(08-02-2014, 08:33 AM)felixleong Wrote: I think FCL is a bit too "big" now
My feel is that the thais will get rid of some assets first
the recent IPO spin out is one of such moves
The second step could be paying out of the cash to the indebt parents (since they still own over 85% of FCL, FNN also paid a lot of cash to parents)
3rd step, pumping up the free float to say 20-30% via placement or selling of stakes (they need to restore the float because they want to tap the market in the future for $$ to grow the company)
then when the dust is cleared then finally they do the swap for FNN shares (may take 1-2 years?)
above analysis just my own guessing, I may be very wrong ^^
1. By injecting assets into a FCL Hospitality Trust (1st being the InterContinental), TCC could reduce its gearing gradually
2. FNN and FCL still need a certain level of cash to operate and invest for growth. TCC/Thai Bev could not keep milking them through capital reduction.
3. Any reduction of stakes in FCL to harvest cash for TCC would most likely involves the injection of property assets by TCC into FCL and subsequent rights issue;
Not too sure how Thai Bev gonna reduce its stake in FNN...maybe inject some beverage brands into FNN?
4. Any delay in the share swap would only delay the realisation of synergies between TCC and FCL (and FNN & Thai Bev).
Note that TCC is 100% owned by Charoen while Thai Bev is 60+% owned by Charoen. Hence he would have more incentive to do the swap asap.
Also ThaiBev would have to pay for TCC's shares in FNN using a mix of FCL shares and cash - since ThaiBev owns only 28.5% in both FNN and FCL while TCC owns 59.4%.