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Syngenta sees ChemChina takeover closing in second quarter

Published 08/02/2017, 06:57
© Reuters. The company logo of China National Chemical Corp, or ChemChina, is seen at its headquarters in Beijing
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ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss pesticides and seeds group Syngenta (S:SYNN) expects its $43 billion takeover by ChemChina [CNNCC.UL] to close in the second quarter of 2017 as it makes progress in winning regulatory approval for the deal, it said on Wednesday.

The transaction is important for China, the world's largest agricultural market, which is seeking to secure the food supply for its huge population.

Syngenta's portfolio of top-tier chemicals and patent-protected seeds would boost its potential output.

"ChemChina and Syngenta have made significant progress towards achieving the necessary regulatory approvals and closing the transaction," Syngenta said in announcing 2016 results, noting it had won approvals from 13 regulatory authorities.

It was awaiting approvals from Brazil, Canada, China, the EU, India, Mexico and the United States.

"ChemChina and Syngenta remain fully committed to the transaction and are confident of its closure," it said.

Chief Executive Erik Fyrwald told Reuters he was confident the deal would win approval from China's MOFCOM regulator without causing any delay. The deal was making good progress with U.S. and EU regulators as well, he said.

ChemChina is set to secure conditional EU antitrust approval for its bid, the largest foreign acquisition by a Chinese company, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.

Bridge financing to close the deal was in place and irrevocable, finance chief Mark Patrick said, while the partners were working on the structure of longer-term financing.

Syngenta said it planned to push its annual meeting to June given that it was close to completing the deal.

"With the first settlement of the transaction expected to take place before the AGM, there will not be a proposal for payment of a regular dividend. As previously communicated, a special dividend of 5.00 Swiss francs will be paid conditional upon and prior to the first settlement of the transaction," it said.

Syngenta reported 2016 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $2.66 billion on sales of $12.79 billion.

© Reuters. The company logo of China National Chemical Corp, or ChemChina, is seen at its headquarters in Beijing

Analysts polled by Reuters had on average expected EBITDA to fall 5.9 percent to $2.61 billion on sales down 4.2 percent to $12.85 billion. They had expected it to boost its dividend to 11.60 Swiss francs from 11.00.

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