News for Kerry Logistics Network Limited (KYL.F)

(Bloomberg) -- SF Holding Co., one of the largest Chinese package-delivery services, is seeking to acquire control of tycoon Robert Kuok’s Kerry Logistics Network Ltd. in a HK$17.6 billion ($2.3 billion) deal for its global expansion.The Chinese courier plans to buy a 51.8% stake in Hong Kong-listed Kerry Logistics at HK$18.8 per share, according to a joint statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday. Bloomberg News reported last week that SF Holding was exploring a potential investment in the company.Kerry Logistics also plans to sell some warehouse assets for HK$13.5 billion and its Taiwan business for NT$4.5 billion ($161 million) to its parent company, the statement said. Kerry Logistics proposes a special dividend of HK$7.28 per share conditional on the completion of the warehouses sale. Shareholders who accept the SF’s offer will receive HK$26.08 including the special dividend, representing an 11% premium to the last closing price.Kuok, who is Malaysia’s richest person, controls Kerry Logistics through his family holding company Kerry Group and its Hong Kong-listed real estate arm Kerry Properties Ltd. SF Holding will offer cash for the Kerry Logistics stake and plans to keep the company listed in Hong Kong. After the transaction, Kerry Properties’s holding in the logistics firm will be cut to about 20% from 40%.Read more: China’s SF Seeks Up to HK$24b Loan for Kerry Logistics Deal“The deal demonstrated the Kuok family’s vote of confidence to SF Holding and to myself,” SF Holding Chairman Dick Wong said in a press briefing on Wednesday. “While Kerry Group gave us the control of the company, we’ll still jointly manage Kerry Logistics together in the future.”Shares in SF Holding jumped by their 10% limit in Shenzhen after trading resumed. Kerry Logistics climbed as much as 10.5% to a record high in Hong Kong, while Kerry Properties gained as much as 19% in its biggest intraday advance since May 2009.The deal will help SF Holding boost its distribution network and supply-chain services as it gains a footprint across Asia. Kerry Logistics would become the Chinese courier’s primary vehicle for international expansion. SF Holding’s shares have more than doubled over the past 12 months, helping it surpass FedEx Corp. in value and giving it a market capitalization of about $83 billion.The Chinese group owns courier service SF Express, which has benefitted from the rise in online shopping in China fueled by companies like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and JD.com Inc. In 2019, SF Holding completed the acquisition of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s supply chain assets in China for 5.5 billion yuan ($855 million).Kerry Logistics offers air freight, trucking and ocean cargo services as well as customs brokerage and cross-border logistics for e-commerce companies. Its clients include fashion brands, food and beverage distributors, consumer goods companies, electronics manufacturers and other companies throughout the region.Kerry Properties may pay a special dividend as the developer could raise its cash position by as much as about HK$9.3 billion by selling its stake in Kerry Logistics, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Patrick Wong.JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the financial adviser to SF Holding, while the Kerry Group companies have Citigroup Inc. as their financial adviser.(Adds SF Holding Chairman’s comment in fifth paragraph.)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

(Bloomberg) -- SF Holding Co., one of the largest Chinese package-delivery services, is exploring a potential investment in tycoon Robert Kuok’s listed logistics business, people with knowledge of the matter said.The Chinese courier is in talks to acquire a minority stake in Kerry Logistics Network Ltd., according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Kerry Logistics shares have risen 38% in Hong Kong trading this year, giving the company a market value of about $5.4 billion.Kerry Logistics is also considering selling some assets to its parent company, the people said. Kuok, who is Malaysia’s richest person, controls the firm through his family holding company Kerry Group and its publicly-traded real estate arm Kerry Properties Ltd. Details of a potential transaction are still being discussed, and the structure of the deal could change, the people said.Trading in Kerry Properties and Kerry Logistics was halted in Hong Kong on Friday, pending inside information announcement.Shares of Shenzhen-listed SF Holding have nearly tripled over the past 12 months, helping the company surpass FedEx Corp. in value and giving it a market capitalization of about $75 billion. The group owns courier service SF Express, which has benefitted from the rise in online shopping in China fueled by companies like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and JD.com Inc. In 2019, SF Holding completed the acquisition of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s supply chain assets in China for 5.5 billion yuan ($850 million).There’s no certainty the deliberations will lead to a transaction, the people said. Representatives for SF Holding, Kerry Group, Kerry Logistics and Kerry Properties didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.Kerry Logistics provides warehousing, distribution and supply chain solutions to companies across Asia. Its offerings include air freight, trucking and ocean cargo services as well as customs brokerage and cross-border logistics for e-commerce companies.Clients of Kerry Logistics include fashion brands, food and beverage distributors, consumer goods companies, electronics manufacturers and other companies throughout the region. The company also offers package delivery services in seven Asian markets under the Kerry Express brand, according to its website.(Adds trading halts in fourth paragraph.)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.