(Reuters) – Canadian convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (ATDb.TO) approached Caltex Australia (CTX.AX) with a sweetened A$8.61 billion ($5.8 billion) offer, a day after the Australian firm said it could carve out some of its convenience shop sites.
Caltex said on Tuesday that Couche-Tard made an indicative A$34.50 a share offer, a nearly 16% premium to the petrol pump and convenience store operator’s last closing price, and 7% higher than the A$32 per share offer it previously received from the Canadian company.
Caltex is under pressure to turn around its business as it struggles with weak consumer demand and margin pressure from higher oil prices. It was reviewing its retail sites after reporting in August that half-year profit more than halved.
Couche-Tard’s previous offer had not been disclosed before Tuesday and Caltex called it “inadequate”. It said discussions with Couche-Tard on the higher offer were at an early stage, adding that the proposal was conditional and there was no certainty that the talks would result in a transaction.
Couche-Tard was not reachable for comment outside regular business hours.
The new offer allows for Caltex to pay a special dividend but restricts Caltex from selling assets, potentially hampering the company’s plans for an initial public offering of up to 49% of its 250 convenience retail sites that it announced on Monday.
“The split of property assets from the operational aspects of the business was clearly aimed at the bidder and forced them to come back with a better offer,” said Michael McCarthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets and Stockbroking.
Caltex shares jumped 12.7% to their highest level in 15 months to A$33.56.
Caltex said the IPO was not related to the Couche-Tard’s new proposal and that it would pursue that plan.
Terry Couper, a senior equities analyst at Airlie Funds Management, Caltex’s third-largest shareholder with a 4.8% stake, told Reuters the new offer undervalued Caltex’s retail property and the “privileged position” of its fuel assets.
However, Airlie said it was pleased that the board was considering different alternatives.
If the deal materialises, it would mark Couche-Tard’s first foray into Australia, and its largest deal, according to Refinitiv data.
UBS and Grant Samuel are advising Caltex on the proposal.
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Home » Analysis & Comment » Canada's Couche-Tard sweetens proposal for Caltex Australia, offers $5.8 billion
Canada's Couche-Tard sweetens proposal for Caltex Australia, offers $5.8 billion
(Reuters) – Canadian convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (ATDb.TO) approached Caltex Australia (CTX.AX) with a sweetened A$8.61 billion ($5.8 billion) offer, a day after the Australian firm said it could carve out some of its convenience shop sites.
Caltex said on Tuesday that Couche-Tard made an indicative A$34.50 a share offer, a nearly 16% premium to the petrol pump and convenience store operator’s last closing price, and 7% higher than the A$32 per share offer it previously received from the Canadian company.
Caltex is under pressure to turn around its business as it struggles with weak consumer demand and margin pressure from higher oil prices. It was reviewing its retail sites after reporting in August that half-year profit more than halved.
Couche-Tard’s previous offer had not been disclosed before Tuesday and Caltex called it “inadequate”. It said discussions with Couche-Tard on the higher offer were at an early stage, adding that the proposal was conditional and there was no certainty that the talks would result in a transaction.
Couche-Tard was not reachable for comment outside regular business hours.
The new offer allows for Caltex to pay a special dividend but restricts Caltex from selling assets, potentially hampering the company’s plans for an initial public offering of up to 49% of its 250 convenience retail sites that it announced on Monday.
“The split of property assets from the operational aspects of the business was clearly aimed at the bidder and forced them to come back with a better offer,” said Michael McCarthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets and Stockbroking.
Caltex shares jumped 12.7% to their highest level in 15 months to A$33.56.
Caltex said the IPO was not related to the Couche-Tard’s new proposal and that it would pursue that plan.
Terry Couper, a senior equities analyst at Airlie Funds Management, Caltex’s third-largest shareholder with a 4.8% stake, told Reuters the new offer undervalued Caltex’s retail property and the “privileged position” of its fuel assets.
However, Airlie said it was pleased that the board was considering different alternatives.
If the deal materialises, it would mark Couche-Tard’s first foray into Australia, and its largest deal, according to Refinitiv data.
UBS and Grant Samuel are advising Caltex on the proposal.
Source: Read Full Article