Poundland (LSE: PLND) announced this morning that it has signed aconditional sale and purchase agreementtobuy the rival99p Stores for an enterprise value of 55 million. The deal which is subject toapproval by theCompetition & Markets Authority will consist of a cash paymentof 47.5 million and the issue of new Poundland Shares with a value of 7.5m at close. Shares in Poundland are up 9% at the time of writing.
Poundland Europes leading single price general merchandise retailer says that it believes the combined businesses willprovide better choice, service and value for customers of 99p Stores (despite animplied 1% price rise). 99p Stores, which also trades as Family Bargains, has a network of 251 shops, together with a warehouse and distribution centre.
99 Stores had sales of 370.4m in the year to 1 February 2015, with underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of 6.1m. Poundland says it believes that when fully integrated, thecombined company willenhance earnings per share for Poundlands shareholders, although it is careful to warn that its not actually forecasting higher earnings per share for the year to 27 March 2016.
Commenting on the deal, Poundland CEO Jim McCarthy said
This is a good deal for both businesses and will benefit customers and shareholders. Through working together, Poundland will improve choice, value and service for 99p Stores customers, bringing Poundlands proven know-how and range to 99p Stores. We also believe that we can improve the performance of the 99p Stores estate and generate further value for Poundlands shareholders.
Since floating on 12 March last year Poundlands share price has had something of a roller-coaster ride. The heavily over-subscribed new issue soared on launch day, hitting a 19% premium to the 300p flotation price, only tosubsequently fall 5% below issue price, to 284p, in mid-May. At 390p, they now stand 30% up on flotation price, compared with a 3% rise in the FTSE All Share over the same period.
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Jon Wallis has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.