ICYMI: Sats’ acquisition target is in the red
With profitability at both Sats and WFS under pressure, the risks of their proposed combination have probably increased
ONE of the most interesting stories I read in The Business Times this past week was about Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) chief executive Craig Smyth expecting further, near-term softness in the global air freight sector before an eventual recovery.
Two months ago, shares in Sats sank precipitously after the company said it would acquire WFS, the largest air cargo handling firm in the world. One concern about the deal was that air cargo demand might temporarily soften as the pandemic subsides. Another was that Sats would ultimately fund the acquisition through a big, deeply-discounted rights issue of new shares.
Sats has attempted to address the market’s concerns about the looming rights issue a couple of times. This past week, Sats said it only plans to tap its shareholders for S$800 million. The rest of the S$1.8 billion acquisition of WFS will be funded through a S$700 million three-year, euro-…
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Opinion & Features
Why a stronger US dollar is dangerous
Japan is poised to fill an EV gap left by China
Private credit is disrupting Hong Kong bankers’ cosy lives
Climate court ruling could set precedents in Europe and beyond
The American small-business tyrant has a favourite political party
Disney, Ford, Microsoft and the age of the quasi-merger