Ascena Retail Group/Charming Shoppes
Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASNA) and Charming Shoppes, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRS) jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Ascena will acquire Charming Shoppes in a cash transaction valued at approximately $890 million. Ascena has agreed to make a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Charming Shoppes common stock at a price of $7.35 per share. The tender offer is expected to commence within 10 business days.
Subject to customary conditions and approvals, the transaction is expected to close during the second calendar quarter of 2012.
The tender offer is subject to customary conditions, including that the holders of a minimum of a majority of the fully diluted shares of Charming Shoppes tender, and do not withdraw, their shares prior to the expiration of the tender offer. Simultaneously with the acceptance of the tendered shares, Ascena will have the option, if less than 80% of the outstanding shares of Charming Shoppes are tendered, to acquire additional, newly issued shares of Charming Shoppes such that, after giving effect to the exercise of the option, Ascena will own more than 80% of the outstanding shares, whereupon Ascena will be able to merge its acquisition subsidiary into Charming Shoppes in a short-form merger that will not require any further vote of shareholders. Holders who do not tender their shares will receive the same consideration, $7.35 per share, in the merger. The consummation of the transaction is not subject to financing, and Ascena has obtained commitments for financing that, together with cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund the transaction. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the terms of the transaction. Upon completion of the acquisition, Charming Shoppes will operate as a separate subsidiary of Ascena. Charming Shoppes is currently led by CEO Anthony Romano. “Tony and his team are talented retailers and we look forward to their partnership as we move forward in this process,” Jaffe said.
BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as financial advisor and Proskauer Rose LLP as legal advisors for Ascena Retail Group, Inc. Barclays is acting as financial advisor and Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP as legal advisors to Charming Shoppes, Inc.
Subject to customary conditions and approvals, the transaction is expected to close during the second calendar quarter of 2012.
The tender offer is subject to customary conditions, including that the holders of a minimum of a majority of the fully diluted shares of Charming Shoppes tender, and do not withdraw, their shares prior to the expiration of the tender offer. Simultaneously with the acceptance of the tendered shares, Ascena will have the option, if less than 80% of the outstanding shares of Charming Shoppes are tendered, to acquire additional, newly issued shares of Charming Shoppes such that, after giving effect to the exercise of the option, Ascena will own more than 80% of the outstanding shares, whereupon Ascena will be able to merge its acquisition subsidiary into Charming Shoppes in a short-form merger that will not require any further vote of shareholders. Holders who do not tender their shares will receive the same consideration, $7.35 per share, in the merger. The consummation of the transaction is not subject to financing, and Ascena has obtained commitments for financing that, together with cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund the transaction. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the terms of the transaction. Upon completion of the acquisition, Charming Shoppes will operate as a separate subsidiary of Ascena. Charming Shoppes is currently led by CEO Anthony Romano. “Tony and his team are talented retailers and we look forward to their partnership as we move forward in this process,” Jaffe said.
BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as financial advisor and Proskauer Rose LLP as legal advisors for Ascena Retail Group, Inc. Barclays is acting as financial advisor and Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP as legal advisors to Charming Shoppes, Inc.
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