A Brief Overview of Restructuring Law and Proceedings in

Download Report

Transcript A Brief Overview of Restructuring Law and Proceedings in

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

“Hedge Fund Activism”

April 7, 2006 Stephen Fraidin

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

Increased Hostile Activity

Surge in Hostile Activity Hostile / Unsolicited Activity as % of Total M&A Volume 14% 13% 8% 5% 4% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

2

A. Selected Factors

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP • • • • •

Hedge Funds - Over $1 Trillion Increased Availability of Other Equity Capital

Private equity Cheap Financing

Debt financing still relatively cheap based on historic standards Deleveraging

Companies have accumulated cash and paid down debt Buyers can use target’s assets to finance deal Increased Disfavor of Takeover Defenses

Increased corporate governance initiatives have discouraged adoption

3

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

A. Selected Factors (cont.)

• • •

Reluctance of Boards to Reject Deals

Boards less likely to reject publicly-made premium value bids Sarbanes-Oxley Twist

One effect is decreased risk of undisclosed accounting irregularities of Target even without due diligence Outward Focus of Companies

After years of completing internal reviews, cleaning up balance sheet and achieving internal efficiencies, companies are more acquisitive and are looking for outward growth

4

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

B. Hedge Fund Activity

Funds Committed to Hedge Funds (billions, approx.) $1,000 $800 $375 $425 $475 $525 $600 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

5

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

B. Hedge Fund Activity (cont.)

Number of Hedge Funds (approx.) 8,000 6,500 3,000 3,500 3,900 4,200 5,000 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

6

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

B. Hedge Fund Activity (cont.)

• • • •

Traders Mentality

– –

Less focused on long-term value appreciation More unspoken cross-firm communication (“conscious parallellism”) Eye for Value and Arbitrage Opportunities Increased Metrics-Based Analysis

Mastery of Derivative/Hedging Strategies Flexing Muscles with M&A and Activism Opportunities

Willing to employ hostile bidding techniques (vs. many private equity firms that are expressly prohibited from hostile activity and vs. mutual funds that typically do not engage in this activity)

Competing for attention as define/distinguish themselves

7

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

C. Common Form Hedge Fund Tactics

• •

Purchase “Toehold” Position in Target

Purchase quickly (usually following period of poor stock performance)

Use of derivatives to decrease actual exposure

Make filings announcing position (potential influential role) Pressure Management for Near-Term Value Enhancing Changes

– – –

Force sales of Target or under-performing businesses Force monetization of assets Force distribution of excess cash to shareholders/stock buybacks

Block pending transactions

8

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

C. Common Form Hedge Fund Tactics (cont.)

• • •

Other Hedge Funds Accumulate Shares - Conscious Parallel Activity Force Change of Un-Cooperative Management/Board

– –

Request removal of takeover defenses to facilitate Shareholder proposals

Threaten proxy fight to remove directors Use of Press to Sway Other Shareholders to Adopt Hedge Fund’s Strategy

Note: Additional press also helps attract publicity/distinguish fund for raising of next fund General Trend: Escalation of Tactics Until Achieve Goal

9

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

D. Examples of Recent Activist Activity

• • •

Blockbuster/Carl Icahn Icahn (largest shareholder) objects to management of Blockbuster

– – – –

Critical of failure to acquire rival Hollywood Video Critical of CEO Antioco’s pay package and other uses of funds Demands that greater dividends be paid to shareholders Demands that offers for the company be duly considered Icahn commences proxy fight Dissident slate of directors elected

Classified board, but can take control of Board next year

10

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

D. Examples of Recent Activist Activity (cont.)

• • •

Kerr-McGee/Carl Icahn and Jana Partners Icahn and Jana (collectively 7.6% shareholders) want changes at Kerr-McGee:

– –

Divest its chemical business and monetize future production Use the proceeds to buy back stock Icahn and Jana announce proposing slate of directors Kerr-McGee agrees to divest chemical business and commence $4 Billion share repurchase

In exchange for agreement of Icahn and Jana to withdraw dissident slate of directors

11

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

D. Examples of Recent Activist Activity (cont.)

• • •

Wendy’s/Pershing Square Pershing Square (9.9% shareholder hedge fund) wants value-enhancing changes at Wendy’s:

– – – –

Spin-off Tim Hortons (Canadian brand) Refranchise several Wendy’s-owned locations Repurchase shares with proceeds of refranchising Avoid acquisition of Quick Service Pershing Square Escalates Public Attention

– –

Announces intention to make proposals Announces retention of Blackstone to evaluate strategic transactions for Wendy’s

Files letter with rationale for proposals and requests meeting Ongoing

12

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

E. Observations - Preparedness

Activism Can Come in Any Context; Most Frequently:

– – – –

Following period of weak stock performance When easily monetizable assets or large amounts of cash In connection with transaction (either as buyer or Target) Annual meetings or proposals to shareholders

Swarming Effect of Activist Activity When Comes

Approach companies when at weakest (undervalued/vulnerable)

– –

Act quickly and together Disputes are often made public

13

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

E. Observations – Preparedness (cont.)

Recent Transactions Have Shown Positioning is Helpful to Confront Activists:

– – – –

Being prepared Exposing activist vulnerabilities Developing and communicating Board strategy Legal challenges to tactics

Companies Need to Continually Monitor Vulnerability

– – –

Evaluate Corporate Governance Posture Identify Key Constituencies/Shareholder Base Monitor Market Sentiment

• Examples: market reaction to news, press, chat rooms, etc.

Develop Communications Plan for Strategy

14

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

E. Observations – Preparedness (cont.)

• •

Example: Consider some Corporate vulnerabilities and develop strategy Corporate Governance Posture has vulnerabilities to proxy fight

– – – –

Non-classified board elected by plurality Ability of stockholders to call special meeting Ability to remove directors and act by written consent Poison pills generally prevent stock accumulation but not proxy fights Financial position

Recently depressed stock performance vs. market

– – –

Large pre-acquisition cash position FY2003 and FY2004 restructurings Large market capitalization companies and technology sector no longer immune from shareholder activism/hostile activity/hedge fund activity

15

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

F. Take-Aways

• • • •

Significant influence of hedge funds on today’s M&A environment Continued role of Board in determining Target’s long term strategy Need to review vulnerabilities and have approaches/defenses ready (particularly in transaction context) Need to keep eye out for first signs of activity given common m.o. of escalating tactics

16