PARK RIDGE, NJ – Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced they signed a definitive agreement providing for Hertz to acquire Dollar Thrifty for a purchase price of $41 per share, in a mix of cash and Hertz common stock, based on Friday's closing stock price. When completed, Hertz anticipates that the transaction will be immediately accretive to annual adjusted earnings per share.
Mark P. Frissora, Hertz's chairman and CEO, said, "Combining Hertz and Dollar Thrifty is an excellent strategic fit. Dollar Thrifty is a $1.6 billion business with more than 1,550 corporate and franchise rental locations worldwide which, when combined with our global network, will serve rental customers on six continents from approximately 9,800 locations. Together we will be able to compete even more effectively and efficiently against other multi-brand car rental companies, offering customers a full range of rental options in the U.S. between the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Advantage brands. Dollar Thrifty also has a strong international presence, complementing our global footprint, which enables us to utilize a recognized brand to accelerate our leisure rental strategy in Europe and other markets. Financially, we believe the deal is attractive, accretive to earnings and structured to maintain Hertz's strong credit profile. We've identified at least $180 million of synergies already, primarily in fleet, IT systems and procurement, enabling our companies to operate at an even lower cost," he added.
Scott L. Thompson, Dollar Thrifty's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The combination of Dollar Thrifty with a larger company like Hertz will provide Dollar Thrifty with greater resources and the technology needed to expand our value focused leisure brands. We see the combination of our brands with Hertz's brands as very compelling."
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the $41 per share purchase price is comprised of 80-percent cash consideration and 20-percent stock consideration. The cash portion will be paid in two components:
A $200 million special cash dividend representing approximately $6.88 per share, to be paid by Dollar Thrifty immediately prior to the transaction closing.
$25.92 per share to be paid by Hertz at the closing. The stock is at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.6366 per share, based upon a Hertz common stock closing price of $12.88 per share on April 23, 2010. The $41 per share purchase price represents approximately a 19-percent premium to the 30-day average closing price of Dollar Thrifty's common stock.
At the closing, Hertz will issue an aggregate of approximately 18 million shares of its common stock (excluding shares issuable upon the exercise of options that are being converted to Hertz options) and pay an aggregate of approximately $750 million in cash (excluding the special $200 million Dollar Thrifty dividend). Hertz intends to fund the cash portion of the purchase price with existing liquidity from the combined company. Hertz will also assume or refinance Dollar Thrifty's existing fleet debt, outstanding at closing. Upon the close of the transaction, Dollar Thrifty stockholders will own approximately 5.5 percent of the combined company on a diluted basis. Dollar Thrifty will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz and Dollar Thrifty common stock will cease trading on the NYSE.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals, approval by Dollar Thrifty stockholders and payment of the special dividend. The transaction is not conditioned on receipt of financing by Hertz.
Barclays Capital acted as lead financial advisor to Hertz and Bank of America Merrill Lynch also provided advice. Hertz also worked with the law firms Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Jones Day. Dollar Thrifty was advised by J.P.Morgan and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.
