Schroders offers 424m pounds for Cazenove Capital - UPDATE

25th Mar 2013 07:15

Schroders has reached agreement on a recommended 135p-a-share offer for Cazenove Capital that values the investment business at 424m pounds.The FTSE 100-listed asset management group, which confirmed rumours of a possible cash offer on Friday, said that the move reflects its strategy of "growing our Private Banking business and, in addition, it strengthens our position in UK Intermediary", the group said on Monday morning.David Mayhew, the Chairman of Cazenove Capital, said that the board unanimously recommends the transaction, which "brings together two long-standing organisations with close cultural values". He said that the deal was a "strategic fit" and on "attractive financial terms".When including Cazenove's £17.2bn of assets under management (AuM), Schroders' pro-forma AuM would have stood at £22.92bn at December 31st 2012.Schroders said that the acquisition will provide economies of scale, mainly in UK funds distribution and infrastructure, that will see £12-15m of pre-tax cost synergies ever year. It will be earnings enhancing after amortisation of intangible assets in the first full financial year."Cazenove Capital's culture of client focus and investment excellence are a strong fit with Schroders," said Schroders Chief Executive Michael Dobson. "This transaction creates a leading, independent Private Banking and Wealth Management business in the UK, and brings additional investment talent in complementary strategies across UK and European equities, multi-manager and fixed income to Asset Management. I am confident the transaction will create long-term value and benefits for clients, shareholders and employees."Writing on the transaction Morgan Stanley has highlighted that it sees a decent "cultural" fit, with mid-single digit or better [earnings] accretion likely, based on 2012 financials and given the strong start to the year. The broker has reiterated its 'overweight' rating on the firm. For their part, this is what broker Canaccord had to say on the subject: "Schroders' new-found appetite to use surplus cash to broaden the scope and size of its business, we believe, is positive and value enhancing. The firm's strong global distribution platform should enable synergies in the acquired entities."