Lendlease shares crack as watchdog growls at $1.3 billion payday

A lack of competition could prevent this real estate group from cashing in.

| More on:
A businesswoman holding a briefcase rests her head against the glass wall of a city building, she's not having a good day.

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

Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) shares are running in the opposite direction to the rest of the market today.

Shares in the embattled real estate investment group are down 1.8% to $5.59 in morning trade. Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is ratcheting up 1.1% after Wall Street enjoyed another record high last night.

Only 27 of the top 200 companies included in the benchmark index are in the red today, and Lendlease is one of them. The nonconforming move follows an update from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) this morning, throwing a cat among the pigeons at Lendlease.

Competition concerns

On 18 December 2023, Lendlease struck a deal with Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) and Thailand property company Supalai to sell 12 Australian masterplanned community projects for $1.3 billion.

The asset sale is subject to regulatory approvals, which might be a sticking point.

Today, the ACCC — Australia's corporate watchdog — has raised preliminary concerns about the proposed sale. Specifically, the regulator is wary of a lack of competition in masterplanned community projects on a Lendlease exit.

ACCC commissioner Liza Carver detailed the competitive dynamics at play, stating:

We are concerned that the proposed acquisition would remove one of Stockland's closest and largest competitors in the supply of residential masterplanned community housing lots in four regions — the Illawarra, North West Perth, Ipswich, and Moreton Bay.

The ACCC is concerned that the proposed acquisition may increase Stockland's incentive to raise the price, delay the supply, or reduce the quality of housing lots in these regions, to the detriment of prospective homeowners.

Furthermore, Carver explained that the regulator was concerned that other developers may not compete sufficiently with Stockland following Lendlease's sale.

Such concerns are possibly magnified by Australia's ongoing housing crisis. The 2024-2025 Federal Government Budget highlights Australia's below-OECD average housing supply of 420 per 1,000 people, as shown above.

The ACCC has yet to decide whether to allow, block, or amend the deal.

Are Lendlease shares walking a tightrope?

A snapshot of the Lendlease balance sheet on 31 December 2023 shows a business sitting in $3.74 billion of net debt.

The real estate group posted $331 million in negative cash from operations for the 2023 calendar year. If Lendlease is in a large amount of debt and not producing cash from its operations, how will it cover its interest payments?

Part of the push to liquidate some of the group's assets might be due to the questionable financial position. So, if Lendlease was betting on a $1.3 billion payday, a hold-up by the ACCC might pose a financial threat to the company.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Lendlease Group PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL3 Jul 20214 Jul 2024Zoom ▾Sep '21Jan '22May '22Sep '22Jan '23May '23Sep '23Jan '24May '24202220222023202320242024www.fool.com.au

Fortunately for Lendlease shares, the group has other asset sales on the go. After a 49% fall in the share price over three years, the last thing a Lendlease investor would want is to raise capital now.

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 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

A man sits in a chair hunched over a laptop and covered head to toe in frozen icicles to represent Envirosuite's trading halt
Mergers & Acquisitions

Johns Lyng Group shares enter trading halt. Is it a takeover target?

This ASX 200 stock looks ripe for a takeover.

Read more »

Group of people in a gym high five each other surrounded by gym equipment.
Mergers & Acquisitions

This ASX tech stock is hitting a record high on acquisition news

The market is responding positively to this news. Let's dig deeper into it.

Read more »

Two people shaking hands in the boardroom on a merger.
Mergers & Acquisitions

What did Macquarie make of the Brickworks and Soul Patts merger?

Macquarie sees simplification, scale, and upside… but it also has a warning..

Read more »

A cool young man walking in a laneway holding a takeaway coffee in one hand and his phone in the other reacts with surprise as he reads the latest news on his mobile phone
Mergers & Acquisitions

PointsBet share price surges 11% on improved takeover offer

The bidding war for PointsBet shares continues apace today.

Read more »

A couple sit in front of a laptop reading ASX shares news articles and learning about ASX 200 bargain buys
Share Gainers

Why are Soul Patts shares up 9% today?

A marriage proposal has seen investors flock to this company.

Read more »

A young woman holds her hand to her mouth in surprise as she reads something on her laptop.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Why are Brickworks shares up 18% today?

Let's find out what is getting investors excited this morning.

Read more »

Two hands being shaken symbolising a deal.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Soul Patts to merge with Brickworks shares: What does this mean for investors?

These two blue chips are merging as part of a $14 billion deal.

Read more »

The last piece of the jigsaw being fitted, indicating good news for a share price on merger or acquisition
Mergers & Acquisitions

WiseTech share price storms higher on $3.25b blockbuster acquisition

What is the company spending billions on? Let's find out.

Read more »