APM share price placed on ice as $1.8 billion deal goes dud

It's all question marks and raised eyebrows for shareholders of this ASX company today.

| More on:
A man sits in a chair hunched over a laptop and covered head to toe in frozen icicles to represent Envirosuite's trading halt

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

The APM Human Services International Ltd (ASX: APM) share price has become an immovable object today as shares enter a trading halt.

Stationary at $1.63 apiece, the employment and health services provider's shares are locked down until the company responds to the latest development in its pursuit by a private equity firm.

Currently, APM shares are up 29.4% for the year. Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) — which APM is a member of — is up a meagre 2.2%.

Pulling the plug

CVC Asia Pacific is now walking away from acquiring APM after serving up a more generous bid on 28 February of $2.00 per share.

Details are sparse right now. All that was said in this morning's trading halt request was APM had been advised, by way of letter, that it is 'unable to proceed to finalise a transaction on terms consistent with their non-binding offer as disclosed to the ASX on 28 February 2024'.

This doesn't give investors much insight into why CVC has chosen to walk back its takeover intentions. One would hope that APM will give clarity when it delivers its response to the decision. However, there is also a chance the private equity firm didn't elaborate to APM either.

CVC outlined several conditions for its revised takeover bid in February. These included key APM personnel accepting most of the payment as shares. Furthermore, the deal was subject to due diligence and debt financing.

At this stage, it is unclear which of the above items (if any) were the stumbling block for the takeover.

What could it mean for the APM share price?

APM shareholders could be slightly worried about how the share price fares once trading resumes. For context, APM shares were hovering around 84 cents before rumours of an approach surfaced last month.

If the company's shares were to head back to 84 cents it would represent a 48% fall from its current stature.

However, at that price, APM would trade on a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.5 times. Meanwhile, the average P/E ratio for the global professional services industry sits at 21.3 times earnings.

Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended APM Human Services International. 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

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Mergers & Acquisitions

IAG share price lifts off on strategic alliance approval

IAG shares are racing higher in Thursday’s sinking market.

Read more »

a group of business people sit dejectedly around a table, each expressing desolation, sadness and disappointment by holding their head in their hands, casting their gazes down and looking very glum.
Mergers & Acquisitions

This ASX 300 share is sinking 33% on takeover collapse fears

Is this takeover dead? Let's find out what is happening.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Why is this ASX 200 stock crashing 15%?

What has sent investors rushing to the exits? Let's find out.

Read more »

a woman drawing image on wall of big fish about to eat a small fish
Mergers & Acquisitions

Guess which ASX All Ords stock just received a takeover offer

A private equity firm has its eyes on this stock.

Read more »

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

Guess which ASX stock just rocketed 21% on takeover news

Investors are piling into the ASX stock following a confirmed takeover offer.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Gold Road shares surge 10% on $3.7 billion takeover offer

The ASX 200 gold stock is soaring after finding itself in the acquisition crosshairs.

Read more »

A corporate team or board stands together and looks out the window.
Technology Shares

WiseTech shares charge higher on $3.5b acquisition news

This tech stock is ending the week positively. But why?

Read more »

Two CEOs shaking hands on a deal.
Financial Shares

This ASX 300 stock is jumping on surprise merger news

This stock could be having a very big makeover.

Read more »