and CEO David Helfand and the existing senior management team.
Upon closing, the number of trustees on Equity Commonwealth’s board will be expanded to 10, with two individuals designated by Monmouth’s board.
Sam Zell will remain the chairman of the board of trustees.
The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the common shareholders of both Equity Commonwealth and Monmouth.
Sam Zell to become Chairman of the new company
The board of trustees of Equity Commonwealth and the board of directors of Monmouth Real Estate have each unanimously approved the transaction.
Equity Commonwealth ( EQC) is a Chicago based, internally managed and self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) with commercial office properties in the United States. EQC’s same property portfolio is comprised of 4 properties and 1.5 million square feet.
Monmouth Real Estate Investment specializes in single tenant, net-leased industrial properties, subject to long-term leases, primarily to investment-grade tenants. Monmouth Real Estate is a fully integrated and self-managed real estate company, whose property portfolio consists of 121 properties, containing a total of approximately 24.5 million rentable square feet, geographically diversified across 31 states.ย
This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.
