Brown-Forman Shares Slide 6% After Merger Talks Collapse with Pernod Ricard
Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard ended merger talks after failing to agree on deal structure and financial terms. Shares of Brown-Forman fell about 6% in pre-market and 4% post-market following the breakdown and a prior $32-per-share bid valuing the company at $15 billion.
1. Failed Negotiations with Pernod Ricard
Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard ceased merger discussions after being unable to agree on deal structure, financial terms and governance arrangements, with the Brown family’s voting control cited as a complicating factor.
2. Impact on Share Price
Brown-Forman shares dropped approximately 6% in pre-market trading and 4% in after-hours trading immediately after the announcement of the collapsed talks.
3. Sazerac's $32-Per-Share Bid
Privately held Sazerac made a $32-per-share offer valuing Brown-Forman at about $15 billion but has not issued any public comment, as Brown-Forman had indicated a preference for terms with Pernod Ricard.