Marriott / Starwood Merger Back on Track

Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts have signed an amendment to the merger agreement which would create the world’s largest hotel company.

Under the terms of the amended merger agreement, Starwood shareholders will receive $21.00 in cash and 0.80 shares of Marriott International, Inc. Class A common stock for each share of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. common stock.

Excluding its timeshare business, the transaction values Starwood at approximately $13.6 billion ($79.53 per share), consisting of $10.0 billion of Marriott International stock, based on the closing price of $73.16 on 18 March 2016, and $3.6 billion of cash, based on approximately 170 million outstanding Starwood shares. Starwood shareholders will own approximately 34% of the combined company’s common stock after completion of the merger, based on current shares outstanding.

In addition, Starwood stockholders are expected to receive separate consideration in the form of Interval Leisure Group common stock from the spin-off of the Starwood timeshare business and subsequent merger with ILG, currently valued at $5.83 per Starwood share, based on ILG’s share price as of market close on 18 March 2016. Both companies continue to expect the closing of this transaction will occur well before the planned date of the Marriott-Starwood merger closing. The amended agreement and the ILG transaction have a combined current value of $85.36 per share of Starwood common stock.

As a result of extensive due diligence and joint integration planning, Marriott says it is confident that it can achieve $250 million in annual cost synergies within two years after closing, up from $200 million estimated in November 2015 when announcing the original merger agreement.

Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, said, “After five months of extensive due diligence and joint integration planning with Starwood, including a careful analysis of the brand architecture and future development prospects, we are even more excited about the power of the combined companies and the upside growth opportunities. We are also more confident of achieving our updated target of $250 million of cost synergies. With a higher cash component in the purchase price, we have improved the transaction’s financial structure as well.”

Bruce Duncan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said, “Throughout this process, our Board of Directors has remained laser-focused on maximizing value for Starwood shareholders, and Marriott’s revised offer provides the highest value to our shareholders through long-term upside potential from shared synergies and ownership in one of the world’s most respected companies, as well as significant upfront cash consideration. With its asset light business model, multi-year industry leading unit growth, powerful brands, and consistent return of capital to shareholders, Marriott stock has consistently traded at valuation premiums to its public peers.”

Marriott expects the transaction to be roughly neutral to adjusted earnings per share in 2017 and 2018.

Marriott remains committed to maintaining an investment grade credit rating after the merger. While Marriott anticipates its leverage will be modestly higher than targeted levels when the transaction closes, it expects to reach targeted leverage of 3.0x to 3.25x adjusted debt to adjusted EBITDAR by year-end 2016.

One-time transaction costs for the merger are expected to total approximately $100 million to $130 million. Transition costs are also expected to be incurred over the next two years.

The transaction is subject to Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide stockholder approvals, completion of Starwood’s planned disposition of its timeshare business, obtaining remaining regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Marriott and Starwood have each agreed to convene its respective stockholder meeting to consider the transactions contemplated by the amended merger agreement on 28 March 2016 and to immediately adjourn such meeting until 8 April 2016.

Assuming receipt of the necessary approvals, the parties continue to expect the transaction to close in mid-2016. The break-up fee payable by Starwood in certain circumstances increased to $450 million from $400 million. In circumstances in which the termination fee is payable, Starwood would also be required to reimburse Marriott for up to $18 million of actual costs incurred by Marriott in connection with the financing of the transaction.

Anbang, J.C. Flowers and Primavera Capital

Starwood’s Board had previously determined that the binding and fully financed proposal from a consortium consisting of Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd., J.C. Flowers & Co. and Primavera Capital Limited to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Starwood for $78.00 per share in cash constituted a “Superior Proposal” as defined in the merger agreement. The consortium’s proposal, together with the ILG transaction, have a combined current value of $83.83 per Starwood share.

In connection with the amended merger agreement, Starwood’s Board of Directors has determined that the consortium’s proposal no longer constitutes a “Superior Proposal”, and critically under the revised merger agreement Starwood is no longer permitted to engage in discussions or negotiations with, or provide confidential information to, the consortium.

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