Some history as below:
- Baker sold their 100% stake of PPLH (final price of 116.25mil USD), whom in turn hold 15% stake of PPL shipyard to a consortium with YZJ eventually taking up ~45% of the stake, which translates to YZJ paying 52.3mil USD (
http://yangzijiang-cn.listedcompany.com/...3557.1.pdf)
- SCM was wary of having rig building technology (the popular Pacific Class) falling into Chinese hands at the time of the peak rig building cycle in 2010, where Chinese yards were starting to poach Sporean talent and undercutting in terms of bid prices. It went to court demanding that that it should buy over the 15% stake of PPL shipyard for just 59mil USD, about 50% of what the consortium paid. They eventually lost. Baker recognized their gains and paid out a special dividend, while SCM had to start "sleeping with a competitor now" (
http://infopub.sgx.com/FileOpen/Ann_Judg...leID=79572).
As of today:
- I am not sure if PPLH's only assets is the 15% of PPL shipyard. But fast forward to today, I would imagine that by selling away the 15% stake, PPLH is an empty shell with no more tangible assets besides the cash it receives from the sales.
- Compared with purchase price of 116.25mil vs 115mil USD, excluding the effects of FOREX, YZJ does not have a capital gain (for its 45% stake), as mentioned by forummer desmondxyz. Its monetary gains are restricted to the ~30mil USD of dividends declared, as mentioned by CityFarmer.
My thoughts:
- For the same price that YZJ and co paid, SCM is finally able to stop having to "sleep with the enemy" now. Could it be a little too late or a brilliant move when we look back in future? (just like when Keppel FELS was privatized by its parent)..I guess only time will tell.
- As for YZJ, focusing on their core competencies may not be a bad move. As the saying goes, when the fact changes, one changes their mind...especially this looks like both a win-win situation for both parties (One wants to buy, another wants to sell)