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F&P Finance rating bolstered by takeover

Thursday 13th of September 2012

The ratings agency says that its BB long-term issuer credit rating on Fisher & Paykel Finance have been placed on CreditWatch with positive implications, following Haier issuing its takeover notice.

Haier already owns a stake in Fisher and Paykel Appliances and has a lock-up agreement with a large shareholder, which takes its potential interest to 37.46%. This gets it closer to the 50% required for the offer to proceed.

The $1.20 a share cash offer is at a significant premium to the pre-existing share price, and F&P Appliance's independent board is supportive of Haier’s offer on the following basis:

  • The offer price must be within or above the valuation range, as determined by the independent advisor;
  • There is no superior alternative for F&PAHL and its shareholders; and
  • The terms and conditions of the offer being acceptable.
The above-mentioned events raise the likelihood of offer acceptance, S&P says.

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