FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Somnigroup to Acquire Leggett & Platt in $2.5 Billion Deal

-- Somnigroup International (SGI) on Monday agreed to acquire bedding and furniture components maker Leggett & Platt (LEG) in an all-stock deal worth about $2.5 billion.

Shareholders of Leggett & Platt will receive 0.1455 shares of Somnigroup for each share they own in the company, the firms said in a joint statement. Leggett & Platt investors will own about 9% of the combined company.

Leggett & Platt's stock jumped nearly 9% in the most recent premarket activity, while Somnigroup declined 1.7%.

"Leggett & Platt's strong engineering capabilities, diversified end users and cash-generating financial profile meaningfully enhance our global platform," Somnigroup Chief Executive Scott Thompson said in the statement. Somnigroup anticipates the acquisition to expand its addressable markets in bedding and provide access to non-bedding industries.

The transaction, which requires approval from Leggett & Platt's shareholders and clearance from regulators, is expected to complete by the end of the year. Following completion, Leggett & Platt will operate as a separate business unit within Somnigroup and maintain its offices in Carthage, Missouri.

"This transaction provides Leggett & Platt shareholders with the opportunity to participate in the future growth and value creation of a leading global company on a tax deferred basis," Leggett & Platt CEO Karl Glassman said. Glassman will continue to lead Leggett & Platt after the deal closes and will assist with a transition to a new CEO of the business unit within 12 months of completion.

The combined company is expected to operate 175 manufacturing facilities across 36 countries, with a global workforce of more than 36,000 employees.

Somnigroup and Leggett & Platt estimate the deal to be accretive to adjusted earnings on a per-share basis before synergies in the first year after completion. The companies also expect a positive impact of $50 million on adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization on an annual run-rate basis.

In February, Leggett & Platt reported adjusted EPS of $0.22 for the fourth quarter, up from $0.21 the year before. Sales dropped 11% on a yearly basis to $938.6 million. At the time, the company said it expected adjusted EPS to be in between $1 and $1.20 and sales to be in a range of $3.8 billion to $4 billion for 2026.

Related Articles

Asia

Adisyn Secures Rights to Commercialize Graphene-Based Stealth Technology

Adisyn (ASX:AI1) said 2D Generation's subsidiary, 2D Radar Absorbers, signed a license and research agreement with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Israel's Tel Aviv University, for the exclusive rights to commercialize graphene-based radar signature reduction or stealth technology, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.The technology combines graphene and other 2D materials in composite materials to minimize radar detectability by absorbing and dissipating electromagnetic signals, the filing said.The deal includes a 12-month company-funded research program with Tel Aviv University, expected to cost less than AU$100,000, per the filing.

$ASX:AI1
International

Japan's Trade Surplus Expands in March as Exports to China, US Jump

Japan's trade surplus expanded to nearly 667 billion yen in March from 529.8 billion yen a year earlier as exports outpaced imports, data from the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday showed.Exports during the month climbed 11.7% to 11.003 trillion yen from 9.852 trillion yen, after shipments to its two largest trading partners, China and the US, rose 17.7% and 3.4%, respectively.This March export reading is triple that of the export growth of 4% the month prior.Exports to the Middle East plunged 45.9% while imports fell 10.7%, as the Iran war effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for Japan's oil imports from the region.Overall imports, meanwhile, grew 10.9% on year to 10.336 trillion yen from 9.322 trillion yen, boosted mostly by imports from Asian nations.

$^N225
Asia

Meteoric Resources to Raise AU$40 Million via Share Placement; Shares Up 15%

Meteoric Resources (ASX:MEI) received firm commitments to raise AU$40 million through the placement of about 235.3 million new shares at an AU$0.17 apiece, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.Proceeds will be used to advance the company's Caldeira project in Brazil towards a final investment decision, the filing said.Shares rose nearly 15% in morning trade Wednesday.

$ASX:MEI