COMPANIES

Keurig Green Mountain to Be Taken Private for $13.9 Billion

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Non-Recyclable Keurig Coffee Pods Come Under Fire--And Continue To Sell

Keurig Green Mountain, the maker of K-Cup single-serve coffee pods, said Monday it would be bought by an investor group led by Germany’s JAB Holding Co. for about $13.9 billion, creating a global coffee giant.

The deal, pitched at a 78 percent premium to Keurig’s Friday close, is the latest by JAB as it seeks to become a formidable competitor to world coffee market leader Nestle.

JAB formed a joint venture in July called Jacobs Douwe Egberts — now the largest coffee company — by combining its D.E. Master Blenders 1753 business with the coffee business of Mondelez International (MDLZ).

JAB, the investment vehicle of the billionaire Reimann family of Germany, bought U.S. coffee companies Caribou Coffee Co. and Peet’s Coffee & Tea in 2012.

Keurig’s (GMCR) shares were trading at $90.05 in early trading Monday, short of the $92 a share offer.

The stock last traded at $92 in May. Nearly 13 percent of the company’s total float is held by short sellers.

“The 78 percent premium should keep other bidders at bay,” SunTrust (STI) Robinson Humphrey analyst William Chappell wrote in a client note.

Keurig, which had lost more than 60 percent of its market value this year up to Friday’s close, has struggled with declining sales of its single-serve coffee pods and brewers due to intense competition.

The company’s latest countertop device, a cold drink brewer called Keurig Koldlaunched in September, failed to excite buyers.

Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Keurig’s biggest single shareholder, said it would receive cash for its 17.4 percent stake in the Vermont-based company. The stake is valued at about $2.4 billion at the offer price. Coke’s shares were little changed.

JAB is acquiring Keurig in partnership with investors who are already shareholders in Jacobs Douwe Egberts, including Mondelez and entities affiliated with BDT Capital Partners.

JAB’s other holdings include controlling stakes in cosmetics company Coty (COTY) and luxury goods-makers Jimmy Choo (CHOO).

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC) and Credit Suisse (CS) provided fairness opinions to Keurig Green Mountain.

[Source:- Dailyfinance]