The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
The two top executives at William Hill will collect retention bonuses totalling up to £2.1 million after the £2.9 billion takeover by Caesars Entertainment if they stay on until the non-core assets are sold.
The potential payouts were revealed yesterday as Caesars and William Hill announced that the bid by the American company had been recommended by the British group’s board. Including debt, the offer values William Hill at about £3.25 billion.
Ulrik Bengtsson, 48, who was appointed the bookmaker’s chief executive a year ago, and Matt Ashley, 46, its chief financial officer, will be entitled to cash payments from Caesars equivalent to 200 per cent of their salaries.
Thursday October 01 2020, 12.00am, The Times
Eldorado receives $50m of stock in William Hill PLC (equivalent to circa 1.6% of its market capitalisation), subject to a 3-5 year lock up; a 20% stake in William Hill US and a share of profits attributable to its licenses, closely aligning the two partners' interests.
Does it mention the penalty of terminating the parternship if they do decide to Divest from Hills?
And also what happens to the 20% stake in the US?
Although Ceasars have us by the b4lls...the 275M payout if they fail to complete the TO makes me think a few may push for a higher price.
I know Ceasars were due to have a conf call with the major shareholders, does anyone know if this has taken place yet?
My feeling is they will not make a bid, but a strong trading update will highlight the lowball offer on the table.
Exactly....still all we can do is wait for the update, vote and all hope you get the result your looking for.
Morning all, still hanging in ther are we? I know i am. Looks like vote is around 20th novemeber. Sounds like things are going pretty well stateside with regards to new signups and wagers....just wait for the trading update to see for yourselves.
Matrix - Ulrik posted a video to WMH staff yesterday saying expected result of the shareholder vote would be December.
Novice all I've seen so far is this which was from yesterday mornings RNS
Commenting on the Acquisition, Roger Devlin, Chairman of William Hill, said:
"The William Hill Board believes this is the best option for William Hill at an attractive price for shareholders. It recognises the significant progress the William Hill Group has made over the last 18 months, as well as the risk and significant investment required to maximise the US opportunity given intense competition in the US and the potential for regulatory disruption in the UK and Europe."
LUFC the article posted yesterday says the boards stake is 0.2%
I'd rather a no vote now so it allows is to see the next set of results
11 November 2020 at 07:00
Trading statement
Only time will tell.
Taken from the link I just posted if anyone can't access
Even if Apollo decides to withdraw from the running, Caesars may be forced to sweeten the deal. Hedge funds Greenvale, Hein Park and HG Vora have increased their stakes in William Hill, raising the prospect that they could hold out for a better price.
James Wheatcroft, an analyst at stockbroker Jefferies said: “We still believe that William Hill is worth significantly more than the 272p Caesars bid.”
He pointed that the 0.2pc shareholder support had come from stakes owned by board members
Mr Wheatcroft said: “There is the suggestion that shareholders are hoping for a 'bump’."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/09/30/caesers-scores-29bn-bid-william-hill/
Ye the offer was dependent on the FOBT ruling. The£2 stake was implemented and a good chunk of the 4B was wiped off.
I agree Morbox.
Well done on getting out of VAL too.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them push for the sale.
They will want to pick up the retail estate based on the comment in the FT.
"It added that should the deal be successful, it would “seek suitable partners or owners” for William Hill’s businesses outside the US, including the original UK company."
Potentially huge as you need land based properties to be able to offer online betting in some states (Some have loosened this ruling due to covid lately but only on a temp basis)
Way too low for me,
Not the offer i was expecting and not one id have thought the board would entertain either