Sunday, April 07, 2013

$12.50 and $13.59

The ink wasn't even dry on the press release announcing that Cole Credit Property Trust III (CCPT III) had rejected American Realty Capital Properties' (ARCP) latest $13.59 per share buyout offer when CCPT III proclaimed that it had completed the purchase of its sponsor, Cole Holdings.  Here is a Bloomberg article on the purchase.  The speed of the completion tells me the outcome was fait accompli - CCPT III was intent on buying its sponsor regardless of any outside offer, whether from ARCP or any other company.  CCPT III's Special Committee really was special - for Cole Holdings.

This morning, Chris Cole, 100% owner of Cole Holdings, is $20 million in cash richer.  He also pocketed 10,711,225 shares of CCPT III stock, and gets another 2,142,245 shares of CCPT III stock when CCPT III lists it shares.  At $10.00 per share, the price paid for their shares by CCPT III investors, this totals nearly $150 million.  (And don't forget all the additional compensation - including a $7.5 million upfront cash bonus as part Mr. Cole's new employment package,  a potential Subordinated Incentive Listing Fee (at a benevolent 25% discount) if the new Cole Real Estate Investments, Inc. trades above $10.45, and a future, potential "earn out" in 2017, all of which could push the price CCPT III paid for Cole Holdings much higher then $150 million.)  

If I have learned one thing over the years it's that the only thing a rich guy wants is more money.   When a rich guys feels entitled to a big payday and sees big wad of investor cash that can make a payday happen, the avarice is compounded.   

While Chris Cole's $20 million Friday is easy to determine and tangible, the outcome for investors this morning is less certain.  ARCP's last offer for CCPT III was either $12.50 per share in cash, or shares in ARCP with a value of $13.59 per share for CCPT III investors.   CCPT III's Special Committee rejected this offer as insufficient, among other reasons.  Cole, to date, has offered no price assurance to investors upon the listing of Cole Real Estate Investments.  It now has its lofty price points - $12.50 per share and $13.59 per share - and they are known by every investor, broker, broker / dealer and Cole competitor. 

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

He doesn't care...he's on the beach

Anonymous said...

Future? He doesn't care, he's on the beach...

Anonymous said...

Do some research. Cole should not be taking this deal. As a shareholder, I'm grateful for this news! ARC would damage a profitable and properly managed Cole. It's more than possible that this backfires on ARC. Cole may take them over in the not too distant future.

Anonymous said...

^ Because you are a non-traded REIT shareholder, I totally discount your comments because, by owning shares, you prove your own idiocy.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't put everyone in that category anonymous. I've done pretty well with my transactions. If you're going to bash someone's point of view, try to make a good point or argument.

Anonymous said...

Wow. ARCP would damage Cole??? Anonymous at 10:10am. You could not be more wrong. ARCP at $17, good luck Cole. ARCP will surprise you again and again. Cole is now an afterthought.