SUMMARY NOTES
Since August 2003, 138 blank check companies have gone public, raising gross proceeds totaling $16,105,092,033 (give or take a buck or two). Another 48 companies currently have registration statements on file with the SEC and are looking to raise an additional $8,336,120,608 (once again, give or take a buck or two). Eight other companies have withdrawn their registration statements, two of which subsequently went public on London’s AIM stock exchange where they raised gross proceeds totaling $381 million.
40 blank check companies have actually completed acquisitions, and another 23 companies have deals pending. Eight companies have failed to close on their proposed acquisitions and have either been liquidated or are currently in liquidation.
Of the 40 blank check companies that have closed on acquisitions, the securities of 20 companies are trading above their offering prices, some at substantial premiums. To date, energy, China, and shipping related acquisitions have been the most successful sectors targeted by the blank check companies. All of the 23 companies that have deals pending, the securities of only three companies are trading below their offering prices, which is not surprising when you take into consideration the fact that the non-insider shareholders will receive cash distributions if the acquisitions are not approved.
There have been several high profile transactions. The first was the acquisition of Jamba Juice Company by Services Acquisition Corporation International. Freedom Acquisition Holdings recently closed on the acquisition of GLG Partners. Another prospective high profile transaction is the pending acquisition of American Apparel by Endeavor Acquisition. The shareholders of Endeavor are scheduled to vote on this transaction on December 12, 2007. |
