The planned merger of Wabtec and GE Transportation, a business unit of GE, is expected to close by the end of February 2019, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. At closing, Wabtec plans to report its 2018 fourth quarter and full year results, and to provide 2019 financial guidance for the combined company. Together, Wabtec and GE Transportation will create a stronger, more diversified transportation and logistics company.
Under the terms of the modified arrangements, which have been approved by Wabtec’s board and by the Finance and Capital Allocation Committee of the GE board, GE will complete the spin-off of a portion of GE Transportation to GE shareholders and immediately thereafter merge GE Transportation into a wholly owned subsidiary of Wabtec. Upon closing, Wabtec shareholders will own approximately 50.8 percent of Wabtec on a fully diluted basis, compared to approximately 49.9 percent under the previous terms. GE shareholders will directly own approximately 24.3% of Wabtec on a fully diluted basis and GE will own common stock and non-voting convertible preferred stock which together represent approximately a 24.9 percent economic interest in Wabtec on a fully diluted basis, up from the 9.9 percent stake that GE would have owned under the originally announced transaction terms. GE will also receive approximately $2.9 billion in cash at closing, as announced in May. In aggregate, Wabtec will issue 3.3 million fewer shares than originally contemplated. Under this modified structure, the spin-off will be considered a taxable dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
GE will sell down its interest in Wabtec subject to certain staggered lock-up provisions and size constraints designed to facilitate an orderly disposition of its shares. The GE interest is valued at $3.4 billion based on Wabtec’s current market stock price of $71.03. No sales can be made for 30 days post-closing, and GE must complete all sales before the third anniversary of the merger closing, subject to limited exceptions for market conditions.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in GE’s portfolio transformation. With the increase in GE’s stake in Wabtec, and increased proceeds as we sell down this stake, this transaction will further strengthen our balance sheet and support our de-leveraging plan,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE. “The combined business will be better positioned with an improved business mix and enhanced opportunities for faster innovation in key growth areas.”
Raymond T. Betler, president and CEO of Wabtec, said: “We believe the modified terms enhance the benefits of the merger to our shareholders and are working to complete it quickly. We also believe this combination will drive increased value to our customers, employees, and shareholders. We look forward to operating as a combined business for the balance of 2019. As a combined company, Wabtec and GE Transportation will bring to market a robust installed base of more than 23,000 locomotives globally, expanded global reach, a strong mix of freight and transit products and services, and increased innovation to solve our customers’ toughest challenges. The combined company will be a technology and innovation leader in the rapidly evolving rail industry, and we will have the critical mass to be an effective global competitor.”
— A Wabtec, GE news release. Jan. 25, 2019.
This is Train’s news? The story belongs in the Wall Street Journal. Glad some of the readers could decode Wall Street.
And what happens to Boise?
I’m worse off then Mr. Pinns… Can some one explain to me if all this means that what is now GE loco’s will be owned/built by Wabtec?
I’d rather read the Internal Revenue Code. I’m a GE shareholder. Can someone explain to me what the “spin-off of a portion of GE Transportation to GE shareholders” means, if anything, to us poor slobs who have suffered through the crash of the stock price, the elimination of the dividend, and the de-listing from the Dow?