DIC latest - the largely wild speculation thread

[baz87]

How can you be so sure. Hicks is the best leveraged buy-out guy in the world. I wouldn't be suprised if he has negoitated that.

Just common sense. Nobody is stupid enough to put a clause in a deal that meant they needed permission for the other shareholder to sell their shares.

[El Jefecito]

Just common sense. Nobody is stupid enough to put a clause in a deal that meant they needed permission for the other shareholder to sell their shares.

k. Ties in with Enemas assertion that he is acting like someone who wants to be a takeover target.

This is all just so confusing

[MattB]

Just common sense. Nobody is stupid enough to put a clause in a deal that meant they needed permission for the other shareholder to sell their shares.

Unless it was a very last minute partnership, struck on the fly because he was desperate and, at the time, saw it as a longer term thing...

[baz87]

k. Ties in with Enemas assertion that he is acting like someone who wants to be a takeover target.

This is all just so confusing

Im not sure that he wants to be bought-out as he knows that we will be worth a hell of a lot more once the new ground is built, however i think he knows there could be little he could do.

Like i said previously, if DIC buyout Gillett and have the backing of the current board then there isn't much that Hicks can do. The key is whether or not Hicks can take his option on Gillett's shares (i don't think he can or will) and whether or not DIC want us desperately enough to take up a hostile takeover.

[baz87]

Unless it was a very last minute partnership, struck on the fly because he was desperate and, at the time, saw it as a longer term thing...

Highly unlikely but i can't imagine Hicks would have wanted the arrangement either. Had Hicks for some reason wanted or needed to sell and he needed Gillett's permission then Gillett would have him over a barrel and could buy him out cheap.

Neither are stupid enough to agree to anything like that. All Hicks has is first refusal and i don't think he's in a position to take it up his option on Gilletts shares.

[Rafa Shankly]

The odd thing though is that DIC walked away when we upped the price a litle bit yet they are now prepared to pay well over the odds. If only they'd paid up then.

thats not the reason at all,why are people still saying this

[MattB]

k. Ties in with Enemas assertion that he is acting like someone who wants to be a takeover target.

This is all just so confusing

His is acting like someone who IS takeover target. Whether he is bluffing or really does have a strong hand is anyone's guess. That would be why he is so successful at making money I suppose

[El Jefecito]

Im not sure that he wants to be bought-out as he knows that we will be worth a hell of a lot more once the new ground is built, however i think he knows there could be little he could do.

Like i said previously, if DIC buyout Gillett and have the backing of the current board then there isn't much that Hicks can do. The key is whether or not Hicks can take his option on Gillett's shares (i don't think he can or will) and whether or not DIC want us desperately enough to take up a hostile takeover.

It sounds like the best approach is the one DIC are taking. Buy out Gillett in the short-term and keep Hicks around long enough that he can get a good return on his investment. When the time is right they can start diluting his holding and over time manage him out. Seems like the key thing is that DIC want total control and will only accept a 51%+ holding.

[Sarb]

Right thats enough...mods...MODS......MODS...stop this!!!

[scouse lad]

Those comments to me read that he has something up his sleeve but it could also mean he is using the media to say he isnt going to go cheap. But Im always wrong.

[MattB]

Put the 'blocking sale' comments to one side and you could just as easily read it as saying he is about to do a deal with DIC

Nowhere does he say that he actually will stop Gillett selling

[Jayesh87]

Of corse he can stop DIC buying GG half, he has first option on his shares so if he can match any offer DIC make he can veto the deal and own 100%.

[the rev leeroy brown]

my hope is that if GG and hicks' relationship really has broken down, then gillette will screw hicks out of his first refusal by uping his asking price so hicks wont be able to buy it himself...then lower his price to allow DIC to buy him out (a man can dream)

[AFII]

Of corse he can stop DIC buying GG half, he has first option on his shares so if he can match any offer DIC make he can veto the deal and own 100%.

Hicks can't afford to buy Gillett's 50% so nothing to really worry about.

[animal magic]

Hicks can't afford to buy Gillett's 50% so nothing to really worry about.

i hope you are right