With the confirmation of its 197th consecutive quarterly dividend (announced on 6 May 2021), Cooper Tire & Rubber reiterated its position as one of the most consistent dividend-payers out there. However, this time the normally prosaic dividend payment announcement statement was spiced up by a single condition.
Cooper shareholders approve proposed merger with Goodyear Cooper Tire & Rubber Company’s stockholders have voted overwhelmingly to approve the planned merger with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The vote was held at a special meeting of Cooper stockholders today. Cooper reports that approximately 99 per cent of votes cast were in favour of the transaction. Read our coverage of Goodyear’s acquisition of Cooper here, or in our special 12-page e-paper supplement.
With the addition of the Cooper Tire business, Goodyear will return to the global number three ranking in passenger car and light truck (PCLT) tyre volumes in 2021. After previously holding the clear number three ranking behind the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone and Michelin, Goodyear was joint third with Continental in both 2017 and 2018. In 2019, Goodyear fell behind Continental to fourth position in 2019 and 2020. Working on a pro forma basis combining original equipment and replacement market tyres, Astutus Research data reveals some interesting facts about the nascent conjoined organisation, with reference to their largest tyre business segment in terms of volume.
Goodyear’s $2.5 billion-dollar acquisition of Cooper is the biggest tyre industry news story of 2021 so far (click here for detailed analysis of the deal itself). But takeovers – especially those this big – are seldom easy. A large portion of the motivation behind the acquisition is to bolster Goodyear’s position in the high-value 4×4 and SUV tyre segments. So, with this in mind, what kind of terrain is the deal likely to encounter as the two companies make their way towards integration?
Shandong Linglong Tyre Company’s share price reached a record high of 53.80 yuan on 10 February 2021 just before the Chinese New Year. The price drew back in the days afterwards, but the peak represents an all-time high for Linglong that is over 40 per cent higher than the company’s previous record of 38.18, which was set on 22 July 2016.
Goodyear’s takeover of Cooper Tire has been positively received by the stock markets, with Cooper’s share price jumping 31.8 per cent from 43.81 before the news was announced to $57.75 two days later. Goodyear‘s share price also swelled, up 28.9 per cent from $13.52 beforehand to $17.43 48 hours after the takeover news was released.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company have made “a definitive transaction agreement” that will see Goodyear buy Cooper for roughly $2.5 billion. The combined company will have approximately $17.5 billion in pro forma 2019 sales. Upon closing of the transaction, Goodyear shareholders will own approximately 84 per cent of the combined company, and Cooper shareholders will own approximately 16 per cent.
Aeolus Tyre Co Ltd and its controlling shareholder, China National Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd (CNRC, which is itself owned by Chinese petrochemical giant ChemChina) executed a “share entrustment agreement” on 30 November 2020. According to the agreement, CNRC will “entrust” its 52 per cent shareholding in Prometeon Tyre Group Srl to Aeolus for three years. But the three-year term will be automatically renewed upon expiry.
Nynas has exited company reorganisation after Swedish courts confirmed the process is now complete following a creditors meeting. The court’s decision is effective 21 December 2020. After this, Nynas will no longer be limited by reorganisation regulations.
Shares amounting to roughly a quarter of Marangoni Holding SpA are up for sale in three lots equal to 8.57 per cent (or 16,756 shares) each. The shares, currently held by Ma.Gi.Ma Srl based in Trento, will go to auction on 9 December 2020. The price of base of each lot is 1,423,125.00 euros and therefore a total of 4,269,375 euros.
Financial analysts have reiterated their “buy” rating on Continental AG shares, while also raising price target from 150 euros from 123 euros previously. In short, Continental AG is expected to continue outperforming consensus estimates. Writing in an investors note dated 18 November, Jefferies equity research said: “Tyre margins will return to an industry leading greater than 15 per cent in full-year 2021. Conti remains among the least liked stocks in the sector which provides positive surprise potential.”
Shares in Japanese firms hit a 30-year high after Joe Biden was named as the president-elect of the US in a phenomenon being called the “Biden bounce”. Tokyo’s Nikkei index rose 2.6 per cent when the market opened on 9 November. It closed up 2.1 per cent at a level not seen since 1991.
Nokian Tyres 2015-2016 board members are facing insider trading charges and the company faces a fine of up to 850,000 euros. At least that’s what the public prosecutor in Finland is demanding.
Scandinavian Enviro Systems (publ) and Michelin expect the final agreement regarding their strategic partnership will be reached during the fourth quarter 2020 rather than at the end of October, which Enviro previously communicated. The coronavirus pandemic is cited as the reason for the delay in negotiations.
Hexpol AB (publ) has appointed Georg Brunstam as president and CEO of Hexpol AB (publ) effective 20 November 2020. Georg Brunstam is currently chairman of the Board for Hexpol AB (publ) and had previously been President and CEO for Hexpol AB (publ) 2007-2017.
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