Appen share price rockets 35% on Telus takeover approach

Appen shares are rocketing on Thursday after receiving a takeover approach…

| More on:
Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The Appen share price is rocketing after the AI company received a takeover proposal from TELUS International
  • TELUS has tabled a $9.50 per share offer, which represents a 48% premium to yesterday's closing price
  • This has offset the release of a particularly weak trading update

The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price has come flying out of the gates on Thursday morning.

In early trade, the artificial intelligence services company's shares were up as much as 35% to $8.64.

The Appen share price has pulled back a touch since then but remains up 29% to $8.29.

Why is the Appen share price rocketing higher?

Investors have been scrambling to get hold of Appen's shares today after it revealed that it has received a takeover approach.

According to the release, the company has received an unsolicited, conditional, and non-binding indicative proposal from TELUS International to acquire it for $9.50 per share. This values Appen at approximately $1.2 billion.

Based on the Appen share price at the close of play on Wednesday, this offer represents a 46% premium for shareholders. Though, it is still well short of its 52-week high of $14.67 and two-year high of ~$40.00.

Will a deal be made?

Appen advised that it is looking over the offer but doesn't sound overly keen to accept it. This may explain why the Appen share price is still trading at a sizeable 13% discount to the offer price.

It commented:

The Board is in discussions with Telus to seek an improvement in the terms of the Indicative Proposal. To facilitate this, the Board has offered to provide, on a non-exclusive basis, limited business and financial information, subject to Telus agreeing to enter into a mutually acceptable confidentiality and standstill agreement, which it has yet to execute. At this point in time, no material non-public information has been provided to Telus.

Trading update

It may prove quite fortuitous that the company received a takeover approach, because without it the Appen share price may have come under pressure from the release of a particularly weak trading update.

That update reveals that Appen's year-to-date revenue was lower than it was at this time last year at the end of April.

In light of this, the company expects its first half earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to be "materially lower than the prior corresponding period."

And while management expects its second-half performance to be stronger, its guidance has been wide of the mark in recent years so this is far from guaranteed.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Appen Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Mergers & Acquisitions

Projection of two hands being shaken on a deal.
Materials Shares

Sayona Mining shares sink 13% on Piedmont Lithium merger news and capital raise

This merger will create the largest lithium producer in North America.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

Down 28% in 2024, why this ASX 200 lithium stock could now be 'deeply undervalued'

The ASX 200 lithium stock has drawn plenty of investor attention over the past month.

Read more »

Woman looking at her tablet at a warehouse.
Mergers & Acquisitions

ASX 200 stock slides on huge $13 billion buyout news

ASX 200 investors are mulling over the $13 billion merger implications on Wednesday.

Read more »

Rocket powering up and symbolising a rising share price.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Guess which ASX microcap stock just rocketed 67% on takeover news

Investors are sending the ASX microcap stock flying amid a takeover bid.

Read more »

A group of business people pump the air and cheer.
Mergers & Acquisitions

This ASX small-cap stock is exploding 75% on takeover news!

The takeover premium is large.

Read more »

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Guess which ASX stock just rocketed 40% on takeover news

A colossal company finds value in the small end of our ASX town.

Read more »

Data Centre Technology
Mergers & Acquisitions

ASX 200 stock nabs $400 million data centre amid AI rush

Another way to invest in the enablers of artificial intelligence is being built.

Read more »

two men in business suits sit across from each other at a table with a chess board on it. Both hold their hands to their chins and look down in serious contemplation of their next move.
Resources Shares

'Not ruled out': Could BHP still buy Anglo-American?

This mega-deal might not be as dead as it looks.

Read more »