Further to the announcement by Smurfit Kappa Group plc (“Smurfit Kappa”), International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) confirms that it has submitted a proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Smurfit Kappa (the “Proposal”). Under the terms of the Proposal, Smurfit Kappa shareholders would be entitled to receive €22.00 in cash and 0.3028 new International Paper shares of common stock for each Smurfit Kappa ordinary share held by them.
Based on International Paper’s closing share price of $58.94 as at 5 March 2018 and a €:$ exchange rate of €1:$1.2343, the Proposal values each Smurfit Kappa ordinary share at €36.46. This represents a premium of approximately:
•27.4 per cent. to Smurfit Kappa’s closing share price of €28.62 on 5 March 2018 (being the last business day prior to the release of the announcement);
•28.4 per cent. to Smurfit Kappa’s volume weighted average share price of €28.41 since its Full Year Results on 7 February 2018;
•30.2 per cent. to Smurfit Kappa’s closing share price of €28.00 on 13 February 2018 (being the last business day prior to International Paper’s initial approach to Smurfit Kappa); and
•22.5 per cent. to Smurfit Kappa’s all-time high share price of €29.76 on 20 February 2018.
In aggregate, the Proposal values Smurfit Kappa’s current issued share capital at approximately €8.6 billion and would provide Smurfit Kappa shareholders with a shareholding of approximately 15 per cent. in International Paper post-completion (calculated by reference to the number of International Paper shares of common stock in issue as at 5 March 2018).
International Paper notes the comments that Smurfit Kappa believes the Proposal is highly opportunistic. Given that Smurfit Kappa announced record EBITDA on 7 February 2018 and recorded an all-time high share price of €29.76 on 20 February 2018, International Paper does not agree with this characterisation. Indeed, by submitting the Proposal after the release of Smurfit Kappa’s Full Year Results and the Medium term Outlook (“MTO”), International Paper was able to take account of this information (and the market’s reaction to it) when making its approach. Moreover, International Paper believes that the Proposal provides Smurfit Kappa shareholders with the opportunity to crystalise value for their holdings in the near term (via the Proposal’s cash component) and also retain ongoing upside in the value creation of the transaction (via the Proposal’s share component).
International Paper believes that the transaction, if consummated, would be an excellent strategic fit that creates long-term value for both Smurfit Kappa and International Paper. The enlarged group would constitute a premier global packaging company that would be able to serve both local and global customers more effectively. The transaction would also create an opportunity to realise meaningful synergies through enhanced efficiencies.
International Paper takes a disciplined approach to acquisitions with clearly defined strategic and financial criteria. Any offer would have to meet our objectives of earnings per share accretion, free cash flow generation and a return on invested capital exceeding International Paper’s weighted average cost of capital, while enabling International Paper to remain committed to a strong balance sheet over the long term.
more at: http://internationalpaper2015.q4web.com/news-releases/press-r/2018/International-Paper-Company-Statement-Regarding-Possible-Offer-for-Smurfit-Kappa-Group-plc/default.aspx