Southern Company Bets on a Natural Gas Future with AGL Resources
(Continued from Prior Part)
Basics of the transaction
As we saw in the first part of this series, Southern Company (SO) is buying AGL Resources (GAS) for $66 in cash per share, for a total cash transaction of about $12 billion including AGL debt.
Management comments on the transaction
“As America’s leader in developing the full portfolio of energy resources, we believe the addition of AGL Resources to our business will better position Southern Company to play offense in supporting America’s energy future through additional natural gas infrastructure,” said Southern Company chairman, president, and CEO, Thomas A. Fanning. He added, “For some time we have expressed our desire to explore opportunities to participate in natural gas infrastructure development. With AGL Resources’ experienced team operating premier natural gas utilities and their investments in several major infrastructure projects, this is a natural fit for both companies.”
Conditions precedent
The following conditions need to be satisfied in order for the deal to close:
- AGL Resources shareholder vote
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approval of the proxy statement
- Hart–Scott–Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act filing
- Federal Communications Commission approval
- California Public Utilities Commission approval
- Georgia Public Service Commission approval
- Maryland Public Services Commission approval
- Illinois Commerce Commision approval
- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approval
- Tennessee Regulatory Authority approval
- Virginia State Corporation approval
Nonsolicitation agreement and breakup fee
AGL Resources has a nonsolicitation agreement with a fiduciary out. This means that prior to shareholder approval of the transaction, AGL can discuss a merger with another suitor, assuming it’s approached. If a bidder happens to come in and top the Southern Company bid, AGL Resources will owe Southern Company a breakup fee of $201 million.
How Southern Company will finance the deal
Southern will finance the transaction through the sale of stock and with new debt issued prior to close. The deal is not conditional on financing.
Other merger arbitrage resources
Other important merger spreads include the Freescale-NXP transaction. The merger of Freescale Semiconductor (FSL) and NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) is expected to close by the end of the year.
For a primer on risk arbitrage investing, read Merger arbitrage must-knows: A key guide for investors.
Investors interested in trading in the utilities space should look at the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU).
Continue to Next Part
Browse this series on Market Realist: