Dangote walks away from PPC deal – causing PPC shares to plunge

Image: Clarion

7 OCTOBER 2017, 5:30PM / 

This IoL report by JOHN BOWKER

PPC shares plunged the most in more than two months after Dangote Cement walked away from a potential takeover of South Africa’s largest cement maker, leaving Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. as the sole known bidder.

Dangote formally withdrew its interest on Thursday, PPC said in a statement. The Lagos, Nigeria based company indicated last month it was interested in a combination of two of Africa’s largest cement makers, but the approach never got beyond the exploratory stage.

PPC shares slumped as much as 12%, the most since July 24, before trading 5.7% lower at R6.08 as of 12:57 p.m. in Johannesburg.

Aliko Dangote

The withdrawal of the Nigerian company, controlled by Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, is a blow for investors anticipating a bidding war that would have bumped up PPC’s take- out price.

Toronto-based Fairfax has tabled a partial offer for R2 billion ($146 million) of PPC shares at R5.75 each on condition that the company merges with AfriSam Group Pty Ltd., a local rival.

PPC Chairman Peter Nelson said Thursday that more than 25% of shareholders opposed that proposal.

-BLOOMBERG