Advanced Takeover Code - Current Strategies & Tactics

Course Overview:

This course covers key rules in the Takeover Code that regulate takeovers and the bid strategies and tactics that are used in the current marketplace.

The update to the Takeover Code in September 2011 has changed the tactical advantage that possible bidders have had in takeovers and the course considers the numerous effects this has had on bidder and target strategies.

Participants will learn how takeovers are conducted from the initial stages to the completion or lapsing of the bid and will gain an understanding of which strategies and tactics have and which have not worked, with examples from many recent deals.

Course Content:

The Takeover Code: Conduct of Offer

• The UK takeover framework
• Legal, UKLA and Code provisions

Key rules for the conduct of public bids

• Announcements
  • When possible/firm offer announcements are required
  • Advisers’ responsibilities for announcements
  • What is an untoward share price movement?
  • Disclosures following announcements
  • Naming and Put Up or Shut Up
  • Contents of firm offer
• Conditions/pre-conditions
  • When can they be subjective?
  • When can they be invoked?
  • What pre-conditions are possible in firm offer announcements?
• Minimum consideration following market purchases
• Restrictions
  • No special deals
  • Management incentivisation in PTPs
  • Frustrating actions and exceptions
• Squeeze out requirements
• Overview of recent changes to rules
• Types of takeover
  • Offer statistics
  • Contractual offer timetable
  • How hostile offers are played out
  • Timetables in competitive situations
  • Development of Schemes of Arrangement
  • The rules for Schemes and timetable
  • Mandatory offer and whitewash requirements and uses
  • Partial and tender offers – rules and when they are useful

Public Takeovers: Strategies and Tactics

• Changes in marketplace which have affected takeovers

Bidder Strategies and Tactics

• Buying share stakes in Target
  • Advantages of buying share stakes before and during bid
  • Risks of buying stakes
  • Restrictions on stake-buying and regulatory requirements
  • Methods of acquiring stakes
  • Is it worth holding a large minority stake?
• Irrevocable undertakings
  • Advantages of holding irrevocables
  • Attitude of shareholders
  • Hard and soft irrevocables
  • Non-binding letters of intent
• Impact of Code changes
  • Return to traditional bid approach
  • Effect of 28 day PUSU and naming
  • Work which needs to be done before approach
  • Friendly negotiations or hostile offer?
  • Possible offers and bear hugs
• Timing considerations of firm offer announcements and bid
  • Issues if US shareholders are present
• Structure: Scheme of Arrangements or Offer
  • Advantages and disadvantages compared to contractual offer
  • Examples of Schemes/offers meeting shareholder opposition
  • Examples of Schemes in competitive situations
• Cash or share offer?
  • Advantages/disadvantages of cash and shares
  • Different mixes of consideration
  • Cash alternative structures
  • Other financing structures
  • Means of using foreign shares
• Care with statements
  • Price and other future actions
• Concluding the offer
  • When to increase offer
  • Are no increase / no extension statements useful?

Target Strategies and Tactics

• Basic arguments for defence
• Directors and advisers’ responsibilities in accepting/rejecting an offer
• Measures before a bid
  • Keeping close to market
  • Identification of stakes
  • Position of pension fund
• Negotiate, open books or make possible offer announcement?
  • Effects of a possible offer announcement and timing
  • Advantages of an auction
  • When should Target refuse to talk?
  • When to open up books?
• Forecasts and undertakings
  • Profit/dividend forecasts
  • Restructuring and valuations
  • Share buy-backs and special dividends
  • What works best?
• Pleadings
• Anti-trust
• White knight/squire
• Bolster the board
• “Get them before they get you”

Both Sides’ Strategies and Tactics

• Conflicts of interest
• Examining documents/statements
• Financial and managerial arguments
• Direct approach to shareholders/analysts

What our clients are saying about the course

“The trainer had a good knowledge of the code & how the various takeovers have been implemented”

“The best aspect of the course has been the chance of having an experienced professional as a trainer.”

“Good first-hand experience, practical real life examples & updates of recent rules”

“The trainer had years of experience giving excellent overview of the code”