FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy Inc. on February 11 announced that both companies' boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement in which the companies would combine in a stock-for-stock transaction.
Under the terms of the agreement, Allegheny shareholders would receive 0.667 shares of FirstEnergy common stock in exchange for each share of Allegheny they own. Based on the closing stock prices for both companies on February 10, 2010, Allegheny shareholders would receive a value of $27.65 per share, or $4.7 billion in the aggregate. FirstEnergy will also assume approximately $3.8 billion in Allegheny net debt. The price per share represents a premium of 31.6 percent to the closing stock price of Allegheny on February 10, 2010, and a 22.3 percent premium to the average stock price of Allegheny over the last 60 days ending February 10, 2010. Following the completion of the merger, it is anticipated that FirstEnergy shareholders would own approximately 73 percent and Allegheny shareholders would own approximately 27 percent of the combined company.
The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to FirstEnergy earnings in the first year following the close. The companies expect to complete the transaction within 12-14 months.
The combination creates a leading regional energy provider with:
- Approximately $16 billion in annual revenues and $1.4 billion in annual net income (combined figures as of December 31, 2009);
- Ten regulated electric distribution companies providing electric service to more than six million customers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia;
- Nearly 20,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic;
- Approximately 24,000 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from a diversified mix of regional coal, nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable power; and
- More than 2,200 MW of renewable energy, including hydroelectric, contracted wind and pumped-storage capacity.
"The combination of our companies is a natural fit that will accelerate our efforts to strengthen the operating performance of our generating fleet while building on our long-standing dedication to customers, shareholders and employees," said Anthony J. Alexander, president and chief executive officer of FirstEnergy. "This transaction will provide outstanding value to both companies' shareholders – offering enhanced earnings growth potential and a more competitive cost structure. Among other benefits, it would increase generation resources by 70 percent, more than double the amount of supercritical coal capacity, improve the overall environmental performance of the generation fleet, and increase our customer base by 35 percent. We also expect to create significant efficiencies and economies of scale as we share best practices across the new organization.
"This combination supports our strategy of being a leading regional energy provider, focused on both regulated utility operations and our competitive generation business," Mr. Alexander said. "Simply put, it provides a far better platform for growth than either company would have been capable of achieving on a stand-alone basis."
Paul J. Evanson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Allegheny, said, "This transaction significantly enhances value for our shareholders, who will receive both a meaningful premium and a substantial increase in the dividend based on FirstEnergy's current practice. The combined company will have substantial upside potential with increased scale and a more diverse generation fleet. We plan on working closely with FirstEnergy to integrate the businesses while maintaining both companies' long-standing focus on reliability, customer service, quality and safety."
Strategic Fit Supports Long-Term Value Creation:
- Complementary portfolio of generating assets would strengthen the combined company's operational performance
- Diverse assets anchored by efficient nuclear and supercritical fossil units
- Broader geographic reach
- More cost-effective fuel procurement options and operations and maintenance savings
- Favorable environmental profile with a diverse mix of fully scrubbed baseload fossil, non-emitting nuclear and renewable generation, including large-scale storage
- Combination of distribution and transmission assets would create new opportunities
- Adjacent geographic footprints for mutual operational support and enhanced service to customers
- Improved transmission operation and coordination as a result of network's scale and scope
- Planned growth in transmission business with major projects underway
- Pre-tax synergies (prior to costs to achieve) growing from approximately $180 million in the first full year of the combination to $350 million in the second year
- Realized across a wide range of business segments but primarily derived from competitive operations
- Strong financial position would support growth, providing shareholders with an attractive total return potential
- Solid balance sheet with strong operating cash flows
- Ability to fund growth in both regulated and competitive businesses
- Experienced management has the proven ability to integrate companies and to create long-term shareholder value
Structure and Organization
Following completion of the merger, the combined company would retain the FirstEnergy name and be headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The company's customers will continue to be served by their current electric utility companies including: Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec); Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power); Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed); Allegheny Power (including: West Penn Power Company; Monongahela Power Company; The Potomac Edison Company); Ohio Edison Company; The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI); The Toledo Edison Company; and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).
Anthony J. Alexander will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer of FirstEnergy. Paul J. Evanson, currently chairman, president and chief executive officer of Allegheny, will become executive vice chairman of the combined company, reporting to Mr. Alexander. The FirstEnergy board will be expanded from 11 to 13 people with two additional directors from Allegheny.
A transition team and transition steering committee comprised of senior executives from both companies will be formed.
Approvals and Timing
The merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of both companies, as well as expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PaPUC), the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The merger is also conditioned on effectiveness at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the FirstEnergy registration statement with respect to the shares to be issued in the transaction. The companies anticipate that the necessary approvals will be obtained within 12 to 14 months.
