scorecardresearchPVR-INOX Merger will create a behemoth with significant synergy benefits:

PVR-INOX Merger will create a behemoth with significant synergy benefits: Prabhudas Lilladher

Updated: 30 Mar 2022, 04:43 PM IST
TL;DR.

PVR and Inox have decided to enter into an all stock merger with a swap ratio of 3:10 (3 shares of PVR for 10 shares of Inox).

India's two largest multiplex firms said on Sunday they would merge to create a giant cinema operator with more than 1,500 screens.

India's two largest multiplex firms said on Sunday they would merge to create a giant cinema operator with more than 1,500 screens.

PVR and Inox Leisure Ltd. shares soared on Monday after the two announced a merger that would create the country's largest multiplex chain with over 1,500 screens.

PVR Ltd and Inox Leisure have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction with a common goal in mind. The combined company will be known as PVR Inox. According to the agreement, 3 shares of PVR will be equivalent to 10 shares of Inox, resulting in a share swap ratio that favours the latter.

Stock Swap

PVR and Inox have decided to enter into an all-stock merger with a swap ratio of 3:10 (3 shares of PVR for 10 shares of Inox). The reconstructed board will consist of 10 members wherein both the promoter families will have equal representation with 2 seats each.

PVR’s current MD and CEO, Mr Ajay Bijli will continue as the MD of the merged entity, while the Joint MD, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli will be appointed as the Executive Director. However, Inox’s promoters will be part of the board and not the management team. Pavan Kumar Jain (Chairman) and Siddharth Jain (Director) will hold the position of Non-Executive Chairman and Non-Executive, Non- Independent Director respectively in the merged entity, says Jinesh Joshi, Research Analyst at Prabhudas Lilladher.

The merged entity will operate as PVR-Inox however, existing screens will continue under their respective brand names. Inox’s promoters will be the co-promoters of the merged entity and they will own 16.6% (16.3mn shares) in PVR-Inox while PVR’s promoters will own a 10.6% stake (10.4mn shares).

Swap Ratio of 3:10 implies fresh issue of 36.7mn  
ParticularsPVR INOX
 Current Outstanding shares (mn) 61.0122.3
 Swap Ratio  310
 Fresh Shares to be issued (mn) 36.7 
 Outstanding shares post merger (mn) 97.7 
 Promoters stake post merger  10.6% 16.7%
 Shares held by promoters post merger (mn) 10.4 16.3
 Source:  Prabhudas Lilladher  

"The merger will provide better bargaining power with film distributors and both can exploit each other’s developer relationship. Most importantly, there will be no competition between the two to grab properties and ad-revenue bump up. They can bargain for higher yields given better reach," he added.

“This merger will give PVR-Inox an invincible size advantage with a pan-India network of 1,500+ screens (PVR/Inox have 871/675 screens currently) with a screen market share of 45-50%. In comparison, Carnival and Cinepolis currently have 400 odd screens each. Also, in terms of BO share, the combined entity’s pre-COVID GBOC share was 30% (18% of PVR and 12% of Inox) reflecting clear dominance."

Prabhudas Lilladher analyst predict a target price for PVR of 2,224 per share, around 18% higher than the current market price. For Inox, the target price of 667, which is 31% higher than the current market price.

"We believe the merger can result in material revenue & cost synergies by improving bargaining power with film distributors, real estate developers, ad networks and ticket aggregators", the report said.

The report further said that the merger would not require CCI's approval as the revenue of the combined entity is below the threshold of Rs10bn (FY21).

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of MintGenie.

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First Published: 30 Mar 2022, 04:43 PM IST