The Deal Between RWE And E.ON Ends The Existence Of Integrated Companies In Germany’s Energy Sector

E.On

German energy firms RWE and E.ON have announced an exchange of assets as part of a major deal which will transform the country’s electricity sector and could be worth some 20-22 billion euros (which according to Alphavalue’s calculations corresponds to an EV of 43 billion euros: market cap + debt).

In a first stage, E.ON will buy 76.8% of Innogy, RWEs subidiary which manages its renewables, networks and distribution business. In addition, E.ON will launch a bid for the rest of Innogy at 40 euros/share (36,76 euros/share in cash and 3,21 euros/share corresponding to the 2017 and 2018 dividends). Innogy shares closed on Friday at 34,53 euros each. In a second stage, E.ON will transfer to RWE all its renewable assets (both its own and Innogy’s), gas storage assets and its stakes in two nuclear plants (Emsland and Gundremmingen). RWE will acquire 16.67% of E.ON via a capital hike and will pay out 1.5 billion euros to cover the difference in valuation. Due to the complexity of the operation, this asset exchange is not expected to be finally closed until the third quarter of 2019.

After this asset exchange, RWE will focus on energy generation, conventional and renewable, while E.ON will focus on commercialisation, networks and energy distribution.

For Bankinter, this exchange of assets “puts an end to the existence of integrated companies and specialisation in Germany’s energy sector.” They add:

The German government’s decision to abandon nuclear energy after the Fukushima disaster (March 2011), gradually withdraw from fossil fuels and bet on renewables, has obliged the country’s energy sector to embark on a massive change and restructure their production. E.ON’s market capitalisation is 18.6 billion euros, while RWE’s is 11 billion.

E.ON will make a capital hike (20%). Meanwhile, Innogy has released its end-2017 results and guidance for 2018. From the 2017 results it is worthwhile to highlight adjusted EBIT of 2.8 billion euros (renewables 355 million, grid 1.9 billion and retail 800 million). Estimates for 2018 of adjusted EBIT of 2.7 billion euros (renewables 350 million, grid 1.8 billion and retail 700 million). The company is proposing an annual dividend for 2017 of 1,6 euros/share. It expects annual savings of 400 million euros until 2020.

The German energy company RWE posted profits in 2017 compared with losses in 2016. Net profit stood at 1.9 billion euros, compared with a net loss of 5.7 billion euros in 2016. But the figure was below the consensus estimate for 2.370 billion euros, according to figures supplied by RWE. Adjusted net profit was 1.230 billion euros compared with 777 million a year earlier, slightly above the consensus estimate for 1.220 billion euros. The company also said it will propose a dividend of 1,50 euros/share for 2017, including a special dividend of 1,00 euros. For 2018, it expects to increase its ordinary dividend to 0,70 euros/share.

The electricity firm revealed solid 2017 results, beating expectations. Adjusted operating profit and net profit reached the high end of guidance at 3.1 billion euros and 1.4 billion respectively.

There was also some positive news on net debt, which fell significantly more than expected, closing 2017 at 19.2 billion euros. RWE has proposed a dividend of 0,3 euros/share, in line with forecasts, and 0,43 euros/ for 2018.

The deal with E.ON should benefit both parties, with a bigger positive impact for RWE in the short-term, given that E.ON would be paying a premium of 16% (PER 18x).

Overall, the transaction is positive for the sector and, in valuation terms, companies like Engie, Iberdrola and Enel can benefit from the price paid for Innogy as they have similar profiles.

 

 

 

 

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