Tag: Investment

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AppLovin offers to buy Unity!

 ironSource drops as AppLovin’s Unity bid contingent on ironSource deal exit

Shares of ironSource (IS) are down 12%, to $4.16 in Tuesday morning trading after AppLovin (APP) announced it has submitted a non-binding proposal to the board of directors of Unity Software (U) to combine AppLovin with Unity in a stock-based transaction.

Under the terms offered, current Unity shareholders would receive approximately 55% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, with the Class A shares representing approximately 49% of the outstanding voting rights of the combined company.

AppLovin, which markets software platforms for app developers to help them find customers and bring in revenue, is offering gaming platform Unity an alternative to its recently announced a deal to buy IronSource.

The all-stock merger consideration payable in a mix of AppLovin Class A and Class C common stock would value Unity at $58.85 per share and $20B enterprise value, representing a 48% premium to the Unity share price as of July 12 and 18% to yesterday’s closing price based on the closing price of AppLovin’s Class A common stock on August 8, AppLovin stated.

The execution of a definitive merger agreement between AppLovin and Unity would be subject to approval by each company’s board of directors, the termination of the proposed acquisition of ironSource LTD, and other customary signing conditions, the company noted.

Previously, on July 13, Unity and ironSource had announced that they entered into a definitive agreement under which ironSource will merge into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unity via an all-stock deal, where each ordinary share of ironSource will be exchanged for 0.1089 shares of Unity common stock.

Under the terms of that deal, current Unity stockholders will own approximately 73.5% and current ironSource shareholders will own approximately 26.5% of the combined company.

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Eaton Vance sold for $7B

Morgan Stanley to acquire Eaton Vance for $7B in cash, stock transaction

Morgan Stanley (MS) and Eaton Vance (EV) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Morgan Stanley will acquire Eaton Vance for an equity value of approximately $7B.

Eaton Vance sold to Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, or MSIM, will be an asset manager with approximately $1.2T of AUM and over $5B of combined revenues.

The company said MSIM and Eaton Vance are highly complementary with limited overlap in investment and distribution capabilities.

Morgan Stanley buys Eaton Vance for $7B

The combination will also bring Eaton Vance’s U.S. retail distribution together with MSIM’s international distribution.

The combination will position Morgan Stanley to generate financial returns through increased scale, improved distribution, cost savings of $150M and revenue opportunities.

By financing the transaction with 50% cash, Morgan Stanley will utilize approximately 100bps of excess capital, and the firm’s common equity tier 1 ratio is expected to remain approximately 300bps above the firm’s stress capital buffer requirement of 13.2%.

Eaton Vance Corp., through its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, marketing, and management of investment funds in the United States. It also provides investment management and counseling services to institutions and individuals. 

The transaction is expected to be breakeven to earnings per share immediately and marginally accretive thereafter, with fully phased-in cost synergies, and add approximately 100bps to return on tangible common equity.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Eaton Vance shareholders will receive $28.25 per share in cash and 0.5833x of Morgan Stanley common stock, representing a total consideration of approximately $56.50 per share.

Based on the $56.50 per share, the aggregate consideration paid to holders of Eaton Vance’s common stock will consist of approximately 50% cash and 50% Morgan Stanley common stock.

The merger agreement also contains an election procedure allowing each Eaton Vance shareholder to seek all cash or all stock, subject to a proration and adjustment mechanism.

In addition, Eaton Vance common shareholders will receive a one-time special cash dividend of $4.25 per share to be paid pre-closing by Eaton Vance to Eaton Vance common shareholders from existing balance sheet resources.

It is anticipated that the transaction will not be taxable to Eaton Vance shareholders to the extent that they receive Morgan Stanley common stock as consideration.

The transaction has been approved by the voting trust that holds all of the voting common stock of Eaton Vance. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in Q2 of 2021.

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Assurance IQ sold for $2.35 billion

Prudential acquires Assurance IQ for $2.35B plus additional earnout up to $1.5B

Prudential Financial (PRU) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Assurance IQ, “a profitable, fast-growing direct-to-consumer platform that transforms the buying experience for individuals seeking personalized health and financial wellness solutions.”

Prudential Financial (PRU) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Assurance IQ, "a profitable, fast-growing direct-to-consumer platform that transforms the buying experience for individuals seeking personalized health and financial wellness solutions."
Prudential pays $2.35 B for Assurance. Stockwinners

Terms of the acquisition include a total upfront consideration of $2.35 billion, plus an additional earnout of up to $1.15 billion in cash and equity, contingent upon Assurance achieving multi-year growth objectives.

Under the terms of the agreement, Assurance will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential under the U.S. Businesses division.

Prudential buys Assurance IQ for $2.5B, Stockwinners

Assurance co-founders Michael Rowell and Michael Paulus will continue to focus on the growth of Assurance.

Rowell will remain CEO of Assurance and report to Andrew Sullivan, who will assume the role of executive vice president and head of U.S. Businesses as of December 1.

Paulus will remain president of Assurance.

The acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive to EPS and ROE starting in 2020.

In addition to enhancing the growth of Prudential’s financial wellness businesses, the acquisition is expected to generate cost savings of $50 million to $100 million, in addition to the $500 million of expected margin expansion by 2022 discussed at Prudential’s June Investor Day.

Prudential plans to use a combination of its current cash, debt financing and equity to fund the acquisition, which is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2019. Prudential’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction.

Prudential’s Board of Directors has authorized a $500 million increase to its share repurchase authorization for calendar year 2019.

As a result, the share repurchase authorization for the full year 2019 is $2.5 billion.

As of June 30, Prudential had repurchased $1.0 billion of shares of its common stock under this authorization.

Prudential expects to fully utilize this increased share repurchase authorization by the end of 2019.

PRU +$2.21 to $81.85

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Investment Technology Group sold for $1 billion

ITG to be acquired by Virtu Financial for $30.30 per share in cash

Investment Technology Group sold for $1 billion, Stockwinners
Investment Technology Group sold for $1 billion, Stockwinners

Investment Technology Group (ITG) announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for Virtu Financial (VIRT) to acquire all outstanding shares of ITG’s Common Stock for $30.30 per share in cash.

Investment Technology Group, Inc. operates as a financial technology company in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.

Virtu Financial, Inc.  provides market making and liquidity services through its proprietary, multi-asset, and multi-currency technology platform to the financial markets worldwide.

The price represents a premium of more than 40% over ITG’s average closing share price of $21.55 in the 30 days prior to news reports of a potential sale on October 4, 2018.

Minder Cheng, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “ITG has made tremendous progress in executing on its Strategic Operating Plan over the past two years, and the agreement with Virtu is a result of the dedicated efforts of our management team and employees.

After careful consideration, ITG’s Board of Directors determined that the proposal from Virtu, which provides an immediate and significant cash premium, offers the most value for ITG stockholders. The combination of Virtu and ITG will create an industry-leading financial technology franchise with true global capabilities and scale.” J.P. Morgan is serving as the financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is providing legal counsel to ITG.

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ConvergeOne sold for $1.8 billion

ConvergeOne to be acquired by CVC for $12.50 per share

ConvergeOne sold for $1.8 billion, Stockwinners
ConvergeOne sold for $1.8 billion, Stockwinners

ConvergeOne Holdings (CVON) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of CVC Fund VII in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.8B.

ConvergeOne Holdings, Inc. provides collaboration and technology solutions for large and medium enterprises in the United States. The company offers unified communications solutions, including communications applications, such as voice, email, presence, chat/text, and video technologies; voice and text messaging solutions; mobility and bring your own device solutions for business continuity with the seamless connection of mobile, landline, cellular, and Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, ConvergeOne expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2018 or the first quarter of 2019.

ConvergeOne will maintain its corporate headquarters in Eagan, MN and continue to be led by its current executive team.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, affiliates of CVC will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of the company in an all-cash transaction valued at $12.50 per share of common stock of the company, representing a 35% premium to the thirty-day VWAP prior to October 25, 2018 and representing over a 56% premium to the closing price on ConvergeOne’s debut date on the Nasdaq on February 23.

John McKenna Jr., Chairman and CEO of ConvergeOne commented, “Today’s announcement is a tremendous accomplishment for ConvergeOne and highlights the continued success of the Company. We are extremely proud of the ConvergeOne team, and we truly appreciate our phenomenal partnership with Clearlake and our other shareholders that has resulted in significant value creation. Our team is thrilled to partner with CVC to execute on the compelling growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving collaboration and technology services market.”

CVON closed at $9.43.

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Peoples Natural Gas sold for $4.28 billion

Aqua America to acquire Peoples in all-cash transaction for $4.28B

Peoples Natural Gas sold for $4.28 billion, Stockwinners
Peoples Natural Gas sold for $4.28 billion, Stockwinners

Aqua America (WTR) announced it will acquire Peoples in an all-cash transaction that reflects an enterprise value of $4.275B, which includes the assumption of approximately $1.3B of debt.

This acquisition marks the creation of a new infrastructure company that will be uniquely positioned to have a powerful impact on improving the nation’s infrastructure reliability, quality of life and economic prosperity.

Peoples consists of Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, Peoples Gas Company LLC and Delta Natural Gas Company Inc.

The multi-platform entity brings together the second-largest U.S. water utility and fifth-largest U.S. stand-alone natural gas local distribution company and will serve 1.74 million customer connections, which represent approximately 5 million people.

In 2019, the new company will have approximately $10.8 billion in assets and a projected U.S. regulated rate base of over $7.2 billion.

The transaction is not expected to have any impact on rates.

The combined enterprise will be among the largest publicly traded water utilities and natural gas local distribution companies in the U.S., uniquely positioned to meaningfully contribute to the nation’s natural gas and water infrastructure reliability.

The transaction will bring together two companies that each have more than 130 years of service and proven track records of operational efficiency, complementary service territories and strong regulatory compliance.

Aqua will acquire Peoples from infrastructure funds managed by Sausalito, California-based SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners.

The resulting company will be well positioned to grow and generate shareholder value through increased scale, a balanced portfolio and stable capital structure.

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Toyota enters self-driving car services

Toyota, SoftBank agree to form JV for self-driving car services

Toyota enters self-driving car services, Stockwinners
Toyota enters self-driving car services, Stockwinners

Shares of Toyota (TM) are in focus on Thursday after the company announced plans to team up with SoftBank (SFTBF) to develop self-driving car services.

The news follows an announcement from General Motors (GM) on Wednesday that Honda (HMC) will invest $2.75B and take a 5.7% stake in its Cruise self-driving vehicle unit, in which SoftBank is also an investor.

TOYOTA, SOFTBANK TO FORM JV

Toyota announced in a statement that it and SoftBank will form a joint venture called MONET, short for mobility network, to develop businesses that will use driverless-car technology to offer new services, such as mobile convenience stores and delivery vehicles in which food is prepared en route.

MONET will provide coordination between Toyota’s Mobility Services Platform, Toyota’s information infrastructure for connected vehicles, and SoftBank’s Internet of Things Platform, which was built to create new value from the collection and analysis of data acquired from smartphones and sensor devices, the companies said.

MONET will roll out an autonomous driving service using e-Palette, Toyota’s dedicated battery electric vehicle for mobility services, by the second half of the 2020s, Toyota and SoftBank added.

The venture will have initial capital of Y2B, and SoftBank will own just over half of the business, which will initially focus on Japan and eventually go global, according to a Reuters report.

Junichi Miyakawa, chief technology officer at SoftBank who will be CEO of the new company, commented that “SoftBank alone and automakers alone can’t do everything… We want to work to help people with limited access to transportation.”

WHAT’S NOTABLE

Earlier this year, Toyota set up a new company dedicated to the research and development of self-driving vehicles, with plans to invest $2.8 billion to develop a commercially viable autonomous car.

RECENT PARTNERSHIPS IN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

On Wednesday, Cruise and GM announced that they partnered with Honda to work towards large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicle technology.

Honda will work jointly with Cruise and General Motors to fund and develop a purpose-built autonomous vehicle for Cruise that can serve a wide variety of use cases and be manufactured at high volume for global deployment.

Honda will contribute approximately $2B over 12 years to these initiatives, which, together with a $750M equity investment in Cruise, brings its total commitment to the project to $2.75B.

SoftBank’s Vision Fund committed $2.3B to Cruise earlier this year.

Additionally, Renault (RNSDF)-Nissan (NSANY) and Daimler (DDAIF) are considering expanding their collaboration to battery and autonomous vehicle technology as well as mobility services, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing comments made by the CEOs of both companies.

“The industry being in transformation in the area of connectivity, autonomous cars and connected services, there are plenty of areas of cooperation for our entities,” Renault Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said.

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Dun & Bradstreet sold for $6.9 billion

Dun & Bradstreet to be acquired by investor group for $145 per share cash

Dun & Bradstreet sold for $6.9 billion, Stockwinners
Dun & Bradstreet sold for $6.9 billion, Stockwinners

Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by CC Capital, Cannae Holdings and funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., along with a group of other distinguished investors.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Dun & Bradstreet’s Board of Directors, Dun & Bradstreet shareholders will receive $145.00 in cash for each share of common stock they own, in a transaction valued at $6.9 billion including the assumption of $1.5 billion of Dun & Bradstreet’s net debt and net pension obligations.

The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 30% over Dun & Bradstreet’s closing share price of $111.63 on February 12, 2018, the last day of trading prior to Dun & Bradstreet’s announcement of a strategic review and an indication of its willingness to consider all options for value creation.

The transaction is expected to close within six months, subject to Dun & Bradstreet shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions.

The Dun & Bradstreet Board is unanimously recommending that shareholders vote to adopt the merger agreement at an upcoming special meeting of the shareholders.

Upon the completion of the transaction, Dun & Bradstreet will become a privately held company and shares of Dun & Bradstreet common stock will no longer be listed on any public market.

DNB closed at $122.80.

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ResTORbio higher on data

ResTORbio announces ‘positive’ topline results in Phase 2b trial of RTB101

ResTORbio higher on data, Stockwinners
ResTORbio higher on data, Stockwinners

ResTORbio (TORC) announced positive topline results from its dose-ranging Phase 2b clinical trial that enrolled 652 elderly patients at increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory tract infections.

In this trial, RTB101, an oral, selective, and potent inhibitor of target of rapamycin complex 1, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the percentage of patients with one or more laboratory-confirmed RTIs during the 16-week treatment period compared to placebo, the primary endpoint of the study, with the 10 mg once daily dose.

Greater TORC1 inhibition with RTB101 10 mg in combination with everolimus 0.1 mg did not meet the primary endpoint, suggesting that that less TORC1 inhibition with RTB101 10 mg once daily may have greater benefit in high-risk elderly patients.

The Phase 2b trial was a two-part, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted during the winter cold and flu season in the southern hemisphere and northern hemisphere.

Patients enrolled were those at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from RTIs including patients who were: 85 years of age or older, or 65 years of age or older with asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or current smokers.

The doses investigated in Part 1 were RTB101 5 mg and RTB101 10 mg once daily. The doses investigated in Part 2 were RTB101 10 mg once daily, RTB101 10 mg twice daily and RTB101 10 mg in combination with everolimus 0.1 mg once daily.

The following was observed in an analysis of the primary endpoint: A 30.6% decrease relative to placebo in the percentage of all patients treated with RTB101 10 mg once daily who developed one or more laboratory-confirmed RTs. A 20.6% decrease relative to placebo in the percentage of all patients treated with RTB101 5 mg once daily who developed one or more laboratory-confirmed RTIs.

No decrease relative to placebo in the percentage of patients treated with either RTB101 10 mg twice daily or the combination of RTB101 10 mg + everolimus 0.1 mg once daily who developed one or more laboratory-confirmed RTIs, suggesting that less TORC1 inhibition with RTB101 10 mg once daily may have greater benefit in high-risk elderly patients.

To better understand the activity observed in the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort, a pre-specified analysis of each patient subgroup enrolled in the study was conducted.

The following decreases in the percentage of patients with laboratory-confirmed RTIs were observed in the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort as compared to the placebo cohort: A 68.4% decrease in all asthma patients.

A 66.7% decrease in all patients 85 years of age and older. A 26.9% decrease in all T2DM patients.

No decrease was observed in either COPD patients or current smokers; a 42.0% decrease in all patients was observed when excluding patients with COPD and a 43.9% decrease in all patients was observed when excluding current smokers.

All doses were observed to be well-tolerated. Data from the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort are as follows: Adverse events were balanced between the RTB101 10 mg once daily and placebo treatment groups. 4.5% of subjects in the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort and 7.2% of subjects in the placebo cohort had a serious adverse event, none of which were considered related to study drug. 4.5% of subjects in the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort and 6.1% of subjects in the placebo cohort discontinued study drug due to an AE.

All AEs were mild or moderate except for 11 severe AEs in the RTB101 10 mg once daily cohort and 22 severe AEs in the placebo cohort.

TORC closed at $9.01, it last traded at $24.49.

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21st Century Fox boosts it’s offer for Sky

21st Century Fox boosts offer for Sky to GBP 14 or $32.5B 

21st Century Fox boosts it's offer for Sky , Stockwinners
21st Century Fox boosts it’s offer for Sky , Stockwinners

21st Century Fox (FOXA) and the Independent Committee of Sky PLC (SKYAY) announced that they have reached agreement on an increased recommended pre-conditional cash offer for the fully diluted share capital of Sky which Fox and its affiliates do not already own at a price of GBP 14.00 for each Sky share.

The price of GBP 14.00 per Sky share represents an increase of approximately 12% to the Comcast (CMCSA) offer price of GBP 12.50 per Sky share announced on April 25, Fox says in a statement.

Under the terms of the increased offer, Sky shareholders will be entitled to receive for each Sky share GBP 14.00 in cash.

The increased price includes an amount in lieu of a final dividend in respect of the financial year ended June 30, 2018.

It is intended that the acquisition will be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under applicable U.K. law.

The Sky Independent Committee announced that it intends to unanimously recommend that the Sky shareholders unaffiliated with 21st Century Fox vote in favor of the scheme and take no action in relation to the Comcast offer.

Fox currently anticipates that the acquisition will complete in Q3 of 2018.

Fox added that the Sky acquisition is not a condition to completion of the Disney (DIS) transaction.

Completion of the Sky acquisition will not affect the amount or form of consideration that stockholders of 21st Century Fox receive in the Disney deal, it said.

“We strongly believe that a combined 21CF and Sky will be a powerful driver for the continued growth and vibrancy of the UK and broader global creative industries.

The enhanced scale and capabilities of the combination will enrich Sky’s ability to continue on its mission for years to come, especially at a time of dynamic change in our industry.

This transformative transaction will position Sky so that it can continue to compete within an environment that now includes some of the largest companies in the world, but none of whom have demonstrated the same local depth of investment and commitment to the UK and to Europe,” added Fox.

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Spero Therapeutics higher on data

Spero says clinical data demonstrates SPR994 to be well-tolerated 

Spero Therapeutics higher on data, Stockwinners
Spero Therapeutics higher on data, Stockwinners

Spero Therapeutics (SPRO) reported positive results from an interim analysis of its ongoing single ascending dose and multiple ascending dose Phase 1 clinical trial of SPR994, its investigational oral carbapenem product candidate designed for the treatment of Gram-negative infections, in healthy volunteers.

The data demonstrate that SPR994 has a favorable safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile that supports the advancement of SPR994 to a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial at a 300 mg dose administered three times per day.

The Phase 1 clinical trial of SPR994 is assessing the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of orally administered SPR994.

Interim Phase 1 results from the SAD portion of the trial demonstrate SPR994 to be well tolerated at doses ranging from 100 mg to 900 mg daily, with linear human pharmacokinetics over the dose range tested.

The data also show that the mean free drug plasma concentrations of tebipenem, the active metabolite of SPR994, remained above the MIC90 for the relevant bacterial pathogens for greater than 50% of an 8-hour dosing interval, consistent with the targeted therapeutic range observed in Spero’s hollow fiber experiments.

The pharmacokinetic profile of SPR994 observed to date in both the SAD and MAD portions of the trial provides evidence supporting SPR994’s administration without regard to meals.

Urine concentration data support the use of SPR994 to treat cUTI, with peak urine concentrations 100-fold higher than maximum concentrations in plasma.

No serious adverse events have been reported in the Phase 1 clinical trial to date.

Oral administration of SPR994 has been well tolerated at all doses tested and results are consistent with available clinical and post-marketing data for Orapenem and other approved IV carbapenem antibiotics.

Orapenem is currently approved in Japan for the treatment of pediatric infections and has the same orally bioavailable active ingredient as SPR994.

To date, the Phase 1 clinical trial has enrolled 115 healthy adult volunteers into 14 SAD cohorts and 1 MAD cohort. The SAD portion of the Phase 1 clinical trial is evaluating formulations of SPR994 at single doses ranging from 100 mg to 900 mg daily.

The MAD portion of the trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of SPR994 administered orally to healthy volunteers for 14 days.

The initial MAD cohort received 300 mg of SPR994 administered three times per day and the MAD portion of the trial will continue to dose escalate to determine the maximum tolerated dose.

SPRO closed at $16.89, it last traded at $18.21.

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Amazon.com launches new delivery business

Amazon.com launches new offering to help entrepreneurs start delivery businesses

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Amazon.com launches new delivery business

Amazon (AMZN) announced the launch of a new offering that helps entrepreneurs build their own companies delivering Amazon packages.

Amazon will take an active role in helping interested entrepreneurs start, set up and manage their own delivery business.

Successful owners can earn as much as $300,000 in annual profit operating a fleet of up to 40 delivery vehicles.

Individual owners can build their business knowing they will have delivery volume from Amazon, access to the company’s sophisticated delivery technology, hands-on training, and discounts on a suite of assets and services, including vehicle leases and comprehensive insurance.

Over time, Amazon will empower hundreds of new, small business owners to hire tens of thousands of delivery drivers across the U.S., joining a robust existing community of traditional carriers, as well as small-and-medium-sized businesses that already employ thousands of drivers delivering Amazon packages.

The offering provides technology and operational support to individuals with little to no logistics experience the opportunity to run their own delivery business.

To help keep startup costs as low as $10,000, entrepreneurs will also have access to a variety of exclusively negotiated discounts on important resources they’ll need to operate a delivery business.

The deals are available on Amazon-branded vehicles customized for delivery, branded uniforms, fuel, comprehensive insurance coverage, and more.

Amazon is constantly looking for hands-on leaders who think big and deliver results for our customers. These principles are very familiar to those who have served our country in the armed forces.

The company is committing $1M towards funding startup costs for military veterans, offering $10,000 reimbursements for qualified candidates to build their own businesses.

AMZN closed at $1,660.51.

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Pinnacle Foods sold for $10.9B in cash

Conagra Brands to acquire Pinnacle Foods for $10.9B in cash  and stock

 

Pinnacle Foods sold for $10.9B in cash , Stockwinners

Conagra Brands (CAG) and Pinnacle Foods (PF) announced that their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Conagra Brands will acquire all outstanding shares of Pinnacle Foods in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $10.9B, including Pinnacle Foods’ outstanding net debt.

Under the terms of the transaction, Pinnacle Foods shareholders will receive $43.11 per share in cash and 0.6494 shares of Conagra Brands common stock for each share of Pinnacle Foods held.

The implied price of $68.00 per Pinnacle Foods share is based on the volume-weighted average price of Conagra Brands’ stock for the five days ended June 21, 2018.

The purchase price reflects an adjusted EBITDA multiple of 15.8x, based on Pinnacle Foods’ estimated fiscal year 2018 results excluding synergies, and 12.1x adjusted EBITDA including run-rate cost synergies.

The combination of two growing portfolios of iconic brands will serve as a catalyst to accelerate value creation for shareholders.

The transaction will enhance Conagra Brands’ multi-year transformation plan and expand its presence and capabilities in its most strategic categories, including frozen foods and snacks.

With annual net sales in excess of $3B, Pinnacle Foods’ portfolio of frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable products includes such well-known brands as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Earth Balance, EVOL, Erin’s, Gardein, Glutino, Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips, Hungry-Man, Log Cabin, Tim’s Cascade Snacks, Udi’s, Vlasic and Wish-Bone, among others.

Based on both companies’ latest fiscal year results, pro forma net sales would have been approximately $11B.

Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Pinnacle Foods common stock will be converted into the right to receive $43.11 per share in cash and 0.6494 shares of Conagra Brands common stock.

Conagra Brands has secured $9B in fully committed bridge financing from affiliates of Goldman Sachs Group (GS).

The $10.9B purchase price is expected to be financed with $3B of Conagra Brands equity issued to Pinnacle Foods shareholders and $7.9B in cash consideration funded with $7.3B of transaction debt and approximately $600M of incremental cash proceeds from a public equity offering and/or divestitures.

On a pro forma basis, Pinnacle Foods shareholders are expected to own approximately 16% of the combined company, assuming issuance of the incremental equity to the public.

Following the transaction, Conagra Brands’ pro forma net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is expected to be approximately 5.0x. Conagra Brands is committed to maintaining a solid investment grade credit rating and targeting a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 3.5x.

Conagra Brands intends to maintain its quarterly dividend at the current annual rate of $0.85 per share during fiscal 2019.

In the future, it expects modest dividend increases while it focuses on deleveraging, subject to the approval of its board of directors.

The company also plans to repurchase shares under its authorized program only at times and in amounts as is consistent with the prioritization of achieving its leverage targets.

Pinnacle Foods will continue to pay its quarterly dividend at the current annual rate of $1.30 per share until the transaction is completed. The transaction is expected to close by the end of calendar 2018, subject to the approval of Pinnacle Foods shareholders, the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

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GE to spin off several divisions

  • GE Healthcare to become standalone company

  • GE plans to fully separate Baker Hughes

GE introduces new company AiRXOS, Stockwinners
GE to spin off several of its divisions

GE (GE) announced the results of its strategic review.

GE will focus on Aviation, Power and Renewable Energy, creating a simpler, stronger, leading high-tech Industrial company.

In addition to the pending combination of its Transportation business with Wabtec, GE plans to separate GE Healthcare into a standalone company, pursue an orderly separation from BHGE (BHGE) over the next two to three years, make its corporate structure leaner and substantially reduce debt.

GE’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the plans announced today.

GE is making fundamental changes to how it will run the company.

The new GE Operating System will result in a smaller corporate headquarters focused primarily on strategy, capital allocation, talent and governance.

It will result in better execution, increased speed and is expected to generate at least $500 million in corporate savings by the end of 2020.

Under the new GE Operating System, most resources and services traditionally held at the headquarters level will be realigned to the businesses. GE is targeting an Industrial net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of less than 2.5 times and a long-term A credit rating.

GE also plans to reduce Industrial net debt by approximately $25 billion by 2020 and maintain more than $15 billion of cash on the balance sheet.

GE expects to maintain its current quarterly dividend, subject to Board approval, until GE Healthcare is established as an independent entity.

At that time, the new GE Healthcare Board of Directors will determine GE Healthcare’s dividend policy, which GE expects to reflect healthcare industry practices.

Also at that time, the GE Board expects to adjust the GE dividend with a target dividend policy in line with industrial peers. Kieran Murphy, president and CEO of GE Healthcare, will continue to lead GE Healthcare as a standalone company, maintaining the GE brand.

GE expects to generate cash from the disposition of approximately 20% of its interest in the Healthcare business and to distribute the remaining 80% to GE shareholders through a tax-free distribution.

The structure, sequence and timing of these transactions will be determined and announced at a later date, but are expected to be completed over the next 12 to 18 months.

GE Healthcare will conduct business as usual throughout this process, continuing to serve its partners and customers.

GE plans to fully separate its 62.5% interest in BHGE in an orderly manner over the next two to three years. BHGE’s full stream offering brings together equipment, services and digital solutions to help its customers be more productive-a unique and powerful value proposition in a changing market.

The separation will provide BHGE with enhanced agility and the ability to focus on leading in the oil and gas industry.

Shares of the former DJIA component closed at $12.75.

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Disney raises its offer for 21st Century Fox to $38 per share

Disney boosts offer for 21st Century Fox assets to $38 per share

Disney raises its offer for 21st Century Fox to $38 per share

Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) announced that it has entered into an amended and restated merger agreement with Walt Disney (DIS) pursuant to which Disney has agreed to acquire for a price of $38 per 21CF share the same businesses Disney agreed to acquire under the previously announced merger agreement between 21CF and Disney.

This price represents a “significant increase” over the purchase price of approximately $28 per share included in the Disney merger agreement when it was announced in December 2017.

The amended and restated Disney merger agreement offers a package of consideration, flexibility and deal certainty enhancements that is superior to the proposal made by the Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) on June 13, Fox stated.

Under the amended and restated Disney merger agreement, Disney would acquire those businesses on substantially the same terms, except that, among other things, Disney’s offer allows 21CF stockholders to elect to receive their consideration, on a value equalized basis, in the form of cash or stock, subject to 50/50 proration.

The collar on the stock consideration will ensure that 21st Century Fox shareholders will receive a number of Disney shares equal to $38 in value if the average Disney stock price at closing is between $93.53 and $114.32.

In light of the revised terms contained in the amended and restated Disney Merger Agreement, 21CF’s board, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, has not concluded that the unsolicited proposal it received on June 13, 2018 from Comcast could reasonably be expected to result in a “Company Superior Proposal” under the Disney merger agreement.

However, the amended and restated Disney merger agreement contains no changes to the provisions relating to the company’s directors’ ability to evaluate a competing proposal.

As announced on May 30, 2018, 21CF has established a record date of May 29, 2018 and a meeting date of July 10, 2018, for a special meeting of its stockholders to, among other things, consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Disney merger agreement.

21CF has determined to postpone its special meeting of stockholders to a future date in order to provide stockholders the opportunity to evaluate the terms of Disney’s revised proposal and other developments to date.

Once 21CF determines the new date for 21CF’s special meeting of stockholders, the date will be communicated to 21CF stockholders.

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