Record $40 Billion Deal for NTT Sparks Talk of Bigger SoftBank Buyout, , on September 30, 2020 at 5:15 am

By ILP
On 09/30/2020
In Financial News
Tags:

(Bloomberg) — The record $40 billion deal for wireless carrier NTT Docomo Inc. is sparking discussion of whether an even bigger Japanese buyout could be in the works: SoftBank Group Corp.Founder Masayoshi Son has debated for years whether to take his conglomerate private because of a persistent discount between his stock and the perceived value of his assets, particularly Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. shares. The 63-year-old billionaire revived informal talks this year after his shares tumbled and he sold off assets.The Docomo deal signals Japan has plenty of capital for deals on the kind of scale unthinkable in the past. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. will borrow the entire purchase price to finance the affiliate’s buyout, even though it had 1.09 trillion ($10.3 billion) in cash and equivalents at the end of March.“A successful buyout of Docomo could spur a similar move by SoftBank. There is plenty of liquidity for both,” said Justin Tang, head of Asian research at United First Partners in Singapore. “For lenders, this can be a huge source of revenue. And shareholders can have a catalyst in which to realize the value of their holdings.”Son has been frustrated that investors won’t pay more for his stock considering his company’s holdings. SoftBank posts on its website an estimate that its shareholder value is about 13,000 yen a share, a figure it calculates by adding the value of stakes in Alibaba, SoftBank Corp. and other assets, then subtracting debt. That’s roughly half the roughly 6,500 yen a share SoftBank Group trades at.After his shares plummeted in March, Son announced a record 4.5 trillion yen asset sale plan and a record 2.5 trillion yen buyback program. In addition, he’s cut a deal to sell chip designer Arm Ltd. to Nvidia Corp. for about $40 billion in cash and stock, although regulatory approval is expected to take more than a year.“Given SoftBank’s valuation discount and the availability of cheap financing, there is a good chance of an MBO,” said Tang.Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts published a research note after the Docomo buyout, arguing the deal is likely to spark further corporate alignments in the country. The report didn’t specifically mention SoftBank.The Docomo deal does present at least two challenges for SoftBank. NTT is buying out public shareholders in part so it can lower wireless rates more easily, a competitive threat that may hurt SoftBank Corp., Son’s domestic telecom unit. Newly anointed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has made lower phone tariffs a key part of his early agenda.In addition, NTT is paying 40% more than Docomo’s share price before the announcement. SoftBank shareholders could ask for a similar premium if Son pursues a buyout, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Anthea Lai.SoftBank Group’s market capitalization is about $128 billion, so that kind of premium would mean valuing the company at $179 billion. That would be by far the largest buyout ever.Between the stake held by Son himself and the treasury shares SoftBank has already bought back, more than 30% of the company’s stock is already controlled by management, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. analyst Satoru Kikuchi wrote earlier this month that a management-led deal to take the company private looked feasible.“The firm seems to be selling off assets rapidly and is considering the sale of its ARM holdings earlier than initially planned,” Kikuchi said in a research note. “Given the scale of its buyback operations, we think delisting via management buyout is a possibility.”For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.,

Record $40 Billion Deal for NTT Sparks Talk of Bigger SoftBank Buyout(Bloomberg) — The record $40 billion deal for wireless carrier NTT Docomo Inc. is sparking discussion of whether an even bigger Japanese buyout could be in the works: SoftBank Group Corp.Founder Masayoshi Son has debated for years whether to take his conglomerate private because of a persistent discount between his stock and the perceived value of his assets, particularly Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. shares. The 63-year-old billionaire revived informal talks this year after his shares tumbled and he sold off assets.The Docomo deal signals Japan has plenty of capital for deals on the kind of scale unthinkable in the past. Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. will borrow the entire purchase price to finance the affiliate’s buyout, even though it had 1.09 trillion ($10.3 billion) in cash and equivalents at the end of March.“A successful buyout of Docomo could spur a similar move by SoftBank. There is plenty of liquidity for both,” said Justin Tang, head of Asian research at United First Partners in Singapore. “For lenders, this can be a huge source of revenue. And shareholders can have a catalyst in which to realize the value of their holdings.”Son has been frustrated that investors won’t pay more for his stock considering his company’s holdings. SoftBank posts on its website an estimate that its shareholder value is about 13,000 yen a share, a figure it calculates by adding the value of stakes in Alibaba, SoftBank Corp. and other assets, then subtracting debt. That’s roughly half the roughly 6,500 yen a share SoftBank Group trades at.After his shares plummeted in March, Son announced a record 4.5 trillion yen asset sale plan and a record 2.5 trillion yen buyback program. In addition, he’s cut a deal to sell chip designer Arm Ltd. to Nvidia Corp. for about $40 billion in cash and stock, although regulatory approval is expected to take more than a year.“Given SoftBank’s valuation discount and the availability of cheap financing, there is a good chance of an MBO,” said Tang.Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts published a research note after the Docomo buyout, arguing the deal is likely to spark further corporate alignments in the country. The report didn’t specifically mention SoftBank.The Docomo deal does present at least two challenges for SoftBank. NTT is buying out public shareholders in part so it can lower wireless rates more easily, a competitive threat that may hurt SoftBank Corp., Son’s domestic telecom unit. Newly anointed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has made lower phone tariffs a key part of his early agenda.In addition, NTT is paying 40% more than Docomo’s share price before the announcement. SoftBank shareholders could ask for a similar premium if Son pursues a buyout, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Anthea Lai.SoftBank Group’s market capitalization is about $128 billion, so that kind of premium would mean valuing the company at $179 billion. That would be by far the largest buyout ever.Between the stake held by Son himself and the treasury shares SoftBank has already bought back, more than 30% of the company’s stock is already controlled by management, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. analyst Satoru Kikuchi wrote earlier this month that a management-led deal to take the company private looked feasible.“The firm seems to be selling off assets rapidly and is considering the sale of its ARM holdings earlier than initially planned,” Kikuchi said in a research note. “Given the scale of its buyback operations, we think delisting via management buyout is a possibility.”For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

,

Contact Us

Please use our Instant Quote form to see if you're pre-qualified for a non-recourse stock loan, or if you have any questions or feedback, please email, call or chat with us.

deals@internationalliquiditypartners.com

+44 20 3994 1588

Headquarters: Hunkins Waterfront Plaza, Charlestown, Nevis

Open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Securities-Based Lending?
Securities-based lending, or a stock loan, is the practice of using market investments such as stocks, ETF’s, warrants, bonds, or real estate investment trusts as collateral for a loan.
How much money can I get for my securities?
Borrow up to 80% of the value of your pledged investments giving you the capital you need to expand your business, purchase real estate, or tackle a costly project.
What happens if my securities lose value?
With a non-recourse stock loan, you can walk away from your securities at any time and keep the loan money with no negative credit consequences even if the investments lose value.
Is my information safe with ILP?
We pride ourselves on outstanding service and make client confidentiality our top priority. You can always be absolutely certain your information is safe with us.
How long does it take for the disbursement of funds?
Most of the transactions we process take less than 7 days from application to the disbursement of funds giving you cash quickly when you need it most.
What credit score do I need to qualify?
There are no credit checks or personal guarantees necessary with our services. Your pledged securities are the only collateral required for the loan you receive.

Instant Quote

Please fill out your information to see if you are pre-qualified.

Enter the Stock Symbol.

Select the Exchange.

Select the Type of Security.

Please enter your First Name.

Please enter your Last Name.

Please enter your phone number.

Please enter your Email Address.

Please enter or select the Total Number of Shares you own.

Please enter or select the Desired Loan Amount you are seeking.

Please select the Loan Purpose.

Please select if you are an Officer/Director.

International Liquidity Partners, LLC may only offer certain information to persons who are “Accredited Investors” and/or “Qualified Clients” as those terms are defined under applicable Federal Securities Laws. In order to be an “Accredited Investor” and/or a “Qualified Client”, you must meet the criteria identified in ONE OR MORE of the following categories/paragraphs numbered 1-20 below.

International Liquidity Partners, LLC cannot provide you with any information regarding its Loan Programs or Investment Products unless you meet one or more of the following criteria. Furthermore, Foreign nationals who may be exempt from qualifying as a U.S. Accredited Investor are still required to meet the established criteria, in accordance with International Liquidity Partners, LLC’s internal lending policies. International Liquidity Partners, LLC will not provide information or lend to any individual and/or entity that does not meet one or more of the following criteria:

1) Individual with Net Worth in excess of $1.0 million. A natural person (not an entity) whose net worth, or joint net worth with his or her spouse, at the time of purchase exceeds $1,000,000 USD. (In calculating net worth, you may include your equity in personal property and real estate, including your principal residence, cash, short-term investments, stock and securities. Your inclusion of equity in personal property and real estate should be based on the fair market value of such property less debt secured by such property.)

2) Individual with $200,000 individual Annual Income. A natural person (not an entity) who had individual income of more than $200,000 in each of the preceding two calendar years, and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

3) Individual with $300,000 Joint Annual Income. A natural person (not an entity) who had joint income with his or her spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of the preceding two calendar years, and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

4) Corporations or Partnerships. A corporation, partnership, or similar entity that has in excess of $5 million of assets and was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring an interest in the Corporation or Partnership.

5) Revocable Trust. A trust that is revocable by its grantors and each of whose grantors is an Accredited Investor as defined in one or more of the other categories/paragraphs numbered herein.

6) Irrevocable Trust. A trust (other than an ERISA plan) that (a)is not revocable by its grantors, (b) has in excess of $5 million of assets, (c) was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring an interest, and (d) is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such person is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Trust.

7) IRA or Similar Benefit Plan. An IRA, Keogh or similar benefit plan that covers only a single natural person who is an Accredited Investor, as defined in one or more of the other categories/paragraphs numbered herein.

8) Participant-Directed Employee Benefit Plan Account. A participant-directed employee benefit plan investing at the direction of, and for the account of, a participant who is an Accredited Investor, as that term is defined in one or more of the other categories/paragraphs numbered herein.

9) Other ERISA Plan. An employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of the ERISA Act other than a participant-directed plan with total assets in excess of $5 million or for which investment decisions (including the decision to purchase an interest) are made by a bank, registered investment adviser, savings and loan association, or insurance company.

10) Government Benefit Plan. A plan established and maintained by a state, municipality, or any agency of a state or municipality, for the benefit of its employees, with total assets in excess of $5 million.

11) Non-Profit Entity. An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, with total assets in excess of $5 million (including endowment, annuity and life income funds), as shown by the organization’s most recent audited financial statements.

12) A bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act (whether acting for its own account or in a fiduciary capacity).

13) A savings and loan association or similar institution, as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act (whether acting for its own account or in a fiduciary capacity).

14) A broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

15) An insurance company, as defined in Section 2(13) of the Securities Act.

16) A “business development company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act.

17) A small business investment company licensed under Section 301 (c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

18) A “private business development company” as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Advisers Act.

19) Executive Officer or Director. A natural person who is an executive officer, director or general partner of the Partnership or the General Partner, and is an Accredited Investor as that term is defined in one or more of the categories/paragraphs numbered herein.

20) Entity Owned Entirely By Accredited Investors. A corporation, partnership, private investment company or similar entity each of whose equity owners is a natural person who is an Accredited Investor, as that term is defined in one or more of the categories/paragraphs numbered herein.

Please read the notice above and check the box below to continue.

Nevis Office

Main Street
Hunkins Waterfront Plaza
Charlestown, Nevis

New York Office

Coming Soon!

Follow Us

Market Coverage