Bayer Makes Official Takeover Offer For Schering
Leverkusen - The Bayer Group officially published the offer document for the takeover of Schering AG today. As already announced on March 23, 2006, the company is offering EUR 86 for each Schering share. This represents a total transaction value of approximately EUR 16.5 billion. The increase compared with the previously communicated figure of EUR 16.3 billion is primarily attributable to the fact that Schering AG has meanwhile issued shares from its own shareholding for fulfillment of employee options and will likely continue to do so during the validity period of the offer. The offer can be accepted from now until the close of May 31, 2006, and is approximately 61 percent above the unweighted 12-month average price and some 39 percent above the closing price for the Schering share before the first takeover rumors surfaced. "It is thus worthwhile for Schering shareholders to accept our offer," said Bayer Management Board Chairman Werner Wenning. The planned merger of Schering AG and the Bayer pharmaceuticals division will create a new heavyweight of international standing in pharmaceutical specialty products. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Schering AG have favorably assessed the proposal and lent it their support.
According to the offer document, Schering AG shareholders can submit a written letter of acceptance to the bank that administers their securities account by the end of the acceptance period at midnight CEST on May 31, 2006. The additional acceptance period will likely run from June 9 to midnight CEST on June 22, 2006 – however only if the minimum acceptance threshold of 75 percent is already reached by May 31, 2006. Schering shareholders can therefore not rely on definitely being able to accept the Bayer offer during the additional acceptance period. More detailed information – in particular regarding acceptance by holders of Schering ADS (American Depositary Shares) – is available in the offer document.
The purchase price will be paid after the transaction is complete, i.e. after expiration of the acceptance period and fulfillment of all existing conditions. In addition to the minimum acceptance rate of 75 percent, this also includes approval by the EU Commission and the U.S. antitrust authorities.
Shareholders who decide against accepting the takeover offer will retain their Schering shares. Until further notice, these will remain tradable on the stock market even after the transaction. The liquidity and tradability of the Schering share could be impaired, however, depending on the acceptance rate. Significant fluctuations in price are also possible.
Bayer's goal is to acquire 100 percent of Schering AG. Depending on the takeover rate, the Group will consider delisting the Schering share on the German stock exchanges. Schering's stock market listing in Switzerland and registration in the United States in accordance with the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 could be terminated as well, to the extent that this move would be compliant with statutory regulations.
Bayer has approximately EUR 3 billion in liquidity available for financing of the acquisition. In addition, the Group has arranged for interim financing and a syndicated loan of EUR 7 billion each with Credit Suisse and Citigroup. Various equity capital and external capital measures as well as divestments are being planned to repay the interim financing. Approximately EUR 2.3 billion have already been realized through the successful placement of a mandatory convertible bond reaching maturity on June 1, 2009. A corresponding amount of the interim financing will not be used. The equity capital measures should total up to EUR 4 billion. Proceeds from the planned sale of H.C. Starck and Wolff Walsrode in the Bayer MaterialScience division have also been earmarked for repayment of the interim financing.
"The proposed takeover of Schering is in line with out strategic objective to further grow our health care business, especially in the area of pharmaceutical specialty products," commented Wenning. The future subsidiary "Bayer-Schering Pharmaceuticals" will have a balanced and innovative product portfolio and a well-stocked pipeline. The new company will rank among the world's top ten providers of pharmaceutical specialty products. The merger would offer a series of other advantages as well, noted Wenning: "Our decision to establish the headquarters of Bayer-Schering Pharmaceuticals in Berlin will strengthen the capital city's reputation as an innovative location for industry. It is also the best way of reasserting the importance of Germany as a pharmaceutical industry base." The company will once again be living up to its motto "Bayer – Science For A Better Life" with the acquisition of Schering.
SOURCE: The Bayer Group