WICHITA, Kan. - Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) [NYSE: SPR], a significant manufacturer of aerostructures, announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) [NYSE: BA] in a definitive merger agreement.
The acquisition price is set at $37.25 per share of Boeing common stock, valuing Spirit at an equity value of approximately $4.7 billion and an enterprise value of $8.3 billion, including Spirit's net debt.
This transaction price reflects a 30% premium over Spirit's closing stock price on February 29, 2024. Spirit's President and CEO, Patrick M. Shanahan, stated that the merger would benefit Spirit's shareholders and stakeholders by integrating manufacturing and engineering capabilities, enhancing safety, and quality systems.
Concurrently, Spirit has also entered into a binding term sheet with Airbus SE (OTC:EADSY) [EUR: AIR.PA] to negotiate the acquisition of certain Spirit assets related to Airbus programs. The agreement with Airbus is expected to be finalized in conjunction with the Boeing acquisition.
The merger agreement terms dictate that Spirit shareholders will receive a number of Boeing shares based on an exchange ratio, with a minimum and maximum share price threshold for Boeing.
The transaction has received unanimous approval from Spirit's Board of Directors and is subject to customary closing conditions, including Spirit shareholder approval and regulatory clearances. Both the Boeing acquisition of Spirit and the Airbus asset purchase are anticipated to close around mid-2025.
In addition to these developments, Spirit is planning to divest its operations in Subang, Malaysia; Prestwick, Scotland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland, excluding those supporting Airbus programs.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Moelis (NYSE:MC) & Company LLC are serving as financial advisors to Spirit, with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP providing legal counsel.
Spirit AeroSystems is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and operates facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia, and Morocco. The company is known for its fuselages, wings, pylons, and nacelles for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets.
This news article is based on a press release statement and includes forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. The information herein should not be regarded as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
InvestingPro Insights
In the wake of Spirit AeroSystems' [NYSE: SPR] acquisition news, a closer look at the company's financials through InvestingPro reveals some interesting data points that may influence investor sentiment. Spirit's market capitalization stands at $108.6 billion, a testament to its significant position in the aerospace industry. The company's Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio is currently 25.71, which, when coupled with a P/E ratio (adjusted) for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 of 25.87, indicates a valuation that investors may weigh against future earnings potential.
Despite recent market volatility, Spirit AeroSystems has demonstrated a strong revenue growth of 13.65% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. However, investors should note that the company's stock price has experienced a notable decline, with a one-week total return of -13.74% and a one-month total return of -17.51% as of the date specified. This could be reflective of broader market trends or specific investor reactions to the merger news and future outlook.
Among the InvestingPro Tips, two particularly stand out for Spirit AeroSystems. Firstly, the company has been consistent in rewarding its shareholders, having raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years, which could be an attractive point for income-focused investors. Additionally, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests the stock is currently in oversold territory, which may indicate a potential turning point for investors looking for entry points.
For readers interested in a deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed through the platform. For instance, investors can explore the company's cash position relative to its debt, recent analysts' earnings revisions, and the stock's performance relative to its 52-week low. Subscribers to InvestingPro can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking further insights and data to inform their investment decisions.
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