Pinewood board recommends £323m takeover offer
Lights, camera, action: the board of the iconic studio behind the likes of James Bond and Star Wars has been made a takeover offer offer it can't refuse, valuing it at £323m.
In a statement today Pinewood said it was recommending the cash offer by Aermont Capital, which will leave shareholders 560p in cash per share, as well as a 3.2p dividend.
The £323.3m value is a premium of 31 per cent on Pinewood's closing price of 430p on 9 February, when it began a strategic review.
It's the perfect time to buy Pinewood – not only is the studio the location for many scenes in James Bond films (it has a stage named after the franchise), but it is also where parts of Star Wars are filmed – and with several movies in the pipeline, the studio is likely to be quids in.
Earlier this year, it reported profits after tax of £10.1m, up from £6.7m last year. Meanwhile, revenues hit £83.2m, up from £75m the year before.
"The board believes [the bid] can provide Pinewood with the platform required for future growth," said Pinewood's chaiman, Lord Grade of Yarmouth.
"The Pinewood Group has been transformed in recent years but has been somewhat constrained in realising its ambitions due to the lack of share liquidity.
"As a result of the strategic review instigated by the board, Pinewood now has the prospect of a funding structure for the future. The board is encouraged by the commitment [the bidders] have already shown to management, to Pinewood's strategy for growth, and to the future of the iconic Pinewood Studios."
Shares were 0.2 per cent lower, at 566.46p, in late afternoon trading.