As of the most recent interim report HKEX had HKD114 billion in cash on its balance sheet. If I've done the numbers right (354 million LSE shares x 2045 pence x GBP-HKD rate of 9.7) the cash component of the bid will cost a bit over HKD70 billion so HKEX has the cash on hand to complete the bid at this price.
More interesting is that the bid was announced the same day that GS released an updated research report with a '"sell" recommendation and a HKD215 target which compares to the price of HKD245.2 used in HKEX's announcement and today's closing price of HKD246.
I haven't crunched the numbers on what the scrip component will do to HKEX's EPS/DPS.
<Research Report>G Sachs Trims HKEX (00388.HK) Earnings Estimates; Rated Sell
What are way to strengthen existing ties to the UK during a time of great uncertainty and even greater $$$$ at risk for UK companies based in and listed in Hong Kong.
Can't see this happening.
Was reading about previous attempts and lost track of who owns the 30% that NASDAQ had - is it with Dubai/UAE?
Had a chat the other night with someone from Refinitive who was happy that they were not owned by that other London exchange that is owned by HKEx and were not 'a Chinese company' ..
How things change in a few days...
Big offer from the HKEx to buy the LSE this evening!
https://www.ft.com/content/d53ae238-...7-807ebd53ab77
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-l...-idUSKCN1VW0YP
Think it will go through?
Will LSE accept?
Would regulators agree?
Not clear to me if this will be at the expense of the Refinitiv deal? LSE agreed to buy Refinitiv for $27bn.
“Shareholders won’t be rushed to make a decision as we like the Refinitiv deal,†the shareholder added. “If this is an opening gambit by HKEX and they go 10 per cent higher, then it will be a case of what might happen in the short term to the LSE share price versus a five-year view on where the share price can go on a successful Refinitv integration.â€