BAT announces agreement to acquire Reynolds

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (“BAT”) and Reynolds American Inc. (“Reynolds”), have agreed the terms of a recommended offer for BAT to acquire the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds it does not already own. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Transaction Committee of independent Reynolds directors established to evaluate the BAT offer. The transaction has also been approved by the Boards of Reynolds and BAT.

Agreed Terms

• Reynolds shareholders will receive for each Reynolds share $29.44 in cash and 0.5260 BAT ordinary shares which shall be represented by BAT American Depository Receipts (ADRs) listed on the New York Stock Exchange
• Based on BAT’s share price and the Dollar-Sterling exchange rate as at market close on 16 January 2017¹, this implies a total current value of $59.64 per Reynolds share and a total current value of approximately $49.4 billion for the 57.8% of Reynolds not already owned by BAT
• Represents a premium of 26% over the closing price of Reynolds common stock on 20 October 2016 (being the last day prior to BAT’s announcement of a proposal to merge with Reynolds)
• NYSE-listed Level III ADRs representing BAT ordinary shares will be issued following registration under US securities laws

Creates a stronger, truly global tobacco and Next Generation Products (“NGP”) company to deliver sustained long-term profit growth and returns with:

• A balanced presence in high growth emerging markets and high profitability developed markets, combined with direct access to the attractive US market
• A portfolio of strong, growing global brands, bringing together ownership of Newport, Kent and Pall Mall
• A truly global NGP business, with a world class pipeline of vapour and tobacco heating products and access to the fastest growing NGP markets
• At least $400m of annualised cost synergies anticipated by the end of year 3, supporting continued margin improvement
• EPS and DPS accretive in the first full year and targeting mid-single digit EPS accretion in year 3, with the transaction beating the Group’s WACC for the US by year 5.
• Enhanced cash generation with increased control of a significant proportion of group cash flows
• Continued commitment to BAT’s dividend policy with a payout ratio of at least 65%
• A continuing strong financial profile, targeting a solid investment grade credit rating through progressive deleveraging

BAT’s Chief Executive, Nicandro Durante commented:

"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the Transaction Committee and Board of Reynolds and we look forward to putting the recommended offer to shareholders.  We have been shareholders in Reynolds since 2004 and we have benefited from the success of the present management team’s strategy, including its acquisition of Lorillard, which we supported with our own investment in 2015. BAT has consistently executed a winning strategy and has a proven track record of delivering strong results and returns for its shareholders while successfully investing for future growth.  Our combination with Reynolds will benefit from utilising the best talent from both organisations. It will create a stronger, global tobacco and NGP business with direct access for our products across the most attractive markets in the world.  We believe this will drive continued, sustainable profit growth and returns for shareholders long into the future."

Key terms of the transaction

The transaction will be effected through a US statutory merger in which Reynolds shareholders, other than BAT, will receive $29.44 in cash and 0.5260 BAT ordinary shares which shall be represented by BAT ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange for each of their Reynolds shares.

Based on BAT’s share price and the Dollar-Sterling exchange rate as at market close on 16 January 2017, the purchase price implies a total current value of $49.4 billion for the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds not owned by BAT, comprised of approximately $24.4 billion in cash and $25.0 billion in BAT ADRs

Based on BAT’s share price and the Dollar-Sterling exchange rate as at market close on 16 January 2017, the agreed terms represent a premium of: 26% over the closing price of Reynolds common stock on 20 October 2016 (the last day prior to BAT’s announcement of a proposal to merge with Reynolds) and a current Enterprise Value of $97 billion which, based on reported LTM EBITDA to 30 September 2016, represents an attractive multiple of 16.9x.

The cash component of the transaction will be financed by a combination of existing cash resources, new bank credit lines and the issuance of new bonds. A $25bn acquisition facility has been entered into with a syndicate of banks to provide financing certainty. The acquisition facility comprises $15bn and $5bn bridge loans with 1 and 2-year maturities respectively, each with two six month extensions available at BAT’s option. In addition, the facility includes two $2.5bn term loans with maturities of 3 and 5 years. BAT intends to refinance the bridge loans through capital market debt issuances in due course.

BAT is committed to maintaining a solid investment grade credit rating and intends to delever, targeting a net debt to EBITDA metric of around 3.0x by the end of 2019.

BAT anticipates taking actions to treat legacy Reynolds and BAT debt pari-passu.

Until completion Reynolds shareholders will remain entitled to Reynolds dividends payable in the ordinary course. Reynolds shareholders will be entitled to BAT dividends (with record dates following completion) in respect of their new BAT shares from the time of issuance of such shares.

BAT intends to register BAT ADRs under US securities laws.  The transaction is a Class 1 transaction for BAT for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules requiring the approval of BAT shareholders.  A shareholder circular, together with notice of the relevant shareholder meeting, will be distributed to BAT shareholders in due course. The parties expect the transaction to close during Q3 2017.

It has been agreed that three of the non-BAT nominated Reynolds directors will join the Board of BAT at closing.

Both the BAT and the Reynolds’ Boards will recommend the transaction to their respective shareholders.  A break fee of up to $1 billion is payable by either BAT or Reynolds under certain circumstances. More information is provided in the Closing Conditions section.

Creates a stronger, truly global tobacco and Next Generation Products (“NGP”) company

Post transaction, the group will be a larger, broader, more geographically diversified business with a unique footprint providing continued exposure to high growth emerging markets, direct access to the opportunity in the US market, and a broad presence in key developed markets.

Direct access to the attractive US market:

The US is the largest tobacco profit pool globally (ex-China), with the combination of affordable pack prices, relatively high disposable incomes and a growing market for NGPs underpinning the opportunity for long-term profitable growth.

Reynolds is well-positioned as the number two player in the US market, with three out of the four top selling cigarette brands and the benefits from the Lorillard acquisition already evident.  Reynolds has a 34% cigarette market share, with Newport the leading brand in menthol, Pall Mall the leading value brand and Natural American Spirit, the fastest growing premium brand. Reynolds’ American Snuff subsidiary also has a 33% share of the growing moist snuff segment, led by its Grizzly brand.

BAT has a successful track record of developing strong brands and growing market share through a consistent focus on product quality and innovation, enabling it to build on Reynolds’ existing share growth momentum.

Significant presence in high growth emerging markets:

BAT has a significant presence in emerging markets across South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and emerging markets will account for 60% of volume in the enlarged group. Over the last 5 years, revenue per pack in these markets has grown at more than twice the rate compared to developed markets. With generally low cigarette pack prices and expectations of continued growth in consumer disposable income over the long term, the future profit growth opportunity remains strong.  BAT sees emerging markets as the source of future profit growth for the BAT group and developed markets as the source of current profit growth.

Portfolio of strong, global brands:

BAT has a proven track record of developing strong, global brands driven by innovation and product quality.  The Global Drive Brand portfolio of Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall and Rothmans has grown volume at an average of 7% per annum over the last 3 years, gaining more than 200bps share over the period.  The transaction also brings together the Newport, Kent and Pall Mall brands under common ownership.

Establishes a truly global NGP business with a world class pipeline:

The combined business will be the only truly global company in the fast growing NGP category, with a unique opportunity to leverage scale and insights across the largest and fastest growing NGP markets and categories.

BAT's multi category strategy in NGPs is aimed at satisfying different consumer moments, with the capability of effectively addressing rapidly developing consumer behaviours.  Based on our estimated share of the global vapour market outside the US, BAT is already the largest international company in the category, having successfully launched a portfolio of products in the 5 largest vapour markets in Europe.  This includes leadership positions in the United Kingdom and Poland.  In December 2016, Glo, an innovative tobacco heating product, was launched in Japan with encouraging early results. 

In addition, Reynolds' Vuse is one of the leading vapour brands sold in retail in the world's largest vapour market. 

The transaction will benefit from the best of the two companies’ talented R&D and NGP organisations and allow NGP capabilities to be shared more broadly.  Direct access to the US vapour market permits further leverage of this world class pipeline of NGPs.

Delivers sustained long-term profit growth and returns

The transaction on the recommended terms represents an attractive offer to Reynolds shareholders, with a significant cash component and the opportunity to participate in the future returns from the combined company. The transaction also meets BAT's financial criteria for acquisitions.

Direct access to the opportunity in the US market further supports BAT’s commitment to delivering long-term profitable growth through consistent revenue growth and margin enhancement of 50-100 basis points on average, per annum.

BAT anticipates realising at least $400m in annualised cost synergies by the end of year 3. These synergies will be achieved by leveraging the scale of the combined business, increasing efficiencies and aligning to BAT’s Target Operating Model.  Cost synergies exist in three main areas – procurement, product development and corporate costs of the combined group.  The delivery of these synergy benefits, together with the opportunity for profitable growth in the US market, further supports BAT’s commitment to margin enhancement of 50-100 basis points on average, per annum.

BAT’s existing manufacturing footprint will be enhanced by the inclusion of the Reynolds Group’s high quality production facilities in North Carolina and Tennessee.

The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted fully diluted EPS in the first full year, targeting mid-single digit EPS accretion in year 3, and to beat the group WACC for the US by year 5. The transaction will significantly enhance BAT’s cash flow generation profile with increased control of what will be a significant proportion of group cash flows and a more diversified FX exposure.

BAT intends to maintain its dividend policy of a minimum 65% payout ratio post transaction and expects the transaction to be accretive to dividends per share.

Closing conditions

The parties expect the transaction to close during the third quarter of 2017, subject to: obtaining affirmative votes from BAT and Reynolds shareholders; obtaining anti-trust approvals in the US and Japan; registration of BAT shares with the SEC; approval of the BAT shares for listing on the LSE and the BAT ADRs on the NYSE; and, other customary conditions.  Completion of the merger is not subject to any financing condition.

BAT intends to register BAT ADRs under US securities laws.  The transaction is a Class 1 transaction for BAT for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules requiring the approval of BAT shareholders.  A shareholder circular, together with notice of the relevant shareholder meeting, will be distributed to BAT shareholders in due course.

If either of the BAT or Reynolds’ Boards decides in line with its fiduciary duties to withhold or withdraw its recommendation to its shareholders to vote in favour of the transaction and the merger agreement is terminated, such party would be required to pay a break fee of $1 billion to the other party.  Under certain circumstances, in the event that the merger agreement is terminated and a competing transaction completes within 12 months of that termination, the party completing the competing transaction would be required to pay a break fee of $1 billion.  In the event that (a) certain anti-trust approvals are not obtained or (b) an anti-trust approval is conditioned on disposals or other conduct remedies and BAT does not accept such conditions and therefore does not complete this transaction, BAT must pay an anti-trust break fee of $500 million to Reynolds.   The anti-trust break fee would not be payable in addition to the $1 billion break fee.

BAT intends to file the merger agreement and other relevant documents with the SEC and such documents may be retrieved free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.  These are expected to be available at some point later today.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BAT will host a conference call and live webcast at 8.30am GMT on 17th January 2017, to discuss the merger agreement. 

Webcast and Conference Call

A live webcast of the announcement is available via www.bat.com/ir.
If you wish to listen to the presentation via a conference call facility please use the dial in details below:
Dial-in number: +44 20 3139 4830
Passcode: 97647764#

Conference Call Playback Facility
A replay of the conference call will also be available for 30 days.
Dial-in number: +44 20 3426 2807
Passcode: 682173#

Enquiries

British American Tobacco Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)  | @BATPress 

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+44 (0) 20 7845 1180 / 1519/ 1781

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The person responsible for making this announcement is Nicola Snook, BAT’s Company Secretary.