Swedish Match investors divided over Philip Morris bid

LONDON, Could 13 (Reuters) – Some Swedish Match (SWMA.ST) traders are divided about regardless of whether Philip Morris’ $16 billion present for the Stockholm-centered corporation (SWMA.ST) is great benefit for just one of the world’s most important makers of oral nicotine products and solutions.

The Marlboro maker agreed on Wednesday to obtain Swedish Match in a guess on the expanding sector for cigarette alternate options. Swedish Match has proposed shareholders acknowledge the provide.

“The offer is definitely a healthier top quality to where by the firm was buying and selling. It really is a pretty healthy multiple in general,” stated Kevin Dreyer, co-main investment officer, price, at GAMCO Traders Inc, Swedish Match’s 10th most significant investor.

Not all people agrees.

On Wednesday, Sydney, Australia-centered Bronte Cash, which reported it owns about 1% of Swedish Match, complained that the determine undervalued the team. read a lot more

John Hempton, co-founder of the hedge fund, said he had been contacted by numerous shareholders opposing the offer possibly simply because the selling price was too low or mainly because they want the business to remain as it is.

Analysts at Barclays also claimed the give cost was much too very low.

“Provided the option Philip Morris sees in Swedish Match, we believe Swedish Match’s shareholders could get a better selling price,” they mentioned in a investigation note.

Philip Morris’s interest in the company highlights the urgency among cigarette-makers to tap new and probably fewer unsafe possibilities. read much more

Swedish Match’s merchandise consist of Zyn nicotine pouches, which are tobacco-absolutely free and speedily growing in level of popularity in the United States and Scandinavia.

Dreyer mentioned the enterprise could draw in desire from a rival bidder this kind of as Japan Tobacco (2914.T) but thinks it is feasible that Philip Morris could carry its provide if wanted.

“Philip Morris has really deep pockets and will be a challenging organization to out-bid,” he claimed.

Philip Morris, JTI and Swedish Match declined to remark.

Some investors consider the U.S. enterprise needs to increase its provide to triumph no matter of irrespective of whether a rival supply materializes.

“I be expecting the offer is heading to die,” explained Hempton.

Some others feel the present-day present will probably suffice but you should not rule out an improve.

“Might PMI have to ultimately give some form of sweetener?,” asked Dreyer. “I wouldn’t say possible, but it is really surely possible.”

Reporting by Richa Naidu. Supplemental reporting by Marie Mannes editing by David Evans, Matt Scuffham, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Barbara Lewis

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