Merger activity increased last week with two new deals announced and nine pending deals closing. You can find all the active deals listed below in our Merger Arbitrage Tool (MAT) that automatically updates itself during market hours.
The acquisition of MedEquities Realty Trust (MRT) by Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI) for $600 million in a cash plus stock deal. Under the terms of the agreement, MedEquities stockholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.235 Omega common shares plus $2.00 in cash for each share of MedEquities common stock held by them. We added MRT as a potential deal to the Deals in the Works section on August 15, 2018 and the price after the news of the potential deal came out was $10.33.
The acquisition of Celgene Corporation (CELG) by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) for $74 billion in a cash plus stock deal. Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene shareholders will receive 1.0 Bristol-Myers Squibb share and $50.00 in cash for each share of Celgene. Celgene shareholders will also receive one tradeable Contingent Value Right (CVR) for each share of Celgene, which will entitle the holder to receive a payment for the achievement of future regulatory milestones.
It was interesting to see that the spread for the Celgene deal was more than 18% on the day it was announced even without considering the CVR. On Friday, the spread narrowed to 14.12% in exuberant market conditions.
On January 3, 2019, Hydro One Limited and Avista Corporation (AVA) received a regulatory decision from the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, denying the proposed merger of the two companies. The companies are disappointed in the Commission’s decision, are reviewing the order in detail and will determine the appropriate next steps.
On January 3, 2019, Staples and Essendant (ESND) announced that, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, affiliates of Staples, have extended the expiration time of the previously announced tender offer for all outstanding shares of Essendant’s common stock to January 9, 2019. The parties expect the merger to close in early 2019.
On January 4, 2019, Ready Capital Corporation (RC) announced that it has set February 28, 2019 as the record date for the special meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the previously announced definitive merger agreement with Owens Realty Mortgage (ORM).
Disclaimer: I hold positions in Athenahealth (ATHN), Finisar (FNSR) and Pandora (P). Please do your own due diligence before buying or selling any securities mentioned in this article. We do not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the content or data provided in this article.