The Michaels Companies (NASDAQ: MIK) (“Michaels” or “the Company”) and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries “Apollo”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo have agreed to acquire the Company in a transaction that values Michaels at an equity value of approximately $3.3 billion (for a transaction valued at $5.0 billion).
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Michaels Board of Directors, Apollo will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Michaels for $22.00 per share in cash. The purchase price represents a 47% premium to the closing stock price on February 26, 2021 (the last trading day prior to press speculation about a potential transaction involving Michaels) of $15.00 per share and a 78% premium to the 90-day volume-weighted average price.
“The Company’s impressive growth transformation, including our financial and operational performance in the unprecedented environment of the pandemic, led to an unsolicited offer to buy the company,” said James Quella, Chairman of the Michaels Board of Directors. “Following that offer, the board undertook a comprehensive process to test the market and to evaluate the value maximizing path forward for shareholders. The Board of Directors, informed by that process, firmly believes Apollo’s offer represents a compelling value to our shareholders. It has been a privilege to work with Ashley and the management team as they coalesced around the transformation strategy, reimagined the Michaels omni-channel experience, and drove strong business outcomes in a challenging retail environment.”
Source: Business Wire