As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 2008
Registration No. 333-152781
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Bunge Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
2070 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
98-0231912 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
||
50 Main Street White Plains, New York 10606 (914) 684-2800 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) |
Carla L. Heiss, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Bunge Limited
50 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10606
(914) 684-2800
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
with copies to:
John J. Madden, Esq. Clare O'Brien, Esq. Shearman & Sterling LLP 599 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10022 (212) 848-4000 |
Mary Ann Hynes, Esq. Corn Products International, Inc. 5 Westbrook Corporate Center Westchester, Illinois 60154 (708) 551-2600 |
John M. O'Hare, Esq. Robert L. Verigan, Esq. Sidley Austin LLP One South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 853-7000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement and the effective time of the merger of Bleecker Acquisition Corp., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant, with and into Corn Products International, Inc., as described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of June 21, 2008, as amended, included as Annex A to the joint proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of this Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ý | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered(1) |
Amount to be Registered(2) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(3) |
Amount of Registration Fee(4) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share | 40,973,192 | N/A | $3,630,365,590 | $142,674(5) | ||||
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this document is not complete and may be changed. Bunge may not sell the securities offered by this document until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This document is not an offer to sell these securities, and Bunge is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARYSUBJECT TO COMPLETIONDATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
Dear Shareholders:
We are pleased to report that the boards of directors of Bunge Limited and Corn Products International, Inc. have approved a merger of Corn Products with Bunge. Before the merger can be completed, the shareholders of Bunge must vote to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement, and the stockholders of Corn Products must vote to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of June 21, 2008, among Bunge, Bleecker Acquisition Corp., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge, and Corn Products, as amended. Bunge and Corn Products are sending you this joint proxy statement/prospectus to ask you to vote in favor of these matters.
In the merger, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. will merge with and into Corn Products and Corn Products will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge. As a result of the merger, Corn Products stockholders will be entitled to receive in exchange for each of their shares of Corn Products common stock a fraction of a Bunge common share determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting, provided that if this average closing price is equal to or greater than $133.10, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.4207 of a Bunge common share, and if this average closing price is equal to or less than $108.90, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.5142 of a Bunge common share. Based on the number of shares of Corn Products common stock and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and settlement of other stock-based awards outstanding as of , 2008, a maximum of , and a minimum of , Bunge common shares will be issued in the merger.
The merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and Corn Products stockholders are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of shares of Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares in the merger, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional Bunge common shares.
Bunge common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BG". On , 2008, the last trading day before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Bunge's closing price was $ per share. Corn Products common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CPO". On , 2008, the last trading day before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Corn Products' closing price was $ per share. You should obtain current market quotations for Bunge common shares and Corn Products common stock.
Bunge will hold a special general meeting of its shareholders on November , 2008 at the time and place indicated in the Bunge notice of special general meeting to consider and vote on the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders. Corn Products will hold a special meeting of its stockholders on November , 2008 at the time and place indicated in the Corn Products notice of special meeting of stockholders to consider and vote on adoption of the merger agreement. The merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the approval of Bunge shareholders and Corn Products stockholders.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. We cannot complete the merger unless (i) Bunge shareholders approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders and (ii) Corn Products stockholders adopt the merger agreement. Whether or not you plan to attend your special meeting, please take the time to vote by completing, signing, dating and returning the accompanying proxy card or appoint your proxy by telephone or the Internet as soon as possible. If you hold your shares in "street name", you should instruct your broker how to vote in accordance with your voting instruction form. If you are a Corn Products stockholder and you do not submit your proxy card, instruct your broker how to vote your shares, or vote in person at the Corn Products special meeting, it will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement. Returning the proxy does NOT deprive you of your right to attend your special meeting and to vote your shares in person.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides detailed information concerning the merger, the proposals to be considered at the special meetings and the special meetings. Additional information regarding Bunge and Corn Products has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is publicly available. We encourage you to read carefully this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, including all of its annexes, and we especially encourage you to read the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 26.
We enthusiastically support the proposed combination of Bunge and Corn Products. The Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present at a meeting duly called, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that Bunge shareholders vote "FOR" the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement. The Corn Products board of directors, by unanimous vote, has determined that the merger is in the best interests of Corn Products and its stockholders, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that Corn Products stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement.
Alberto Weisser | Samuel C. Scott III | |||
Chairman of the Board of Directors | Chairman, President | |||
and Chief Executive Officer | and Chief Executive Officer |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Bunge common shares to be issued by Bunge under this document or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated , 2008 and is first being
mailed to
Bunge shareholders and Corn Products stockholders on or about , 2008.
BUNGE LIMITED
NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER , 2008
Bunge
Limited
50 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10606
U.S.A.
, 2008
To the shareholders of Bunge Limited:
A special general meeting of shareholders of Bunge Limited will be held on November , 2008, at , Eastern Time, at for the following purposes:
September 29, 2008 is the record date for determining which shareholders are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Bunge special general meeting and at any subsequent adjournments or postponements. The share register will not be closed between the record date and the date of the Bunge special general meeting.
We cannot complete the merger unless the proposed issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders is approved by a majority of votes cast by Bunge shareholders at the Bunge special general meeting, and the total number of votes cast at the Bunge special general meeting represents over 50% of all outstanding Bunge common shares. The joint proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice explains the merger, the merger agreement and the proposals to be considered at the Bunge special general meeting. Please review this document carefully.
The Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present at a meeting duly called, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the proposal to issue Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement and "FOR" the approval of the proposal to adjourn the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
So that your shares will be represented whether or not you attend the Bunge special general meeting, please sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided at your earliest convenience. Record holders may also vote by telephone or the Internet by following the instructions printed on your proxy card.
You will be required to bring certain documents with you to be admitted to the Bunge special general meeting. Please read carefully the sections in the joint proxy statement/prospectus on attending and voting at the Bunge special general meeting to ensure that you comply with these requirements.
By order of the Board of Directors. |
|
James Macdonald Secretary |
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER , 2008
To the stockholders of Corn Products International, Inc.:
A special meeting of stockholders of Corn Products International, Inc. will be held on November , 2008, at , local time, at , for the following purposes:
Only stockholders who owned shares of Corn Products common stock at the close of business on September 29, 2008, the record date for the Corn Products special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Corn Products special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of it.
We cannot complete the merger unless the merger agreement is adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting. Corn Products stockholders have no dissenters' rights under Delaware law in connection with the merger. The joint proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice explains the merger and the merger agreement and provides specific information concerning the Corn Products special meeting. Please review the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully.
The Corn Products board of directors, by unanimous vote, determined that the merger is in the best interests of Corn Products and its stockholders, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that the Corn Products stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement and "FOR" the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Corn Products special meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope or appoint your proxy by telephone or the Internet as soon as possible. If you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record, you may vote your shares in accordance with the voting instruction form received from your bank, broker or other holder of record.
Please do not send any stock certificates at this time.
By order of the board of directors, |
|
Mary Ann Hynes Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Westchester, Illinois , 2008 |
REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Bunge and Corn Products from documents that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:
BUNGE LIMITED 50 Main Street White Plains, New York 10606 Attention: Investor Relations Telephone: (914) 684-2800 |
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. 5 Westbrook Corporate Center Westchester, Illinois 60154 Attention: Investor Relations Telephone: (708) 551-2600 |
|
Or |
Or |
|
Innisfree M&A Incorporated 501 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 Shareholders Call Toll Free: (877) 750-9496 Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 750-5833 |
Morrow & Co., LLC 470 West Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 Telephone: (800) 607-0088 (toll-free) |
Investors may also consult Bunge's or Corn Products' websites for more information concerning the merger described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Bunge's website is www.bunge.com. Corn Products' website is www.cornproducts.com. Information included on any of these websites is not incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
If you would like to request documents, please do so by November , 2008 in order to receive them before the Bunge or Corn Products special meeting.
For more information, see "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 154.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated , 2008. You should not assume that the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Bunge shareholders or Corn Products stockholders nor the issuance by Bunge of Bunge common shares in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Bunge has been provided by Bunge and information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Corn Products has been provided by Corn Products.
|
Page |
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---|---|---|---|
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER | 1 | ||
SUMMARY | 6 | ||
General | 6 | ||
The Bunge Special General Meeting | 13 | ||
The Corn Products Special Meeting | 14 | ||
The Merger Agreement | 15 | ||
Market Prices and Dividend Information | 17 | ||
Comparative Per Share Information | 18 | ||
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Bunge Limited | 20 | ||
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Corn Products International, Inc. | 24 | ||
Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information | 25 | ||
RISK FACTORS | 26 | ||
Risks Related to the Merger | 26 | ||
Risks Related to the Combined Company | 28 | ||
THE BUNGE SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING | 31 | ||
Date, Time and Place | 31 | ||
Purpose of the Special Meeting | 31 | ||
Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum | 31 | ||
Vote Required | 31 | ||
Shares Owned by Bunge Directors and Executive Officers | 32 | ||
Voting of Proxies | 32 | ||
Revocability of Proxies | 33 | ||
Solicitation of Proxies | 33 | ||
THE CORN PRODUCTS SPECIAL MEETING | 34 | ||
Date, Time and Place | 34 | ||
Purpose of the Special Meeting | 34 | ||
Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum | 34 | ||
Vote Required | 35 | ||
Shares Owned by Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers | 35 | ||
Voting of Proxies | 35 | ||
Revocability of Proxies | 36 | ||
Solicitation of Proxies | 36 | ||
THE COMPANIES | 37 | ||
Bunge | 37 | ||
Corn Products | 37 | ||
THE MERGER | 38 | ||
General | 38 | ||
Background to the Merger | 38 | ||
Bunge's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Bunge Board of Directors | 46 | ||
Corn Products' Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Corn Products Board of Directors | 49 | ||
Opinions of Bunge's Financial Advisors | 53 | ||
Opinions of Corn Products' Financial Advisors | 69 | ||
Interests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger | 84 | ||
Merger Consideration | 90 | ||
Ownership of Bunge Following the Merger | 91 | ||
Conversion of Shares; Procedures for Exchange of Certificates; Fractional Shares | 91 | ||
Effective Time of the Merger |
91 |
||
Stock Exchange Listing of Bunge Common Shares | 92 | ||
Delisting and Deregistration of Corn Products Common Stock | 92 | ||
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger and the Ownership of Bunge Common Shares Received by Corn Products Stockholders | 92 | ||
Regulatory Matters | 98 | ||
Dissenters' Rights | 98 | ||
Corn Products Employee Benefits Matters | 99 | ||
Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Corn Products Stock Incentive Plan | 100 | ||
Resale of Bunge Common Shares | 101 | ||
CERTAIN LITIGATION | 102 | ||
THE MERGER AGREEMENT | 104 | ||
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger | 104 | ||
No Solicitation | 107 | ||
Termination of the Merger Agreement | 111 | ||
Payment of Certain Fees and Expenses | 112 | ||
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger | 114 | ||
Representations and Warranties | 116 | ||
Additional Terms | 117 | ||
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation; Appointment of Additional Bunge Director | 118 | ||
Amendment; Extension and Waiver | 118 | ||
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 119 | ||
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT | 129 | ||
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS | 129 | ||
DESCRIPTION OF BUNGE CAPITAL STOCK | 131 | ||
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS OF BUNGE AND COMMON STOCKHOLDERS OF CORN PRODUCTS | 136 | ||
LEGAL MATTERS | 153 | ||
EXPERTS | 153 | ||
OTHER MATTERS | 153 | ||
FUTURE BUNGE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS | 153 | ||
FUTURE CORN PRODUCTS STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS | 154 | ||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | 154 | ||
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS | 156 | ||
Annexes |
|||
Annex AAgreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, as amended | |||
Annex BOpinion of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | |||
Annex COpinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated | |||
Annex DOpinion of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC | |||
Annex EOpinion of J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. |
i
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into Corn Products (the merger), with Corn Products surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge. In order to complete the merger, Bunge shareholders must approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders, Corn Products stockholders must adopt the merger agreement and all other conditions to the merger must be satisfied or waived. Bunge will hold a special general meeting of its shareholders (the Bunge special general meeting) to obtain the required approval of Bunge shareholders and Corn Products will hold a special meeting of its stockholders (the Corn Products special meeting) to obtain the required approval of Corn Products stockholders.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about the merger agreement, the merger and the proposed special meetings. You should read it carefully.
$56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting, provided that if this average closing price is equal to or greater than $133.10, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.4207 of a Bunge common share, and if this average closing price is equal to or less than $108.90, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.5142 of a Bunge common share.
2
shares of Corn Products common stock were outstanding.
Because the required vote of Bunge shareholders to issue Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders is based upon the number of shares actually voted, rather than the number of outstanding Bunge common shares, the failure by a Bunge shareholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Bunge special general meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote, except to make it more difficult to satisfy the requirement that the total number of votes cast exceeds 50% of the number of outstanding Bunge common shares.
Because the required vote of Bunge shareholders to adjourn the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies is based upon the number of shares actually voted, rather than the number of outstanding Bunge common shares, the failure by a Bunge shareholder to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the Bunge special general meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.
Because the required vote of Corn Products stockholders to adopt the merger agreement is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock, rather than upon the number of shares actually voted, the failure by a Corn Products stockholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Corn Products special meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against adoption of the merger agreement.
Because the required vote of Corn Products stockholders to adjourn the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies is based upon the number of shares present or represented at the Corn Products special meeting, rather than upon the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting. The failure by a Corn Products stockholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Corn Products special meeting and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the vote on the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if
3
necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
If you are a Bunge shareholder and you choose to send a written notice of revocation or to mail a new proxy, you must submit your notice of revocation or your new proxy to Bunge's Assistant Secretary at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, or by facsimile to (914) 684-3497, and it must be received by November , 2008.
If you are a Corn Products stockholder and you choose to send a written notice or to mail a new proxy, you must submit your notice of revocation or your new proxy to Corn Products International, 5 Westbrook Corporate Center, Westchester, Illinois 60154, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or hand deliver your new proxy to Corn Products' Corporate Secretary, and it must be received by November , 2008.
4
You should read "The MergerMaterial United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger and Ownership of Bunge Common Shares Received by Corn Products Stockholders" beginning on page 92 for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger and of owning Bunge common shares. Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on your particular tax situation. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax consequences of the merger to you.
For a description of certain matters that could delay or prevent the completion of the merger, please refer to "Risk Factors" beginning on page 26.
For Bunge |
For Corn Products |
|
---|---|---|
Innisfree M&A Incorporated 501 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 Shareholders Call Toll Free: (877) 750-9496 Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 750-5833 |
Morrow & Co., LLC 470 West Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 Telephone: (800) 607-0088 |
5
This summary highlights selected information from this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger, you should carefully read this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents to which we refer you, including in particular the copies of the merger agreement and the opinions of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Credit Suisse), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (Morgan Stanley), Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (Lazard) and J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. (JPMorgan) that are attached as annexes to this joint proxy statement/prospectus or as exhibits to the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, filed by Bunge with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). See also "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 154. We have included page references parenthetically to direct you to a more complete description of the topics presented in this summary.
The Companies (page 37)
Bunge
Limited
50 Main Street
White Plains, New York 10606
(914) 684-2800
Bunge is a leading global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. Bunge conducts operations in agribusiness, fertilizer, edible oil products and milling products.
Corn
Products International, Inc.
5 Westbrook Corporate Center
Westchester, Illinois 60154
(708) 551-2600
Corn Products is one of the world's largest corn refiners and a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients and industrial products derived from wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. Corn Products and its subsidiaries manufacture and sell a number of ingredients to a wide variety of food and industrial customers.
The Merger (page 38)
On June 21, 2008, Bunge, Corn Products and Bleecker Acquisition Corp., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge, entered into the merger agreement, which is the legal document governing the merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. will be merged with and into Corn Products, with Corn Products continuing as the surviving corporation. Upon completion of the merger, Corn Products will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge and Corn Products common stock will no longer be publicly traded.
What Corn Products Stockholders Will Receive in the Merger (page 90)
In the merger, Corn Products stockholders will be entitled to receive in exchange for each of their shares of Corn Products common stock a fraction of a Bunge common share determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting (the average closing price), so long as the average closing price is between $108.90 and $133.10. However,
6
Based on the number of shares of Corn Products common stock and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and settlement of other stock-based awards outstanding as of June 19, 2008 and a closing price of $71.18 per Bunge common share on September 15, 2008, Corn Products stockholders would receive Bunge common shares having a market value of approximately $2.9 billion in the merger.
Set forth below is a table showing a range of hypothetical average closing prices along with the corresponding exchange ratio, the equivalent value of the merger consideration per share of Corn Products common stock, the aggregate number of Bunge common shares to be issued to Corn Products stockholders that would result from the exchange ratio and the percentage of the outstanding Bunge common shares that will be held by former Corn Products stockholders after the consummation of the merger. This table is for illustrative purposes only. The actual prices at which Bunge common shares trade during the average closing price determination period will determine the actual exchange ratio. The actual exchange ratio may differ from the examples below. The actual exchange ratio will not be determinable until two trading days prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting.
Hypothetical Average Closing Price |
Exchange Ratio |
Equivalent Price per Share of Corn Products Common Stock(1) |
Aggregate Number of Bunge Common Shares to be Issued(2) |
Percentage of Outstanding Bunge Common Shares held by Former Corn Products Stockholders(3) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$ | 70.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 35.99 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 72.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 37.02 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 74.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 38.05 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 76.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 39.08 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 78.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 40.11 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 80.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 41.14 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 82.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 42.16 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 84.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 43.19 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 86.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 44.22 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 88.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 45.25 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 90.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 46.28 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 92.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 47.31 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 94.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 48.33 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 96.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 49.36 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 98.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 50.39 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 100.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 51.42 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 102.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 52.45 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 104.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 53.48 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 106.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 54.51 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 108.00 | 0.5142 | $ | 55.53 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 108.90 | 0.5142 | $ | 56.00 | 40,973,090 | 25.20 | % | ||||
$ | 110.00 | 0.5091 | $ | 56.00 | 40,566,706 | 25.02 | % | ||||
$ | 112.00 | 0.5000 | $ | 56.00 | 39,841,589 | 24.68 | % | ||||
$ | 114.00 | 0.4912 | $ | 56.00 | 39,140,377 | 24.35 | % | ||||
$ | 116.00 | 0.4828 | $ | 56.00 | 38,471,038 | 24.03 | % | ||||
$ | 118.00 | 0.4746 | $ | 56.00 | 37,817,636 | 23.72 | % | ||||
$ | 120.00 | 0.4667 | $ | 56.00 | 37,188,139 | 23.42 | % | ||||
$ | 121.00 | 0.4628 | $ | 56.00 | 36,878,165 | 23.27 | % | ||||
$ | 122.00 | 0.4590 | $ | 56.00 | 36,574,579 | 23.12 | % | ||||
$ | 124.00 | 0.4516 | $ | 56.00 | 35,984,923 | 22.84 | % | ||||
$ | 126.00 | 0.4444 | $ | 56.00 | 35,411,204 | 22.55 | % | ||||
$ | 128.00 | 0.4375 | $ | 56.00 | 34,861,390 | 22.28 | % | ||||
$ | 130.00 | 0.4308 | $ | 56.00 | 34,327,513 | 22.02 | % | ||||
$ | 132.00 | 0.4242 | $ | 56.00 | 33,801,604 | 21.75 | % | ||||
$ | 133.10 | 0.4207 | $ | 56.00 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 134.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 56.37 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 136.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 57.22 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % |
7
$ | 138.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 58.06 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 140.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 58.90 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 142.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 59.74 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 144.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 60.58 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 146.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 61.42 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 148.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 62.26 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % | ||||
$ | 150.00 | 0.4207 | $ | 63.11 | 33,522,713 | 21.61 | % |
Each holder of Corn Products common stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share will receive cash in an amount equal to the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the fractional share interest to which that holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the average closing price.
The Bunge common shares to be received in exchange for each share of Corn Products common stock and any cash to be received by Corn Products stockholders in lieu of any fractional Bunge common shares are referred to collectively as the "per share merger consideration" in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Treatment of Corn Products Stock Options (page 100)
Each Corn Products stock option outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will become fully exercisable upon completion of the merger and will be converted into an option to purchase, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the related Corn Products stock option, a number of Bunge common shares equal to the number of shares of Corn Products common stock subject to such Corn Products stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, and the exercise price per share will be an amount equal to the exercise price per share of such Corn Products stock option in effect immediately prior to the completion of the merger divided by the exchange ratio. For a more complete description of the treatment of Corn Products stock options, see "The MergerEffect on Awards Outstanding Under Corn Products Incentive Plans".
Dissenters' Rights (page 98)
Under Bermuda law, Bunge shareholders will not have dissenters' rights in connection with the merger.
Under Delaware law, Corn Products stockholders will not have dissenters' rights in connection with the merger.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (page 92)
The merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes and Corn Products stockholders are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of shares of Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares in the merger, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional Bunge common shares. It is a condition to the completion of the merger that each of Corn Products and Bunge receive written
8
opinions from its respective tax counsel to the effect that the merger will qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Corn Products stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them of the merger as well as the subsequent ownership of Bunge common shares in light of their particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws.
Recommendation of the Bunge Board of Directors (page 46)
The Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present at a meeting duly called, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that Bunge shareholders vote "FOR" the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement.
To review the background of, and Bunge's reasons for, the merger, as well as certain risks related to the merger, see pages 38 through 49 and pages 26 through 28, respectively.
Recommendation of the Corn Products Board of Directors (page 49)
The Corn Products board of directors, by unanimous vote, determined that the merger is in the best interests of Corn Products and its stockholders, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that Corn Products stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement.
To review the background of, and Corn Products' reasons for, the merger, as well as certain risks related to the merger, see pages 38 through 46, pages 49 through 52 and pages 26 through 28, respectively.
Opinions of Bunge's Financial Advisors
Opinion of Credit Suisse (page 53)
In connection with the merger, Credit Suisse rendered its oral opinion to Bunge's board of directors, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to Bunge's board of directors, to the effect that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio was fair to Bunge from a financial point of view.
The full text of the written opinion of Credit Suisse, dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Credit Suisse provided its opinion for the information of Bunge's board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger. The Credit Suisse opinion does not constitute advice or a recommendation to any holder of Bunge common shares as to how such holder should vote or act on any matter relating to the proposed merger or otherwise.
9
Pursuant to Bunge's engagement letter with Credit Suisse, Bunge has agreed to pay Credit Suisse a fee of approximately $12.8 million for its services in connection with the merger, of which approximately $11.6 million is contingent upon consummation of the merger. In addition, Credit Suisse is eligible to receive a discretionary fee of approximately $2.5 million. Credit Suisse and its affiliates have in the past provided, and in the future may provide, investment banking and other financial services to Corn Products, Bunge and their respective affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received, and would expect to receive, compensation.
Opinion of Morgan Stanley (page 62)
In connection with the merger, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral opinion to Bunge's board of directors, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to Bunge's board of directors, to the effect that, as of the date thereof, based upon and subject to the various considerations set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Bunge.
The full text of the written opinion of Morgan Stanley, dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the opinion and the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Bunge shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety, but should note that the Morgan Stanley opinion is addressed to Bunge's board of directors, and is not a recommendation as to how Bunge shareholders or Corn Products stockholders should vote on, or take any action with respect to, the merger or any other matter.
Pursuant to Bunge's engagement letter with Morgan Stanley, Bunge has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a fee of approximately $12.8 million for its services in connection with the merger, of which approximately $11.6 million is contingent upon consummation of the merger. In addition, Morgan Stanley is eligible to receive a discretionary fee of approximately $2.5 million. Morgan Stanley and its affiliates have provided financial advisory and financing services for Bunge and Corn Products and have received fees in connection with such services. Morgan Stanley may also seek to provide such services to Bunge and Corn Products in the future and expects to receive fees for the rendering of these services.
Opinions of Corn Products' Financial Advisors
Opinion of Lazard (page 69)
In connection with the merger, on June 21, 2008, Corn Products' financial advisor, Lazard, rendered to the Corn Products board of directors an oral opinion, which opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated June 21, 2008, to the effect that, as of the date of its opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the per share merger consideration to be paid to Corn Products stockholders in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders.
The full text of Lazard's written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered, and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Lazard in connection with its opinion, is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D and is incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. The description of Lazard's opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified by reference to the full text of Lazard's written opinion attached as Annex D. We encourage you to read Lazard's opinion and the section beginning on page 69 carefully and in their entirety. Lazard's opinion was directed to the Corn Products board of directors for the information and assistance of the Corn Products board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the merger. Lazard's opinion did not address any other aspect of the merger and was not intended to and does not constitute a recommendation to any Corn Products stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to the merger or any matter relating to the merger.
10
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated April 24, 2008, Corn Products agreed to pay Lazard $500,000 upon execution of the letter, $2 million upon rendering its opinion of June 21, 2008 and, if the merger is consummated, a fee of 0.35% of the aggregate consideration, as customarily defined, to be paid in the merger. The payment paid to Lazard in connection with the execution of the engagement letter was credited against the fee paid to Lazard in connection with the delivery of its opinion and the fee paid to Lazard in connection with the delivery of its opinion will be credited against the fee, if any, payable to Lazard upon consummation of the merger. Taking such credits into account, the aggregate fee payable to Lazard upon consummation of the merger was estimated, for illustrative purposes only, to be approximately $9.9 million based on an implied $3.4 billion transaction value as of September 10, 2008. The actual amount of the aggregate fee will be calculated based on the market value of the merger consideration on the date the fee is paid. Lazard in the past has provided investment banking services to Corn Products and certain of its affiliates, for which Lazard has received customary compensation, and Lazard in the future may provide investment banking services to Corn Products and Bunge and certain of their affiliates, for which Lazard would expect to receive customary compensation.
Opinion of JPMorgan (page 78)
Corn Products retained JPMorgan as its financial advisor for the purpose of rendering a fairness opinion to the Corn Products board of directors in connection with the merger. At the meeting of the Corn Products board of directors on June 21, 2008, JPMorgan rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing on June 21, 2008, to the Corn Products board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the exchange ratio in the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to holders of Corn Products common stock.
The full text of the written opinion of JPMorgan dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the opinion undertaken by JPMorgan in connection with rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex E to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of JPMorgan's opinion included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified by reference to the full text of the opinion, and Corn Products stockholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. JPMorgan provided its opinion to the Corn Products board of directors in connection with and for the purposes of Corn Products' evaluation of the merger. JPMorgan's opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to any matter and should not be relied upon by any stockholder as such.
Pursuant to its engagement letter, JPMorgan received a fee for its services of $1.5 million from Corn Products payable upon the delivery of its opinion. JPMorgan and its affiliates in the past have had commercial and investment banking relationships with Bunge, for which JPMorgan and its affiliates have received customary compensation, and JPMorgan and its affiliates in the future may have commercial or investment banking relationships with Bunge and Corn Products, for which JPMorgan and its affiliates would expect to receive customary compensation.
Interests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (page 84)
In considering the recommendation of the Corn Products board of directors with respect to the merger, Corn Products stockholders should be aware that the executive officers and non-employee directors of Corn Products have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Corn Products stockholders generally. These interests include the following:
11
common stock existing at the time of completion of the merger, including each stock option held by the Corn Products executive officers and non-employee directors, will be converted into an option to purchase the number of Bunge common shares equal to the number of shares of Corn Products common stock subject to such Corn Products stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, and the exercise price per share will be an amount equal to the exercise price per share of such Corn Products stock option divided by the exchange ratio. Based upon options outstanding as of September 10, 2008, options held by the Corn Products executive officers relating to 382,670 shares of Corn Products common stock will vest and become immediately exercisable upon completion of the merger;
The Corn Products board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, when approving the merger agreement.
For a more complete description, see "The MergerInterests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger".
Comparison of Rights of Common Stockholders of Bunge and Corn Products (page 136)
Corn Products stockholders, whose rights are currently governed by the Corn Products Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Corn Products By-laws and Delaware law, will, upon completion of the merger, become shareholders of Bunge and their rights will be governed by the Bunge Memorandum of Association, the Bunge Bye-laws and Bermuda law.
12
The Bunge Special General Meeting
The special general meeting of Bunge shareholders will be held at , at , Eastern Time, on November , 2008. At the Bunge special general meeting, Bunge shareholders will be asked to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement and to approve the adjournment of the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Bunge special general meeting to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders.
Record Date; Voting Power (page 31)
Bunge shareholders are entitled to vote at the Bunge special general meeting if they owned Bunge common shares as of the close of business on September 29, 2008, the Bunge record date.
On the Bunge record date, there were Bunge common shares entitled to vote at the Bunge special general meeting. Shareholders will have one vote at the Bunge special general meeting for each Bunge common share that they owned on the Bunge record date.
Vote Required (page 31)
The approval of the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders requires the approval of a majority of votes cast by Bunge shareholders at the Bunge special general meeting, so long as the total number of votes cast at the special meeting represents over 50% of all outstanding Bunge common shares.
The approval of the adjournment of the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by Bunge shareholders at the Bunge special general meeting.
Shares Owned by Bunge Directors and Executive Officers (page 32)
On the Bunge record date, directors and executive officers of Bunge beneficially owned and were entitled to vote Bunge common shares, which represented approximately % of the Bunge common shares outstanding on that date.
13
The Corn Products Special Meeting
The special meeting of Corn Products stockholders will be held at , at , local time, on November , 2008. At the Corn Products special meeting, Corn Products stockholders will be asked to adopt the merger agreement and to adjourn the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Corn Products special meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
Record Date; Voting Power (page 34)
Corn Products stockholders are entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting if they owned shares of Corn Products common stock as of the close of business on September 29, 2008, the Corn Products record date.
On the Corn Products record date, there were shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting. Stockholders will have one vote at the Corn Products special meeting for each share of Corn Products common stock that they owned on the Corn Products record date.
Vote Required (page 35)
Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting.
Adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by Corn Products stockholders at the Corn Products special meeting.
Shares Owned by Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers (page 35)
On the Corn Products record date, directors and executive officers of Corn Products beneficially owned and were entitled to vote shares of Corn Products common stock, which represented approximately % of the shares of Corn Products common stock outstanding on that date.
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The merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the merger agreement because it is the principal document governing the merger.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger (pages 104 through 107)
Bunge and Corn Products are obligated to complete the merger only if they satisfy or, in some cases, waive, several conditions, including the following:
In addition, Bunge is obligated to complete the merger only if the following additional conditions are satisfied or waived:
15
Further, Corn Products is obligated to complete the merger only if the following additional conditions are satisfied or waived:
For a more complete description of the conditions to completion of the merger, see "The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Merger".
Termination of the Merger Agreement; Termination Fee (pages 111 through 114)
The merger agreement contains provisions addressing the circumstances under which Bunge or Corn Products may terminate the merger agreement. In addition, the merger agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, Corn Products may be required to pay Bunge a termination fee of $110 million.
In addition, Corn Products must reimburse Bunge for all of Bunge's expenses (up to a $10 million limit) in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in certain circumstances. The amount of any expenses paid by Corn Products to Bunge will be credited against any termination fee to be paid by Corn Products if the termination fee subsequently becomes payable. Bunge also must reimburse Corn Products for all of Corn Products' expenses (up to a $10 million limit) in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in certain circumstances.
For a more complete description, see "The Merger AgreementTermination of the Merger Agreement" and "Payment of Certain Fees and Expenses".
Regulatory Matters (page 98)
United States antitrust laws prohibit Bunge and Corn Products from completing the merger until each has filed a notification and report form under the provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder (the HSR Act) with
16
the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (the FTC) and the HSR Act waiting period has expired or been terminated. Bunge and Corn Products filed their required notification and report forms with the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC regarding the merger on August 1, 2008 and the HSR Act waiting period expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 2, 2008.
In addition, the relevant laws of Canada, Mexico and Colombia require filings to be made with, and clearances to be obtained from, the relevant competition authorities in those jurisdictions. Bunge and Corn Products have made filings in other jurisdictions, where required, and have either received clearances in such jurisdictions or clearances are not required as a condition to the closing of the merger in such jurisdictions.
Market Prices and Dividend Information
Bunge common shares and shares of Corn Products common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table presents the last reported sale prices of Bunge common shares and Corn Products common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on:
The table also presents the equivalent value of the merger consideration per share of Corn Products common stock on those dates.
|
Bunge Common Shares |
Corn Products Common Stock |
Equivalent Price Per Share of Corn Products Common Stock(1) |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 20, 2008 | $ | 122.17 | $ | 42.90 | $ | 56.00 | ||||
, 2008 | $ | $ | $ |
These prices will fluctuate prior to the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting (the date on which the exchange ratio will be fixed), and Bunge shareholders and Corn Products stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations prior to making any decision with respect to the merger.
Each of Bunge and Corn Products declares and pays regular quarterly cash dividends. After the completion of the merger, Bunge currently intends to continue to pay cash dividends to holders of its common shares on a quarterly basis; however, there can be no assurance that it will do so or as to the amount of any such dividends. See "Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends".
17
Comparative Per Share Information
The following table sets forth for the periods presented certain per share data of each of Bunge and Corn Products on a historical basis, an unaudited pro forma consolidated basis, which gives effect to the merger, and on an unaudited pro forma equivalent basis, which is intended to show how Corn Products common stock would have participated in the net income and book value of Bunge if Bunge and Corn Products had always been consolidated for accounting and financial reporting purposes during all periods presented.
The historical per share data of Bunge and Corn Products has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical financial statements of Bunge and Corn Products incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information". The unaudited pro forma per share data has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements". The unaudited pro forma equivalent data was calculated by multiplying the corresponding unaudited pro forma consolidated data by an assumed exchange ratio of 0.5142, which assumes a volume weighted average closing price for Bunge common shares of $75.86 (the closing price of Bunge common shares on the NYSE on September 12, 2008) for purposes of calculating the exchange ratio pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. The actual exchange ratio will be based on the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated information and the unaudited pro forma equivalent information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the merger had been consummated as of the assumed date, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results or the financial position of the
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combined companies. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that Bunge's management believes are reasonable.
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUNGEHISTORICAL | ||||||||
Net income per common share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 8.24 | $ | 6.11 | ||||
Assuming dilution | 7.56 | 5.95 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | 0.36 | 0.67 | ||||||
Unaudited book value per common share | 65.15 | 52.73 | ||||||
CORN PRODUCTSHISTORICAL |
||||||||
Net earnings per share of common stock: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.79 | $ | 2.65 | ||||
Assuming dilution | 1.75 | 2.59 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock | 0.26 | 0.40 | ||||||
Unaudited book value per share of common stock | 25.83 | 22.02 | ||||||
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA |
||||||||
Net income per common share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 6.94 | $ | 5.40 | ||||
Assuming dilution | 6.49 | 5.29 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | 0.40 | 0.69 | ||||||
Unaudited book value per common share | 68.18 | |||||||
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA EQUIVALENT |
||||||||
Net income per common share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.57 | $ | 2.78 | ||||
Assuming dilution | 3.34 | 2.72 | ||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | 0.20 | 0.36 | ||||||
Unaudited book value per common share | 35.06 |
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Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Bunge Limited
The following table sets forth Bunge's selected consolidated financial information for the periods indicated. The consolidated statements of income and cash flow data for each of the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 are derived from Bunge's audited consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated statements of income and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are derived from Bunge's audited historical consolidated financial statements, which are not included or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The selected historical financial data as of June 30, 2008 and for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are derived from Bunge's unaudited consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with Bunge's audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of Bunge's management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for such period.
You should read this information together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Bunge's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
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December 31, 2007, and Bunge's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, which are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
(As Restated) 2007 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||||||||||
|
(US$ in millions, except per share amounts) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 26,834 | $ | 15,641 | $ | 37,842 | $ | 26,274 | $ | 24,377 | $ | 25,234 | $ | 22,195 | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | (24,516 | ) | (14,809 | ) | (35,327 | ) | (24,703 | ) | (22,806 | ) | (23,348 | ) | (20,890 | ) | ||||||||
Gross profit | 2,318 | 832 | 2,515 | 1,571 | 1,571 | 1,886 | 1,305 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (862 | ) | (572 | ) | (1,359 | ) | (978 | ) | (956 | ) | (871 | ) | (691 | ) | ||||||||
Gain on sale of soy ingredients business | | | | | | | 111 | |||||||||||||||
Interest income | 102 | 68 | 166 | 119 | 104 | 103 | 102 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (188 | ) | (149 | ) | (353 | ) | (280 | ) | (231 | ) | (214 | ) | (215 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 265 | 122 | 217 | 59 | (22 | ) | (31 | ) | 92 | |||||||||||||
Other income (expense)net | (12 | ) | 3 | 15 | 31 | 22 | 18 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income tax, minority interest and equity in earnings of affiliates | 1,623 | 304 | 1,201 | 522 | 488 | 891 | 707 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | (454 | ) | (76 | ) | (310 | ) | 36 | 82 | (289 | ) | (201 | ) | ||||||||||
Income from continuing operations after income tax | 1,169 | 228 | 891 | 558 | 570 | 602 | 506 | |||||||||||||||
Minority interest | (142 | ) | (47 | ) | (146 | ) | (60 | ) | (71 | ) | (146 | ) | (104 | ) | ||||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliates | 13 | 1 | 33 | 23 | 31 | 13 | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 1,040 | 182 | 778 | 521 | 530 | 469 | 418 | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax of $5 (2003) | | | | | | | (7 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net income | 1,040 | 182 | 778 | 521 | 530 | 469 | 411 | |||||||||||||||
Convertible preference share dividends | (39 | ) | (17 | ) | (40 | ) | (4 | ) | | | | |||||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 1,001 | $ | 165 | $ | 738 | $ | 517 | $ | 530 | $ | 469 | $ | 411 | ||||||||
Earnings per common sharebasic(1): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 8.24 | $ | 1.37 | $ | 6.11 | $ | 4.32 | $ | 4.73 | $ | 4.42 | $ | 4.19 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations | | | | | | | (0.07 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Earnings per common sharebasic | 8.24 | 1.37 | 6.11 | 4.32 | 4.73 | 4.42 | 4.12 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings per common sharediluted(2)(3): | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations | 7.56 | 1.35 | 5.95 | 4.28 | 4.43 | 4.10 | 3.89 | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations | | | | | | | (0.06 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Earnings per common sharediluted | 7.56 | 1.35 | 5.95 | 4.28 | 4.43 | 4.10 | 3.83 | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.42 | ||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstandingbasic | 121,431,957 | 120,481,542 | 120,718,134 | 119,566,423 | 112,131,739 | 106,015,869 | 99,745,825 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstandingdiluted(2)(3) | 137,586,015 | 121,814,664 | 130,753,807 | 120,849,357 | 120,853,928 | 115,674,056 | 108,654,027 |
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|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
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|
(US$ in millions, except per share amounts) |
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (as of period end): | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,100 | $ | 981 | $ | 365 | $ | 354 | $ | 432 | $ | 489 | ||||||
Inventories(4) | 8,792 | 5,924 | 3,684 | 2,769 | 2,636 | 2,867 | ||||||||||||
Working capital | 7,219 | 5,684 | 3,878 | 2,947 | 2,766 | 2,481 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 27,662 | 21,991 | 14,347 | 11,446 | 10,907 | 9,884 | ||||||||||||
Short-term debt, including current portion of long term debt | 2,019 | 1,112 | 610 | 589 | 681 | 1,017 | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 3,727 | 3,435 | 2,874 | 2,557 | 2,600 | 2,377 | ||||||||||||
Mandatory convertible preference shares(2) | 863 | 863 | | | | | ||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock(5) | | | | | | 171 | ||||||||||||
Convertible perpetual preference shares(2) | 690 | 690 | 690 | | | | ||||||||||||
Common shares and additional paid-in-capital, net of receivable from former sole shareholder | 2,817 | 2,761 | 2,691 | 2,631 | 2,362 | 2,011 | ||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | $ | 9,475 | $ | 7,945 | $ | 5,668 | $ | 4,226 | $ | 3,375 | $ | 2,377 |
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shares of Bunge prior to the redemption date. The calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes the weighted average common shares that were issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes through the date of redemption. The calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 includes the weighted average common shares that were issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes during this period.
23
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Corn Products International, Inc.
The following selected consolidated financial information of Corn Products as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 has been derived from Corn Products' audited historical financial statements incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated financial statements for those periods were audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The following selected consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 and as of December 31, 2003, December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2005 has been derived from Corn Products' audited historical consolidated financial statements, which are not included or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The following selected consolidated financial information of Corn Products as of June 30, 2008 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2008 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Corn Products' quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and, in the opinion of Corn Products management, included all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such information for the interim periods. The operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year ending December 31, 2008. The following information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Corn Products and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Corn Products incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Unaudited Six Months Ended June 30, |
Year Ended December 31, |
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|
2008 |
2007 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||||||||||
|
(US$ in millions, except per share amounts) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,959.4 | $ | 1,618.8 | $ | 3,391 | $ | 2,621 | $ | 2,360 | $ | 2,283 | $ | 2,102 | ||||||||
Gross profit | 359.9 | 301.6 | 586 | 416 | 332 | 354 | 324 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income | 222.6 | 178.3 | 347 | 224 | 183 | 179 | 174 | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 132.7 | $ | 100.6 | $ | 198 | $ | 124 | $ | 90 | $ | 94 | $ | 76 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.79 | $ | 1.35 | $ | 2.65 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.28 | $ | 1.06 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.75 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 2.59 | $ | 1.63 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.06 | ||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.21 | ||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (as of period end): |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,592 | $ | 3,103 | $ | 2,645 | $ | 2,389 | $ | 2,367 | $ | 2,216 | ||||||||||
Total debt | 636 | 649 | 554 | 528 | 568 | 550 | ||||||||||||||||
Redeemable common stock | 23 | 19 | 44 | 29 | 33 | 67 | ||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders' equity | $ | 1,898 | $ | 1,605 | $ | 1,330 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 1,081 | $ | 911 |
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Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information gives effect to the merger of Bunge and Corn Products. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated operating data is presented as if the merger had occurred on January 1, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet data combines the historical balance sheets of Bunge and Corn Products giving effect to the merger as if it occurred on June 30, 2008.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information includes adjustments that are based on preliminary estimates pending the completion of an independent appraisal and other evaluations to reflect the allocation of the purchase price of Corn Products' net assets as of June 30, 2008. The excess of purchase price over the estimated net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The final purchase accounting adjustments recorded in connection with the merger may differ from those presented herein. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not give effect to any anticipated cost savings or any other financial benefits expected to result from the merger.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial position that would have been obtained or the financial results that would have occurred if the merger had been consummated on the dates indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations of Bunge in the future. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information presented below reflects pro forma adjustments that are described in the notes accompanying the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and are based upon available information and certain assumptions that Bunge's management believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" and other information included in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 |
Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US$ in millions, except per share amounts) |
|||||
Operating Data: | ||||||
Net sales | $ | 28,704 | $ | 41,096 | ||
Cost of goods sold | 26,050 | 38,088 | ||||
Gross profit | 2,654 | 3,008 | ||||
Income from operations before income tax | 1,797 | 1,394 | ||||
Income from operations after income tax | 1,283 | 1,019 | ||||
Net income | 1,150 | 901 | ||||
Net income available to common shareholders | 1,111 | 861 | ||||
Earnings per common sharebasic | 6.94 | 5.40 | ||||
Earnings per common sharediluted | 6.49 | 5.29 | ||||
Balance Sheet Data (as of period end): |
||||||
Total current assets | $ | 21,021 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 7,051 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 1,605 | |||||
Total assets | 32,666 | |||||
Long-term debt | 4,241 | |||||
Total shareholders' equity | 12,482 |
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In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Bunge shareholders and Corn Products stockholders should consider carefully the matters described below in determining whether to approve the merger, the merger agreement and the other related matters.
As the market price of Bunge common shares may fluctuate, and the closing date of the merger is not yet ascertainable, Corn Products stockholders cannot be certain of the market value of the Bunge common shares that they will receive in the merger.
When we complete the merger, Corn Products common stock will be converted into the right to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share, which will be determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting, so long as this average closing price is between $108.90 and $133.10. If this average closing price is equal to or greater than $133.10, each share of Corn Products common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.4207 of a Bunge common share, and if this average closing price is equal to or less than $108.90, each share of Corn Products common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.5142 of a Bunge common share. Once the exchange ratio is determined as described above, any subsequent change in the market price of Bunge common shares prior to the completion of the merger will not be reflected in the exchange ratio but will affect the market value of the per share merger consideration that Corn Products stockholders will receive upon completion of the merger. The market price of Bunge common shares may vary as a result of changes in the business, operations or prospects of Bunge or Corn Products, market assessments of the likelihood that the merger will be completed, the timing of the completion of the merger, the prospects of post-merger operations, regulatory considerations, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Accordingly, at the time of the Corn Products special meeting, although Corn Products stockholders will know the exchange ratio that will be used to calculate the fraction of a Bunge common share that they will receive as merger consideration, Corn Products stockholders will not know or be able to calculate the market value of the per share merger consideration they will receive upon completion of the merger.
The merger is subject to the receipt of consents and clearances from domestic and foreign regulatory authorities that may impose conditions that could have an adverse effect on Bunge and Corn Products or the combined company or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the merger.
Before the merger may be completed, applicable clearances and waiting periods must be obtained or expire under applicable foreign, federal or state antitrust, competition or fair trade laws. In deciding whether to grant antitrust or regulatory clearances, the relevant governmental entities will consider the effect of the merger on competition within their relevant jurisdictions. No assurance can be given that the required consents and clearances will be obtained. The terms and conditions of the clearances that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company's business, any of which could delay completion of the merger or impose additional material costs on, or materially limit the revenues of, the combined company following the merger. In addition, Bunge and Corn Products can provide no assurance that these conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the merger. Additionally, completion of the merger is conditioned on the absence of certain restraining orders or injunctions by judgment, court order or law that would restrain or prohibit consummation of the merger. For a more detailed description of the regulatory review process, see the sections entitled "The MergerRegulatory Matters", "The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Merger" and "The Merger Agreement
26
Additional Terms". Any delay in completing the merger could cause the combined company not to realize some or all of the benefits that they expect to achieve if the merger is consummated successfully within its expected timeframe.
Bunge and Corn Products will incur transaction, integration and restructuring costs in connection with the merger.
Bunge and Corn Products expect to incur significant transaction costs related to the merger. In addition, the combined company will incur integration and restructuring costs following the completion of the merger as the combined company integrates Corn Products' businesses with Bunge's businesses. Although Bunge expects that the realization of benefits and efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses may offset these transaction, integration and restructuring costs over time, no assurances can be made that this net benefit will be achieved in the near term, or at all.
Termination of the merger agreement could negatively impact Bunge and Corn Products.
If the merger agreement is terminated, there may be various consequences including:
If the merger agreement is terminated and Corn Products' board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, Corn Products stockholders cannot be certain that Corn Products will be able to find a party willing to pay an equivalent or more attractive price than the price Bunge has agreed to pay in the merger.
The directors and executive officers of Corn Products have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Corn Products stockholders.
In considering the information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, you should be aware that the Corn Products executive officers and directors have interests in the merger other than their interests as stockholders of Corn Products. Options, restricted stock and performance shares held by directors and executive officers of Corn Products will become exercisable or vested, as the case may be, upon completion of the merger. All of the executive officers of Corn Products have arrangements with Corn Products that provide for severance benefits if their employment is terminated under certain circumstances following the merger, and certain of Corn Products' compensation and benefits plans and arrangements provide for payment or accelerated vesting or distribution of the rights or benefits thereunder upon completion of the merger. Executive officers and directors of Corn Products also have rights to indemnification and directors' and officers' liability insurance that will survive completion of the merger. Additionally, upon completion of the merger, Samuel C. Scott III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Corn Products, will join Bunge's board of directors. The Bunge and Corn Products boards of directors were aware of these interests at the time each approved the merger agreement. These interests may cause Corn Products' directors and executive officers to view the merger proposal differently and more favorably than you may view it. See "The MergerInterests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger" for more information.
27
If Corn Products stockholders immediately sell Bunge common shares received in the merger, they could cause the price of Bunge common shares to decline.
The Bunge common shares to be issued in the merger will be registered under U.S. federal securities laws. As a result, those shares generally will be immediately available for resale in the public market. See "The MergerResale of Bunge Common Shares" on page 101. The number of Bunge common shares to be issued to Corn Products stockholders in connection with the merger, and immediately available for resale, will be as much as 25.20% or as little as 21.61% of the outstanding Bunge common shares. If Corn Products stockholders sell a substantial number of the Bunge common shares they receive in the merger immediately after the merger, the market price of Bunge common shares could decline.
Pending Corn Products stockholder litigation could delay or prevent the closing of the merger.
Since the announcement of the proposed merger on June 23, 2008, four purported class action lawsuits have been filed by stockholders of Corn Products in Illinois and Delaware state courts. The plaintiffs assert, among other things, claims of breach of fiduciary duty against Corn Products' directors in connection with the merger. The complaints seek, among other things, injunctive relief against consummation of the merger, declaratory judgments for breach of fiduciary duties, attorneys' fees and damages in an unspecified amount. For a more detailed description, see the section entitled "Certain Litigation" beginning on page 102 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
One of the conditions to the closing of the merger is that no governmental authority shall have issued any judgment, decree, or award that is then in effect and makes the merger illegal or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the merger. There can be no assurance that this litigation will not result in an injunction being issued, which could prevent or delay the closing of the merger, or that the defendants will be successful in defending these lawsuits. It is also possible that additional lawsuits may be filed against Corn Products in connection with the merger asserting similar or different claims.
Risks Related to the Combined Company
The market price of Bunge common shares after the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the price of Bunge common shares and Corn Products common stock.
The businesses of Bunge and Corn Products differ in material respects. As such, many of the factors affecting Bunge's results of operations and stock price are different from those affecting Corn Products' results of operations and stock price. Additionally, Bunge's results of operations and the market price of Bunge common shares after the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations and stock prices of each of Bunge and Corn Products prior to the merger. For a discussion of Bunge's and Corn Products' businesses and operations and the risks associated therewith, see the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in each of Bunge's and Corn Products' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in each of Bunge's and Corn Products' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, each of which is incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See also "Where You Can Find More Information".
Although both Bunge and Corn Products expect that the merger will result in benefits to the combined company, the combined company may not realize those benefits because of various challenges.
The success of the merger will depend, in part, on Bunge's ability to successfully combine the businesses of two companies that have previously operated as independent public companies. There is no assurance that Bunge will be able to complete the integration process smoothly or successfully.
28
Bunge's management will face challenges in the coordination of separate and disparate personnel, properties, systems and facilities, and may also need to address differences in business backgrounds and corporate cultures. The success of the combined company after the merger will also depend in part upon the ability of Bunge and Corn Products to retain key employees of both companies both during the period before and after the merger is completed. In addition, the integration process could divert the attention of each company's management, disrupt or interrupt or result in the loss of momentum in each company's ongoing businesses, or cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, any of which could adversely affect each company's ability to maintain relationships with its customers and employees, or the ability of Bunge and Corn Products to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger, or could reduce each company's earnings or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial position, operating results and liquidity of the combined company.
The timing and extent to which the merger will become accretive to Bunge's earnings are uncertain.
There are a number of factors that will affect when, and to what extent, the merger will become accretive to Bunge's earnings per common share. These factors include the ability of the combined company to realize the benefits from the merger in the amounts and at the times Bunge and Corn Products currently anticipate, and the number of Bunge common shares actually issued to Corn Products stockholders in the merger. The failure of the combined company to realize the expected benefits of the merger in the amounts or at the times anticipated, or the issuance of more, rather than fewer, Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders in the merger (depending on the final exchange ratio, which is calculated as described below), could delay or prevent the merger from becoming accretive or reduce the extent to which the merger may become accretive, which could, in turn, result in a decrease in the market price of Bunge common shares.
If Bunge is unable to retain key Corn Products personnel after the merger is completed, the combined company's business might suffer.
The success of the merger will depend in part on Bunge's ability to retain key Corn Products employees who continue employment with the combined company after the merger. It is possible that these employees might decide not to remain with Bunge or the combined company after the merger is completed. If these key employees terminate their employment, the combined company's sales, marketing or development activities might be adversely affected, management's attention might be diverted from successfully integrating Corn Products' operations to hiring suitable replacements, and the combined company's business might suffer. In addition, Bunge might not be able to locate suitable replacements for any such key employees that leave Bunge or offer employment to potential replacements on reasonable terms.
A write-off of a significant portion of the goodwill recorded in connection with the merger would negatively affect the combined company's financial results.
Based on Bunge's preliminary valuations, Bunge expects to record goodwill of approximately $778 million as a result of the merger. This amount of goodwill assumes that the Bunge common shares received by the Corn Products stockholders in the merger have a market value of $75.86 (the closing price of Bunge common shares on the NYSE on September 12, 2008). The actual amount of goodwill will depend in part on the market value of Bunge common shares as of the closing date of the merger. On at least an annual basis, Bunge assesses whether there has been an impairment in the value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value, impairment is deemed to have occurred, and the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value. Under current accounting rules, this would result in a charge to the combined company's operating earnings. Accordingly, any determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of goodwill recorded in connection with the merger would negatively affect the company's results of operations.
29
Bunge reported two material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, which if not remedied, could adversely affect the combined company's internal controls and financial reporting and could lead to materially inaccurate financial reports.
In connection with Bunge's management's assessment of the effectiveness of Bunge's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, Bunge identified two material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, relating to the analysis, reconciliation and elimination of intercompany transactions and the analysis and assessment of the presentation and recording of certain sales transactions related to Bunge's trade structured finance activities.
Although Bunge believes it is taking the steps necessary to remediate the material weaknesses, the processes, procedures and controls it implements may not result in full remediation of the material weaknesses. Any failure by Bunge to implement required new or improved controls or to remediate the material weaknesses, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could result in material misstatements in Bunge's financial statements or cause Bunge to fail to timely meet its reporting obligations. The occurrence of these events could in turn potentially negatively impact Bunge's stock price.
30
THE BUNGE SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Bunge is furnishing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Bunge shareholders as of the Bunge record date as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Bunge board of directors for use at the Bunge special general meeting.
The special general meeting of Bunge shareholders will be held on November , 2008 at , Eastern Time, at .
Purpose of the Special Meeting
At the Bunge special general meeting, Bunge shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement and a proposal to adjourn the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Bunge special general meeting to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders. It is currently contemplated that no other matters will be considered at the Bunge special general meeting.
The Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present at a meeting duly called, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders and "FOR" the adjournment of the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum
Only holders of record of Bunge common shares at the close of business on September 29, 2008, the Bunge record date for the Bunge special general meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Bunge special general meeting and any adjournment or postponement of it. On the Bunge record date, Bunge common shares were issued and outstanding and held by approximately holders of record.
A quorum is present at the Bunge special general meeting if two or more persons are present in person at the start of the Bunge special general meeting representing (in person or by proxy) more than one-half of the paid up share capital of Bunge entitled to vote at the Bunge special general meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (described below) will be treated as present at the Bunge special general meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of all business. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Bunge special general meeting, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies. Holders of record of Bunge common shares on the Bunge record date are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote at the Bunge special general meeting.
The approval of the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by Bunge shareholders at the Bunge special general meeting, so long as the number of such votes cast represents over 50% of all outstanding Bunge common shares. The approval of the adjournment of the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Bunge special general meeting to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by Bunge shareholders at the
31
Bunge special general meeting. Any failure by a shareholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Bunge special general meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the votes on the proposals to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders and the adjournment of the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies. However, such a failure to appoint a proxy or vote in person at the Bunge special general meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will make it more difficult to satisfy the requirement that the number of votes cast with respect to the proposal to issue Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders represents over 50% of all outstanding Bunge common shares.
Shares Owned by Bunge Directors and Executive Officers
At the close of business on the Bunge record date, directors and executive officers of Bunge beneficially owned and were entitled to vote Bunge common shares, which represented approximately % of the Bunge common shares outstanding on that date.
Shareholders of record may vote their shares by attending the Bunge special general meeting and voting their shares in person at the meeting, or by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the enclosed envelope. No postage is required if your proxy card is mailed in the United States. Shareholders also may appoint their proxies/vote by telephone or the Internet by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. If a proxy card is signed by a shareholder of record and returned without specific voting instructions, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted "FOR" the proposals presented at the Bunge special general meeting. No proxy voted against the proposal to issue Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders will be voted in favor of any adjournment or postponement of the Bunge special general meeting.
Shareholders whose shares are held in "street name" must either instruct the record holder of their shares how to vote their shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote at the Bunge special general meeting. Please check the voting form used by your bank, broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian for information on how to submit your instructions to them. Failure to provide voting instructions to your record holder will result in a "broker non-vote" for those shares held in street name. Shares represented by broker non-votes will not be voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" the proposals, but will be counted in determining whether or not a quorum exists.
Shareholders whose shares are held through participation in the Bunge Retirement Savings Plan, the Bunge Savings Plan and the Bunge Savings PlanSupplement A will receive a proxy card that will also serve as voting instructions for the trustees of those plans. If such shareholders do not provide voting instructions for shares held in any of those plans, the trustees will vote those shares in the same ratio as the shares for which voting instructions have been provided.
Bunge does not expect that any matter other than the proposals to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders and to adjourn the Bunge special general meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies will be brought before the Bunge special general meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Bunge special general meeting, or any adjourned meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with their judgment.
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Shareholders of record may revoke their proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted at the meeting. Shareholders of record may revoke their proxy by:
Any written revocation or subsequent proxy card must be sent to the attention of Carla L. Heiss, Bunge's Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, or by facsimile to (914) 684-3497.
Bunge is soliciting proxies for the Bunge special general meeting and will bear all expenses in connection with its solicitation of proxies. Upon request, Bunge will pay banks, brokers, nominees, fiduciaries or other custodians their reasonable expenses for sending proxy material to, and obtaining instructions from, persons for whom they hold shares.
Bunge has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist with the solicitation of proxies. Innisfree will receive customary fees as compensation for its services plus reimbursement for its related out-of-pocket expenses.
Bunge expects to solicit proxies primarily by mail, but directors, officers and other employees of Bunge or Innisfree may also solicit in person or by Internet, telephone or mail. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other employees of Bunge in connection with this solicitation.
Bunge shareholders who receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form have shares registered in different forms or in more than one account. Please complete, sign, date and return all proxy cards and provide instructions for all voting instruction forms received to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
33
THE CORN PRODUCTS SPECIAL MEETING
Corn Products is furnishing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Corn Products stockholders as of the Corn Products record date as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Corn Products board of directors for use at the Corn Products special meeting.
The Corn Products special meeting will be held on November , 2008, at , local time, at .
Purpose of the Special Meeting
At the Corn Products special meeting, Corn Products stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger agreement pursuant to which Bleecker Acquisition Corp. will merge with and into Corn Products, with Corn Products becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge. Pursuant to the merger agreement, each outstanding share of Corn Products common stock will be converted into the right to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting, provided that if this average closing price is equal to or greater than $133.10, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.4207 of a Bunge common share, and if this average closing price is equal to or less than $108.90, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.5142 of a Bunge common share.
At the Corn Products special meeting, Corn Products stockholders will also be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Corn Products special meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
The Corn Products board of directors, by unanimous vote, determined that the merger is in the best interests of Corn Products and its stockholders, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and recommends that Corn Products stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement and "FOR" the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum
Only holders of record of Corn Products common stock at the close of business on September 29, 2008, the Corn Products record date for the Corn Products special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Corn Products special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of it. On the Corn Products record date, shares of Corn Products common stock were issued and outstanding and held by approximately holders of record.
A quorum is present at the Corn Products special meeting if a majority of all the shares of Corn Products common stock issued and outstanding on the Corn Products record date and entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting are represented at the Corn Products special meeting in person or by a properly executed proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes (described below) will be treated as present at the Corn Products special meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of all business. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Corn Products special meeting, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies. Holders of record of Corn Products common stock on the Corn Products record date are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote at the Corn Products special meeting.
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The adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote at the Corn Products special meeting. Because the required vote of Corn Products stockholders is based upon the number of outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote, rather than upon the shares actually voted, the failure by a Corn Products stockholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Corn Products special meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement.
The approval of the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Corn Products special meeting to adopt the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power present or represented at the Corn Products special meeting. Because the required vote of Corn Products stockholders is based upon the number of shares present or represented at the Corn Products special meeting, rather than upon the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock entitled to vote, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting. The failure by a Corn Products stockholder to appoint a proxy or to vote in person at the Corn Products special meeting and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the vote on the adjournment of the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies.
Shares Owned by Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers
At the close of business on the Corn Products record date, directors and executive officers of Corn Products beneficially owned and were entitled to vote shares of Corn Products common stock, which represented approximately % of the shares of Corn Products common stock outstanding on that date.
Stockholders of record may vote their shares by attending the Corn Products special meeting and voting their shares in person at the meeting, or by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope. Stockholders also may appoint their proxies by telephone or the Internet by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. If a proxy card is signed by a stockholder of record and returned without specific voting instructions, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted "FOR" the proposals presented at the Corn Products special meeting. No proxy voted against the proposal to adopt the merger agreement will be voted in favor of any adjournment or postponement.
Stockholders whose shares are held in "street name" must either instruct the record holder of their shares how to vote their shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote at the Corn Products special meeting. Please check the voting form used by your bank, broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian for information on how to submit your instructions to them. Failure to provide voting instructions to your record holder will result in a "broker non-vote" for those shares held in street name. Shares represented by broker non-votes will not be voted "FOR" or "AGAINST" the proposals, but will be counted in determining whether or not a quorum exists.
Stockholders whose shares are held under the Corn Products International Stock Fund in Corn Products' Retirement Savings Plans may instruct the plan trustee on how to vote their shares by completing the enclosed proxy card. The plan trustee may vote all the shares of the stockholder allocated to his or her account on the record date. The plan trustee will not vote shares held in the Retirement Savings Plans as to which it does not receive timely directions.
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Corn Products does not expect that any matter other than the proposals to adopt the merger agreement and to adjourn the Corn Products special meeting if necessary or appropriate to permit further solicitation of proxies will be brought before the Corn Products special meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the Corn Products special meeting, or any adjourned meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with their judgment.
Stockholders of record may revoke their proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted at the meeting. Stockholders of record may revoke their proxy by:
Any written revocation or subsequent proxy card should be delivered to Corn Products International, Inc., 5 Westbrook Corporate Center, Westchester, Illinois 60154, Attention: Mary Ann Hynes, Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, or hand delivered to Corn Products' Corporate Secretary or her representative before the taking of the vote at the Corn Products special meeting.
Corn Products is soliciting proxies for the Corn Products special meeting and will bear all expenses in connection with its solicitation of proxies. Corn Products will pay brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares held in street name certain fees associated with forwarding the notice or availability to beneficial owners, forwarding paper proxy materials by mail to beneficial owners, and obtaining beneficial owners' voting instructions. In addition to soliciting proxies by the Internet and mail, Corn Products' board members, officers and employees may solicit proxies on the company's behalf, without additional compensation, personally, by e-mail or by telephone.
Corn Products has retained Morrow & Co., LLC to assist with the solicitation of proxies. Morrow & Co. will receive customary fees as compensation for its services plus reimbursement for its related out-of-pocket expenses.
Corn Products expects to solicit proxies primarily by mail, but directors, officers and other employees of Corn Products or Morrow & Co. may also solicit in person or by Internet, telephone or mail. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other employees of Corn Products in connection with this solicitation.
Corn Products stockholders who receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form have shares registered in different forms or in more than one account. Please complete, sign, date and return all proxy cards and provide instructions for all voting instruction forms received to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Corn Products stockholders should not send stock certificates with their proxies. A transmittal form with instructions for the surrender of Corn Products common stock certificates will be mailed to Corn Products stockholders shortly after completion of the merger.
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Bunge is a leading global agribusiness and food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. Bunge conducts operations in three divisions: agribusiness, fertilizer and food products.
Bunge's agribusiness division is an integrated business principally involved in the purchase, storage, transport, processing and sale of agricultural commodities and commodity products. Bunge's agribusiness operations and assets are primarily located in North and South America, Europe, China and India.
Bunge's fertilizer division is involved in every stage of the fertilizer business, from mining of raw materials to the sale of fertilizer products. The activities of Bunge's fertilizer division are primarily located in Brazil.
Bunge's food products division consists of two business segments: edible oil products and milling products. These segments include businesses that produce and sell food products such as edible oils, shortenings, margarines, mayonnaise and milled products such as wheat flours and corn products. The activities of Bunge's food products division are primarily located in North America, Europe, Brazil, China and India.
Bunge is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda. Bunge's principal executive offices and corporate headquarters are located at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York, 10606, United States of America and the telephone number at that address is (914) 684-2800. Bunge's registered office is located at 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda.
Corn Products is one of the world's largest corn refiners and a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients and industrial products derived from wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. Corn Products and its subsidiaries manufacture and sell a number of ingredients to a wide variety of food and industrial customers. Its products are derived primarily from the processing of corn and other starch-based materials, such as tapioca.
Corn Products' sweetener products include high fructose corn syrup, glucose corn syrups, high maltose corn syrups, caramel color, dextrose, polyols, maltodextrins and glucose and corn syrup solids. Its starch-based products include both industrial and food-grade starches.
Corn Products supplies a broad range of customers in many diverse industries around the world, including the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, paper products, corrugated, laminated paper, textile and brewing industries, as well as the global animal feed and corn oil markets.
Approximately 61 percent of Corn Products' 2007 net sales were provided from its North American operations, with the remainder coming from South America and Asia/Africa.
Corn Products was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1997 as a wholly owned subsidiary of CPC International, Inc. On December 31, 1997, it became a public company when the stock of Corn Products was distributed in a spin-off to the holders of CPC International. Corn Products' principal executive offices are located at 5 Westbrook Corporate Center, Westchester, Illinois 60154, and its telephone number is (708) 551-2600.
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Pursuant to the merger agreement, Bleecker Acquisition Corp., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge, will merge with and into Corn Products. Corn Products will be the surviving corporation and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge. As a result of the merger, Corn Products stockholders will be entitled to receive in exchange for each of their shares of Corn Products common stock a fraction of a Bunge common share determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting, provided that if this average closing price is equal to or greater than $133.10, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.4207 of a Bunge common share, and if this average closing price is equal to or less than $108.90, each share of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for 0.5142 of a Bunge common share.
From time to time, Bunge explores and assesses the various strategic alternatives available to strengthen its existing market positions, establish new growth platforms, extend its global footprint into key geographies and deliver increased value to its shareholders. In late 2007 and early 2008, Bunge retained Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley as financial advisors to assist it in evaluating potential business combination transactions, including a combination with Corn Products.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Bunge board of directors on December 13 and 14, 2007, Alberto Weisser, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Bunge, discussed with the Bunge board of directors potential business combination transactions through which Bunge could enter the corn wet milling industry, including a potential business combination transaction with Corn Products. Following discussion, the Bunge board of directors authorized Bunge senior management to proceed with a more in-depth evaluation of opportunities to enter the corn wet milling industry.
Following this meeting, Bunge senior management concluded that, as a preliminary matter, Bunge should focus on a potential business combination with Corn Products. The factors considered by senior management of Bunge in reaching this conclusion included Corn Products' status as a pure play corn wet miller, its products profile, its size and its geographic footprint. Based on their knowledge of Corn Products and its senior management, Bunge senior management also thought that Corn Products would be a good cultural fit with Bunge.
In early 2008, Bunge retained Shearman & Sterling LLP as its legal advisor in connection with its consideration of potential business combination transactions, including a combination with Corn Products.
On January 30, 2008, Mr. Weisser telephoned Samuel C. Scott III, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corn Products, to request a meeting with Mr. Scott. On February 21, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott met and Mr. Weisser inquired about Corn Products' possible interest in a potential strategic transaction between Bunge and Corn Products.
On February 25, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Mr. Scott reported on his conversations with Mr. Weisser and the Corn Products board of directors authorized Mr. Scott to continue his conversations with Mr. Weisser and report back to the board. Following the meeting, representatives of Corn Products contacted its regular outside counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, to inform them of these developments.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Bunge board of directors on February 29, 2008, senior members of Bunge management discussed with the Bunge board of directors various business
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combination possibilities, including a possible combination with Corn Products. As part of that discussion, the strategic rationale for a business combination transaction with Corn Products was discussed, as well as the likely financial impact on Bunge of such a combination. Following discussion, the Bunge board of directors authorized Bunge senior management to continue discussions with senior management of Corn Products regarding a possible business combination transaction between Corn Products and Bunge.
On March 4, 2008, Mr. Scott, William Norman, Corn Products' lead director, and Mary Ann Hynes, Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer of Corn Products, met with representatives of Sidley Austin and discussed the recent conversations between Mr. Scott and Mr. Weisser, as well as the discussion relating thereto among the members of the Corn Products board of directors, including various matters related to the fiduciary duties of the directors and a potential transaction process.
Later on March 4, 2008, Mr. Weisser telephoned Mr. Scott to confirm Bunge's preliminary interest in exploring a business combination transaction with Corn Products. Mr. Weisser did not indicate any financial terms for such a transaction during this call. At the end of the telephone call, Mr. Scott suggested that he and Mr. Weisser meet in Chicago on March 14, 2008 to continue their discussions regarding the exploration of a possible business combination transaction.
On March 7, 2008, management of Corn Products and representatives of Sidley Austin met with representatives of Lazard and informed Lazard of the discussions with Bunge (and Lazard was later formally engaged as Corn Products' financial advisor in connection with a potential business combination transaction). Following that meeting, a telephonic meeting of the Corn Products board of directors was held in which members of Corn Products' senior management and representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard participated. Representatives of Sidley Austin reviewed with the Corn Products board of directors various matters regarding fiduciary duties and other considerations to be taken into account during the transaction process. Mr. Scott presented an update on the events that had occurred since the most recent board meeting and indicated that Lazard would present materials regarding various valuation methodologies for Corn Products at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
On March 14, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Jacqualyn A. Fouse, Chief Financial Officer of Bunge, met in Chicago with Mr. Scott and Ms. Hynes to discuss their preliminary views on a business combination transaction between Bunge and Corn Products. At the meeting, Mr. Scott said that while Corn Products was not currently considering strategic alternatives, he would consider and present to the Corn Products board of directors any indication of interest that Mr. Weisser expressed at the meeting. Mr. Weisser stated that, based solely on Bunge's review of publicly available information, including reports of equity research analysts, Bunge might be prepared to pursue an all-stock transaction for Corn Products at a price that valued each share of Corn Products common stock in the "high-$40s", which suggested a premium of 25% to 30% over the then current market price of Corn Products common stock. The meeting concluded by Mr. Scott committing to discuss Bunge's indication of interest with the Corn Products board of directors and to follow up with Mr. Weisser thereafter.
On March 19, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met in person at a regularly scheduled meeting. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott reported on the meeting with Mr. Weisser and Ms. Fouse and stated that he had received an indication of interest from Bunge at that meeting. Representatives of Sidley Austin briefed the Corn Products board of directors on various legal considerations to be taken into account, including the fiduciary duties of the directors and confidentiality. Representatives of Lazard presented a preliminary analysis of Corn Products' recent stock performance, various strategic alternatives and other observations regarding the indication of interest received from Bunge. Following discussion, the Corn Products board of directors authorized Corn Products senior management to
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continue discussions with Bunge, enter into a mutual confidentiality agreement, exchange high level due diligence information and request Bunge to make a more specific proposal.
On April 1, 2008, Corn Products and Bunge entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement containing customary confidentiality and standstill provisions, and, on April 2, 2008, Bunge sent a due diligence request list to Corn Products requesting that Corn Products provide Bunge and its representatives with certain business, financial, accounting, legal, regulatory and other information.
On April 4, 2008, the Bunge board of directors held a telephonic meeting during which Mr. Weisser updated the Bunge board of directors on the status of discussions with Corn Products and answered questions posed by the Bunge directors.
On April 9, 2008, Mr. Scott, Cheryl K. Beebe, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Corn Products, and Ms. Hynes met in New York with Ms. Fouse and Carl Hausmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bunge North America. At the meeting, the Corn Products representatives made a presentation and answered questions posed by the Bunge representatives regarding certain aspects of Corn Products' business, including recent trends in commodities prices, tax planning and the status of its arbitration against the federal government of Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Corn Products representatives also told the Bunge representatives that they wanted a firmer indication from Bunge as to the price it might be prepared to pay for each share of Corn Products common stock. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Bunge representatives stated that they would consider the information that had been presented by Corn Products and contact Corn Products the following week regarding a per share valuation of Corn Products' common stock.
On April 15, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott spoke by telephone, and Mr. Weisser indicated that Bunge was prepared to revise its preliminary price indication to a price of up to $50.00 per share and reiterated that Bunge was seeking an all-stock transaction structure. Mr. Scott indicated that, if Corn Products were to enter into a transaction with Bunge with a significant stock component, Corn Products would be seeking some form of price protection for its stockholders in the event of fluctuations in the market price of Bunge common shares.
On April 17, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott updated the Corn Products board of directors on the discussions with Bunge since the last board meeting, including the execution of a confidentiality agreement and the mutual exchange of certain due diligence information. He also indicated that Bunge had indicated an interest in acquiring Corn Products at a price of $50.00 per share, based on an all-stock transaction structure. Representatives of Lazard presented an updated preliminary analysis of valuation methodologies for Corn Products, which reflected the increased earnings expectations that Corn Products intended to announce to the public at its upcoming earnings call. Following discussion, the Corn Products board of directors authorized management to continue discussions with Bunge and seek an increase in its indicated price per share of Corn Products common stock before proceeding with additional due diligence review.
On April 18, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott spoke by telephone. Mr. Scott stated that the Corn Products board of directors had authorized Mr. Scott to meet with Mr. Weisser to continue discussing potential transaction terms and structure with Bunge. Mr. Scott also stated that Corn Products would not proceed with due diligence unless Bunge could indicate a price no lower than the "mid-$50s" for each share of Corn Products common stock. Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott agreed to try to arrange a meeting on either April 25, 2008 in Chicago or April 28, 2008 in New York to continue discussions.
On April 21, 2008, Mr. Weisser spoke with Mr. Scott about the transaction process and timing issues, including the mutual due diligence information to be exchanged. At this time, Mr. Scott told Mr. Weisser that a price of $50.00 per share of Corn Products common stock was "too low" and that
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Bunge would have to propose a higher indicative price in order to initiate a process that could lead to a definitive agreement for a business combination transaction with Corn Products. Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott discussed potential ranges of valuation that Mr. Scott would be willing to recommend to the Corn Products board of directors but did not agree on an indicative range and decided to allow Bunge's financial advisors and Corn Products' financial advisor to have discussions regarding the views of Bunge and Corn Products, respectively, as to the valuation of Corn Products.
On April 22, 2008, Bunge's financial advisors and Corn Products' financial advisor spoke by telephone. During the call, the financial advisors discussed the views of Bunge and Corn Products, respectively, as to the valuation considerations for Corn Products and Corn Products' request that Bunge should propose a higher indicative price per share for Corn Products common stock. Corn Products' financial advisor reiterated that while Corn Products was open to an all-stock transaction, some form of price protection would be required.
Also, on April 22, 2008, Corn Products reported its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008. On April 24, 2008, Bunge reported its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2008.
On April 25, 2008, at Bunge's request, Bunge's financial advisors spoke by telephone to Corn Products' financial advisor. Bunge's financial advisors stated that Bunge might be prepared to pay as much as $55.00 per share of Corn Products common stock in an all-stock transaction, but that additional due diligence would be required to determine whether such a price was attainable, and that Bunge was making no commitment on any form of price protection. The financial advisors also discussed the scope of due diligence that Bunge intended to conduct on Corn Products and that Corn Products intended to conduct on Bunge. At the conclusion of the call, Corn Products' financial advisor agreed to respond to Bunge's financial advisors by early the following week.
On April 28, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Lazard reported on recent discussions with Bunge's financial advisors regarding the price and structure of a proposed transaction. Lazard also reviewed the preliminary valuation analyses that it had previously presented to the Corn Products board of directors. Sidley Austin addressed certain legal matters, including the fiduciary duties of the directors. Following discussion, the Corn Products board of directors authorized Lazard to respond to Bunge's financial advisors to schedule additional due diligence review sessions to provide additional information to support an increase in Bunge's indicated price per share of Corn Products common stock.
On April 29, 2008, Bunge's financial advisors spoke by telephone with Corn Products' financial advisor regarding the views of Bunge and Corn Products, respectively, on the valuation of Corn Products common stock. On the telephone call, the financial advisors discussed having the senior management of Corn Products give a presentation to Bunge's senior management to assist Bunge and its financial advisors in understanding Corn Products' views on the valuation of Corn Products common stock. Later that afternoon, Mr. Weisser spoke by telephone with Mr. Scott about their respective views on the valuation of Corn Products common stock. Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott also discussed scheduling a presentation by the senior management of Corn Products to the senior management of Bunge and set the date of such management presentation for May 9, 2008.
On May 9, 2008, Mr. Scott, Ms. Beebe and Ms. Hynes made a full-day presentation in Chicago to the senior management of Bunge focusing on Corn Products' high-level business plan, its arbitration against the federal government of Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement and potential synergy opportunities and answering questions posed by Bunge's senior management. The financial advisors for Bunge and Corn Products also attended the meeting. After the presentation, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott discussed potential ranges for the value of shares of Corn Products common stock and Mr. Weisser stated that, based upon the information that had been provided to date, and
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subject to satisfactory completion by Bunge of its due diligence review, Bunge was prepared to revise its preliminary indication to a price in the range of $54.00 to $56.00 per share of Corn Products common stock.
On May 12, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott updated the Corn Products board of directors on the recent discussions with Bunge, including the $54.00 to $56.00 price range. Lazard discussed its preliminary views regarding valuation in light of the range proposed by Bunge. The Corn Products board of directors also preliminarily discussed with the representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard the potential terms for a definitive merger agreement, including the operation of collars in stock-for-stock transactions, deal protection measures, break-up fees and the right to consider competing proposals. Representatives of Sidley Austin again reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors and other legal matters. Mr. Scott indicated that if the Corn Products board of directors concluded that the proposed price range justified continuing discussions with Bunge, Corn Products management recommended proceeding with mutual in-depth due diligence and described a tentative schedule for proceeding with negotiations. Following further discussion, the Corn Products board of directors authorized continued discussions with Bunge.
On May 14, 2008, Corn Products provided Bunge and its advisors access to an "electronic dataroom". From May 15, 2008 until June 21, 2008, Bunge and its advisors reviewed the due diligence materials provided to them by Corn Products and its financial advisor. In addition, during such period, Bunge and its advisors convened conference calls from time to time with Corn Products and its advisors to discuss matters relating to Bunge's due diligence review of Corn Products.
On May 16, 2008, Mr. Scott, Ms. Beebe and Ms. Hynes together with the regional presidents of Corn Products made a full-day presentation to the senior management of Bunge and its financial advisors and representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, Bunge's transactional due diligence advisors, in Chicago. Corn Products' financial advisor was also present at this meeting. During the management presentation, senior management of Corn Products provided business, financial, accounting, legal, regulatory and other information that was more detailed than the information that had previously been provided to representatives of Bunge, including information by individual business region, and answered due diligence questions posed by Bunge's senior management.
On May 19, 2008, Corn Products' financial advisor sent to Bunge's financial advisors a list of materials and questions that Corn Products and its advisors requested in connection with their due diligence review of Bunge. From May 19, 2008 through June 21, 2008, Corn Products and its advisors reviewed the due diligence materials provided to them by Bunge. In addition, during such period, representatives of Corn Products and its advisors convened conference calls from time to time with representatives of Bunge and its advisors to discuss matters relating to Corn Products' due diligence review of Bunge.
On May 21, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met in person at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board following its annual meeting of stockholders. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott updated the Corn Products board of directors on the discussions with Bunge since the last board meeting. The Corn Products board of directors also met separately with representatives of Sidley Austin but without management and discussed various matters, including an illustrative timetable in the event that the board determined to continue to pursue a potential transaction with Bunge. The Corn Products board of directors also discussed the possible retention of a second investment banking firm to act as financial advisor to Corn Products and render a fairness opinion with respect to any potential transaction.
Later, on May 21, 2008, Bunge sent a draft of a proposed merger agreement to Corn Products.
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On May 22, 2008, the Bunge board of directors held a regularly scheduled meeting in advance of its annual general meeting of shareholders. Representatives of Shearman & Sterling, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley attended the meeting. Shearman & Sterling presented an overview of the responsibilities of the Bunge board of directors under Bermuda law in considering the proposed transaction with Corn Products. Then, Bunge senior management made a presentation to the Bunge board of directors regarding the status of their discussions with Corn Products senior management and Bunge's due diligence review of Corn Products. In addition, senior members of Bunge management discussed their preliminary views as to the valuation of Corn Products common stock and the impact of the proposed transaction on Bunge from financial and credit viewpoints. Bunge's senior management also presented to the Bunge board of directors a comparison of various types of exchange ratio mechanisms used in stock-for-stock transactions. Finally, Bunge senior management presented a preliminary transaction timeline and, along with Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley, answered questions posed by the Bunge directors. At this meeting, Shearman & Sterling also reviewed the principal terms and conditions of the proposed merger agreement. After extended discussion, the Bunge board of directors authorized Bunge senior management to continue to negotiate the proposed transaction with representatives of Corn Products.
On May 29, 2008, members of senior management of Bunge made a full-day presentation to the senior management of Corn Products and its financial advisor regarding Bunge's operations. Bunge's financial advisors were also present at the meeting. Bunge senior management answered due diligence questions posed by Corn Products' senior management and its financial advisor during the presentation and in the May 19, 2008 due diligence request list sent to Bunge's financial advisors.
Later on May 29, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott reported on the progress of discussions with Bunge, and in particular the management presentation by Bunge earlier that day. Mr. Scott and other members of Corn Products senior management reported on potential synergies that could result from a transaction with Bunge and indicated that management would be meeting to identify and consider additional potential synergies. Mr. Norman reported on discussions with investment banking firms to potentially render an additional fairness opinion with respect to any proposed transaction. Following discussion, the Corn Products board of directors approved the retention of a second investment banking firm to act as financial advisor to Corn Products and authorized management to retain JPMorgan for such purpose.
On June 3, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott met in New York. Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott discussed valuation ranges for the shares of Corn Products common stock, including a price of $56.00 for each share of Corn Products common stock. Mr. Scott reiterated his position that, while a transaction in which the consideration consisted entirely of Bunge common shares might be acceptable to the Corn Products board of directors, some form of price protection for Corn Products stockholders would be required. They further discussed possible roles for Corn Products senior and business segment management in the Bunge organization following completion of the merger as well as various other integration issues to be addressed in a potential business combination, and agreed that Corn Products would maintain its operational headquarters in Westchester, Illinois, and continue to use the Corn Products brand name following any transaction.
On June 4, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Representatives of Sidley Austin again reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors and other legal matters. Mr. Scott reported on his meeting with Mr. Weisser. The directors further discussed with management and the representatives of Lazard and Sidley various matters related to a potential transaction, including valuation of Corn Products and the pricing of any potential transaction, including the operation of various price protection mechanisms used in stock-for-stock transactions, the value of potential synergies and the status of due diligence regarding both parties.
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On June 9, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met in person. Representatives of Sidley Austin, Lazard and JPMorgan and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Senior management of Corn Products presented Corn Products' internal financial projections and discussed the implications of such projections with respect to the valuation of Corn Products and a potential transaction with Bunge. Management and Lazard reported on the status of due diligence regarding Bunge. Management also discussed their assessment of potential synergies from a combination with Bunge. Representatives of Lazard presented a preliminary valuation report and a preliminary assessment of a combination of Bunge and Corn Products. Lazard also provided an overview of the operation of price protection mechanisms used in stock-for-stock transactions. JPMorgan also presented a preliminary valuation report. Sidley Austin reviewed the terms of the proposed merger agreement with the directors and received guidance with respect to responding to Bunge with respect to various issues in the proposed merger agreement. The discussion that followed included how to respond to Bunge with respect to price and other financial terms, the number of Bunge board seats to be filled with Corn Products directors in a potential transaction and the timing for any transaction, including Corn Products' ability to approach other potential partners for a business combination transaction before and after potentially entering into a transaction with Bunge.
On June 9, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott spoke by telephone and Mr. Scott updated Mr. Weisser on certain points of discussion among the Corn Products board of directors at their meeting earlier that day. Mr. Scott also told Mr. Weisser that the Corn Products board of directors wanted two or three existing Corn Products directors to be appointed to the Bunge board of directors upon the completion of the proposed merger. Mr. Weisser told Mr. Scott that the Bunge board of directors was prepared to commit to appoint only Mr. Scott to the Bunge board of directors upon the completion of the merger.
On June 10, 2008, representatives of Lazard spoke by telephone with representatives of Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley regarding Corn Products' views on the valuation of Corn Products common stock and price protection mechanisms, as well as certain aspects of the proposed merger agreement, including the termination fee provisions. That evening, Corn Products' legal advisor sent to Bunge's legal advisor a revised proposed merger agreement.
From June 11, 2008 through June 21, 2008, Bunge's legal advisor and Corn Products' legal advisor negotiated the terms of the proposed merger agreement. In connection with these negotiations, the parties exchanged multiple drafts of the proposed merger agreement and comments with respect thereto. Each of Bunge's and Corn Products' senior management teams met regularly with their respective advisors to receive an update on the status of the negotiations and provide direction and instructions to their advisors. Among other terms discussed between the representatives, topics of significant discussion included:
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On June 16, 2008, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott spoke by telephone twice regarding the remaining principal issues with respect to the proposed transaction. Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott discussed valuation and agreed in principle to a price of $56.00 per share of Corn Products common stock, subject to satisfactory completion by both parties of their final due diligence reviews and to the final merger agreement, including the exchange ratio mechanism, being satisfactory to both parties. In addition, Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott agreed that representatives of Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley and Lazard would discuss possible price protection mechanisms, including a floating exchange ratio with upper and lower limits of 10% above and below a representative stock price to be agreed at the time of entering into a definitive agreement, and would report back to members of senior management of Bunge and Corn Products, respectively. Mr. Scott reiterated that the Corn Products board of directors wanted two or three existing Corn Products directors to be appointed to the Bunge board of directors upon the completion of the proposed merger, and Mr. Weisser responded that the Bunge board of directors was prepared to commit only to appointing Mr. Scott to the Bunge board of directors upon completion of the proposed merger, but that he would raise with the Bunge board of directors the possibility of appointing one or two additional Corn Products directors.
On June 16, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors met by teleconference. Representatives of Sidley Austin and Lazard and members of Corn Products senior management also participated in the meeting. Mr. Scott commented on the recent market performance of the Corn Products common stock and reported on his discussions with Mr. Weisser. Representatives of Sidley Austin reported on their discussions with Bunge's legal advisors regarding the terms of the proposed merger agreement. Following discussion, Corn Products management and its advisors were directed to continue to work towards resolving the remaining outstanding issues.
Mr. Weisser and Mr. Scott spoke several times by telephone from June 17, 2008 through June 20, 2008 regarding certain terms of the proposed merger agreement, as well as their plans regarding the announcement of the transaction were it to be finally agreed.
On the morning of June 20, 2008, a special meeting of the Bunge board of directors was held. At the meeting, senior members of Bunge management reviewed with the Bunge board of directors the structure of the proposed transaction, the background of the discussions with Corn Products and the results of Bunge's due diligence review of Corn Products. Bunge senior management also presented the principal terms of the proposed transaction. Credit Suisse presented its financial analyses of the transaction and rendered its oral opinion to Bunge's board of directors, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to the effect that, as of the date thereof, and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio was fair to Bunge from a financial point of view. Morgan Stanley presented its financial analyses of the transaction and rendered its oral opinion to Bunge's board of directors, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to the effect that, as of the date thereof, based upon and subject to the various considerations set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Bunge. Shearman & Sterling then reviewed the principal terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the provisions that had changed over the course of negotiation with Corn Products and its legal advisor. Following extended discussion, and taking into account the factors described below in greater detail under "Bunge's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Bunge Board of Directors", the Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and resolved to recommend that Bunge shareholders vote to approve the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders.
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On June 20, 2008, the Corn Products board of directors also met in person at a special meeting. Representatives of Sidley Austin, Lazard and JPMorgan and members of Corn Products senior management were also present. Representatives of Sidley Austin reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors and other legal matters. Management presented an update of events since the last meeting of the Corn Products board of directors, including the principal financial terms of the proposed transaction, as well as an update on the status of business and legal due diligence of Bunge. Representatives of Sidley Austin reviewed the principal terms of the proposed merger agreement, including the course of negotiations between the advisors regarding the open terms, relevant tax and regulatory considerations, a comparison of Delaware and Bermuda law, the stockholder approval process and timeline and the interim operation of Corn Products after the proposed execution of the merger agreement. Lazard presented its valuation report and described the fairness opinion that it was prepared to deliver. Following Lazard's report, JPMorgan presented its valuation report and described the fairness opinion that it was prepared to deliver. Extended discussion followed with numerous questions addressed to Corn Products management and its advisors, following which the meeting was scheduled to be reconvened by teleconference the following day.
On June 21, 2008, the meeting of the Corn Products board of directors was reconvened by telephone. Representatives of Sidley Austin, Lazard and JPMorgan and members of Corn Products senior management also participated. Mr. Scott and representatives of Sidley Austin updated the Corn Products board of directors with respect to discussions that had taken place since the previous day, including final changes to the merger agreement. After responding to questions, Lazard delivered to the Corn Products board of directors an oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, that as of such date and based on and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, limitations and qualifications set forth in its respective written opinion, the per share merger consideration to be paid to Corn Products' stockholders in the merger was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of Corn Products common stock. Following the presentation by Lazard and after responding to questions, JPMorgan delivered to the Corn Products board of directors an oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, that as of such date and based on and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, limitations and qualifications set forth in its respective written opinion, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to the holders of Corn Products common stock. After additional discussion, and taking into account the factors described below in greater detail under "Corn Products' Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Corn Products Board of Directors", the Corn Products board of directors unanimously adopted resolutions which, among other things, determined that the merger is in the best interests of Corn Products and its stockholders, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability, approved the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and resolved to recommend that the Corn Products stockholders vote for the adoption of the merger agreement.
Following the meeting of the Corn Products board of directors on June 21, 2008, Bunge, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. and Corn Products executed the merger agreement.
Early in the morning of June 23, 2008, Bunge and Corn Products issued a joint press release announcing their execution of the merger agreement.
Bunge's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Bunge Board of Directors
At a special meeting of the Bunge board of directors held on June 20, 2008, the Bunge board of directors, by unanimous vote of those present, approved the merger agreement and declared its advisability and approved a proposal to issue Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement, and recommends that Bunge shareholders vote "FOR" approval of the proposal.
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In reaching its decision to adopt the proposal and recommend that Bunge shareholders vote to approve the proposal, the Bunge board of directors, at its June 20, 2008 meeting, and at other meetings at which it had considered the proposed acquisition of Corn Products, considered a number of factors, including the following:
47
In the judgment of the Bunge board of directors, however, these potential risks were favorably offset by the potential benefits of the merger discussed above.
48
Opinions of Bunge's Financial AdvisorsOpinion of Morgan Stanley" beginning on page 62. A copy of Morgan Stanley's written opinion is attached as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The foregoing discussion is not intended to be exhaustive, but Bunge believes it addresses the material information and factors considered by the Bunge board of directors in its consideration of the merger, including factors that may support the merger, as well as factors that may weigh against it. In view of the variety of factors and the amount of information considered, the Bunge board of directors did not find it practicable to quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to and did not make specific assessments of the factors considered in reaching its determination. In addition, the Bunge board of directors did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to its ultimate determination, and individual members of the Bunge board of directors may have given different weights to different factors.
Corn Products' Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the Corn Products Board of Directors
In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and declare its advisability and to recommend adoption of the merger agreement to Corn Products stockholders, the Corn Products board of directors consulted with the Corn Products senior management team, as well as its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors, including the following material factors which the Corn Products board of directors viewed as supporting its decision to approve the merger agreement and declare its advisability and to recommend that Corn Products stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement:
49
average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting falls below $108.90 and will be more than $56.00 to the extent that the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share during that period rises above $133.10. The Corn Products board of directors also considered the course of negotiations between the parties, including that such negotiations resulted in a higher price per share of Corn Products common stock than was initially proposed by Bunge.
50
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In the judgment of the Corn Products board of directors, however, these potential risks were more than offset by the potential benefits of the merger discussed above.
The foregoing discussion is not intended to be exhaustive, but Corn Products believes it addresses the material information and factors considered by the Corn Products board of directors in its consideration of the merger, including factors that may support the merger as well as factors that may weigh against it. In view of the variety of factors and the amount of information considered, the Corn Products board of directors did not find it practicable to, and did not make specific assessments of, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to, the specific factors considered in reaching its determination. In addition, the Corn Products board of directors did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to its ultimate determination, and individual members of the Corn Products board of directors may have given different weights to different factors.
In considering the recommendation of the Corn Products board of directors to adopt the merger agreement, Corn Products stockholders should be aware that the executive officers and directors of Corn Products have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Corn Products stockholders generally. The Corn Products board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them when adopting the merger agreement and recommending that Corn Products stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement. See "Interests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger".
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Opinions of Bunge's Financial Advisors
Opinion of Credit Suisse
Bunge retained Credit Suisse to act as its financial advisor in connection with the merger. In connection with its review of the merger, Bunge's board of directors requested that Credit Suisse advise it with respect to the fairness of the exchange ratio to Bunge from a financial point of view. On June 20, 2008, Bunge's board of directors met to review the merger and the terms of the merger agreement. During this meeting, Credit Suisse reviewed with Bunge's board of directors certain financial analyses with respect to the merger and rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to Bunge's board of directors, to the effect that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio was fair to Bunge from a financial point of view.
The full text of Credit Suisse's written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Holders of Bunge common shares are encouraged to read the opinion carefully in its entirety. Credit Suisse provided its opinion for the information of Bunge's board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger and Credit Suisse's opinion does not constitute advice or a recommendation to any holder of Bunge common shares as to how such holder should vote or act on any matter relating to the merger or otherwise. Credit Suisse's opinion addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Bunge of the exchange ratio and does not address any other aspect or implication of the merger, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with the merger or otherwise. The following is a summary of Credit Suisse's opinion and is qualified by reference to the full text of the opinion attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
In arriving at its opinion, Credit Suisse, among other things:
In connection with its review, Credit Suisse did not independently verify any of the foregoing information and assumed and relied on such information being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts for Corn Products that Credit Suisse reviewed, Bunge's management advised Credit Suisse, and Credit Suisse assumed, that such forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of Bunge's
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management as to the future financial performance of Corn Products. Credit Suisse was not provided with, and did not have access to, financial forecasts for Bunge prepared by Bunge's management, other than the limited financial forecasts for Bunge referred to above for calendar year 2008. Accordingly, with respect to the limited financial forecasts for Bunge that Credit Suisse reviewed, Bunge's management advised Credit Suisse, and Credit Suisse assumed, that such forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of Bunge's management as to the future financial performance of Bunge. In addition, with respect to the publicly available financial forecasts for Bunge referred to above, Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed such forecasts with Bunge's management and assumed, with the consent of Bunge's board of directors, that such forecasts (other than for calendar year 2008) represented reasonable estimates and judgments relating to the future financial performance of Bunge. With respect to the estimates provided to Credit Suisse by Bunge's management relating to the cost savings and synergies anticipated to result from the merger, Bunge's management advised Credit Suisse, and Credit Suisse assumed, that such forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of Bunge's management as to such cost savings and synergies and will be realized in the amounts and the times indicated thereby.
Credit Suisse assumed, with the consent of Bunge's board of directors, that the merger would be treated as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. Credit Suisse also assumed, with the consent of Bunge's board of directors, that, in the course of obtaining any regulatory or third party consents, approvals or agreements in connection with the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that would have an adverse effect on Corn Products, Bunge or the contemplated benefits of the merger and that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof. In addition, Credit Suisse was not requested to make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Bunge or Corn Products, nor was Credit Suisse furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Credit Suisse's opinion addressed only the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Bunge of the exchange ratio and did not address any other aspect or implication of the merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with the merger or otherwise including, without limitation, the fairness of the amount or nature of, or any other aspect relating to, any compensation to any officers, directors or employees of any party to the merger, or class of such persons, relative to the amounts to be received by any party in the merger or otherwise. The issuance of Credit Suisse's opinion was approved by its authorized internal committee. Credit Suisse's opinion was necessarily based upon information made available to it as of the date of the opinion and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on such date. Credit Suisse did not express any opinion as to what the value of Bunge common shares actually will be when issued to the holders of Corn Products common stock pursuant to the merger or the prices at which Bunge common shares will trade at any time. Credit Suisse's opinion did not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to alternative transactions or strategies that may be available to Bunge, nor did it address Bunge's underlying business decision to proceed with the merger.
In preparing its opinion to Bunge's board of directors, Credit Suisse performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses, including those described below. The summary of the analyses described below is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Credit Suisse's opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving various quantitative and qualitative judgments and determinations with respect to the financial, comparative and other analytic methods employed and the adaptation and application of these methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented. As a consequence, neither a fairness opinion nor its underlying analyses are readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Credit Suisse arrived at its opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any individual analysis, analytic method or factor. Accordingly,
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Credit Suisse believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, analytic methods and factors, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and opinion.
In performing its analyses, Credit Suisse considered financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, June 21, 2008. No company, transaction or business used in Credit Suisse's analyses for comparative purposes is identical to Bunge, Corn Products or the merger. An evaluation of the results of Credit Suisse's analyses is not entirely mathematical. Rather, Credit Suisse's analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies, transactions or businesses analyzed. The estimates contained in Credit Suisse's analyses and the implied reference ranges indicated by Credit Suisse's analyses are illustrative and not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by the analyses. In addition, any analyses relating to the value of assets, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which may depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Bunge, Corn Products and Credit Suisse. Much of the information used in, and accordingly the results of, Credit Suisse's analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.
Credit Suisse's opinion and analyses were provided to Bunge's board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger and were among many factors considered by Bunge's board of directors in evaluating the merger. Neither Credit Suisse's opinion nor its analyses were determinative of the exchange ratio or of the views of Bunge's board of directors or management with respect to the merger or the exchange ratio. The exchange ratio was determined through arm's-length negotiations between Bunge and Corn Products and was approved by Bunge's board of directors. Credit Suisse was not requested to, and it did not, recommend any specific exchange ratio to Bunge or that any specific exchange ratio constituted the only appropriate exchange ratio for the merger.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by Credit Suisse in connection with the preparation of its opinion and reviewed with Bunge's board of directors. The analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. To understand the analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the analyses, as well as the methodologies underlying and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations affecting each analysis, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Credit Suisse's analyses.
Corn Products Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Credit Suisse calculated the estimated present value of the unlevered, free cash flows that Corn Products could generate during the period from March 31, 2008 through December 31, 2015, based on financial forecasts for Corn Products provided by Bunge's management. Credit Suisse then calculated a range of estimated terminal values by multiplying calendar year 2015 estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) by selected EBITDA multiples ranging from 7.5x to 9.0x. The estimated free cash flows and terminal values were then discounted to present value using discount rates ranging from 8.0% to 9.5%. Based on this analysis, Credit Suisse derived an implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock. Credit Suisse compared the results of this analysis to the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement. See "Merger Consideration" for a description of the exchange ratio and the related collar mechanism.
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Credit Suisse also derived an implied exchange ratio reference range by dividing the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock by the closing price for Bunge common shares of $122.17 on June 20, 2008, the last trading date prior to Credit Suisse's opinion. To illustrate the sensitivity of the implied exchange ratio reference range to changes in the price for Bunge common shares, Credit Suisse also derived implied exchange ratio reference ranges by dividing the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock by reference prices for Bunge common shares of $108.90 and $133.10, respectively, which would result in the exchange ratio collars of 0.5142x and 0.4207x, respectively, becoming effective pursuant to the merger agreement. Credit Suisse compared the results of these analyses to the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to the applicable reference prices for Bunge common shares. The following table summarizes the results of these analyses:
|
Implied Reference Ranges |
Per Share Value of Merger Consideration and Related Implied Exchange Ratios |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Implied Corn Products Per Share Equity Value | $ | 47.27 $60.12 | $ | 56.00 | ||||
Implied Exchange Ratio |
||||||||
At Current Bunge Share Price ($122.17) | 0.3869x 0.4921 | x | 0.4584 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by High End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($108.90) | 0.4341x 0.5521 | x | 0.5142 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by Low End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($133.10) | 0.3551x 0.4517 | x | 0.4207 | x |
Credit Suisse also calculated an implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock after giving effect to the estimates of potential cost savings and synergies anticipated by Bunge's management to result from the merger. Credit Suisse calculated this implied per share equity value reference range by adding 100% of the net present value per share of the potential cost savings and synergies (based on the midpoint of the estimates provided by Bunge's management and using discount rates ranging from 8.0% to 9.5%) to the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock derived above. Credit Suisse then derived an implied exchange ratio reference range, as well as implied exchange ratio reference range sensitivities, by dividing the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock (including the potential cost savings and synergies) by the applicable prices for Bunge common shares. The following table summarizes the results of these analyses:
|
Implied Reference Ranges (Including Cost Savings and Synergies) |
Per Share Value of Merger Consideration and Related Implied Exchange Ratios |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Implied Corn Products Per Share Equity Value | $ | 55.46 $70.21 | $ | 56.00 | ||||
Implied Exchange Ratio |
||||||||
At Current Bunge Share Price ($122.17) | 0.4540x 0.5747 | x | 0.4584 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by High End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($108.90) | 0.5093x 0.6447 | x | 0.5142 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by Low End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($133.10) | 0.4167x 0.5275 | x | 0.4207 | x |
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Corn Products Selected Companies Analysis
Using publicly available information, Credit Suisse reviewed certain financial and stock market information for the following publicly traded corporations in the agribusiness industry:
Tier 1
Tier 2
The selected companies were chosen because they are publicly traded companies that operate in a similar industry to Corn Products and have lines of business and financial and operating characteristics similar to Corn Products. The selected companies had an enterprise value of between approximately $1.4 billion and $29.7 billion. Credit Suisse determined using its professional judgment that these selected companies were the most appropriate for purposes of this analysis and Credit Suisse did not identify any other companies for this purpose.
With respect to the selected companies, Credit Suisse reviewed, among other things, enterprise values as multiples of calendar years 2008 and 2009 estimated EBITDA. Credit Suisse then applied a range of selected multiples of such financial data derived from the selected companies to corresponding financial data for Corn Products. Credit Suisse calculated the multiples and ratios of the selected companies using closing stock prices as of June 20, 2008, and information it obtained from public filings, publicly available research analyst estimates and other publicly available information. Corn Products' estimated EBITDA for calendar years 2008 and 2009 was based on estimates provided by Bunge's management. Based on this analysis, Credit Suisse derived an implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock. Credit Suisse compared the results of this analysis to the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement.
Credit Suisse also derived an implied exchange ratio reference range, as well as implied exchange ratio reference range sensitivities as described under "Corn Products Discounted Cash Flow Analysis" above, by dividing the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock by the applicable prices for Bunge common shares. Credit Suisse compared the results of these analyses to the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement
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relative to the applicable prices for Bunge common shares. The following table summarizes the results of these analyses:
|
Implied Reference Ranges |
Per Share Value of Merger Consideration and Related Implied Exchange Ratios |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Implied Corn Products Per Share Equity Value | $ | 42.37 $53.63 | $ | 56.00 | ||||
Implied Exchange Ratio |
||||||||
At Current Bunge Share Price ($122.17) | 0.3468x 0.4390 | x | 0.4584 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by High End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($108.90) | 0.3890x 0.4925 | x | 0.5142 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by Low End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($133.10) | 0.3183x 0.4030 | x | 0.4207 | x |
Corn Products Selected Transactions Analysis
Credit Suisse reviewed certain transaction values and multiples in the following selected publicly-announced transactions, which involved companies with businesses in the grain, sugar and ingredients industries:
Transactions in Grain Industry
Target |
Acquiror |
|
---|---|---|
Sadia Concórdia Indústria e Comércio S.A.four facilities | ADM Exportadora e Importadora S.A. | |
Arancia-CPC S.A. de C.V. | Corn Products | |
Cerestar USA, Inc. | Cargill, Inc. | |
Minnesota Corn Processors LLC | Archer Daniels Midland Company | |
Cereol S.A. | Bunge | |
Delta & Pine Land Company | Monsanto Company | |
Agricore United, Inc. | Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc. (n/k/a Viterra Inc.) |
Transactions in Sugar Industry
Target |
Acquiror |
|
---|---|---|
Compagnie Française de Sucrerie | Eridania Beghin-Say, Union SDA, Saint Louis Sucre S.A. | |
Société de Fabriques de Sucre | Cristal Development | |
Saint Louis Sucre S.A. | Albert Frère | |
Saint Louis Sucre S.A. | Südzucker AG | |
Beghin-Say | Origny-Naples Consortium | |
Illovo Sugar Limited | Associated British Foods plc |
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Transactions in Ingredients Industry
Target |
Acquiror |
|
---|---|---|
CP Kelco ApS | Hercules Incorporated | |
Germantown International Limited | Danisco A/S | |
Quest International's Food Ingredients Business | Kerry Group plc | |
Rhodia S.A.'s Food Ingredients Business | Danisco A/S | |
Burns, Philp & Company Limited | Associated British Foods plc | |
Degussa Food Ingredients | Cargill, Inc. | |
Cesalpinia Food | Tate & Lyle PLC | |
Tate & Lyle PLC, Food & Industrial Ingredients, Europe | Syral SAS |
The selected transactions were chosen because the target companies operate in similar industries to Corn Products and have lines of business and financial and operating characteristics similar to Corn Products. Credit Suisse determined using its professional judgment that these selected transactions were the most appropriate for purposes of this analysis and Credit Suisse did not identify any other transactions for this purpose.
For each of the selected transactions, Credit Suisse reviewed, among other things, enterprise value of the target company or business as a multiple of the target company's or business' LTM EBITDA. Credit Suisse then applied a range of selected multiples derived from the selected transactions to Corn Products' actual LTM EBITDA as of March 31, 2008 and calendar year 2008 estimated EBITDA. Credit Suisse calculated multiples for the selected transactions based on publicly available financial information with respect to the target companies and businesses and the selected transactions. Corn Products' estimated EBITDA for calendar year 2008 was based on estimates provided by Bunge's management. Based on this analysis, Credit Suisse derived an implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock. Credit Suisse compared the results of this analysis to the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement.
Credit Suisse also derived an implied exchange ratio reference range, as well as implied exchange ratio reference range sensitivities as described under "Corn Products Discounted Cash Flow Analysis" above, by dividing the implied per share equity value reference range for Corn Products common stock by the applicable prices for Bunge common shares. Credit Suisse compared the results of these analyses to the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to the applicable prices for Bunge common shares. The following table summarizes the results of these analyses:
|
Implied Reference Ranges |
Per Share Value of Merger Consideration and Related Implied Exchange Ratios |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Implied Corn Products Per Share Equity Value | $ | 46.12 $58.64 | $ | 56.00 | ||||
Implied Exchange Ratio |
||||||||
At Current Bunge Share Price ($122.17) | 0.3775x 0.4800 | x | 0.4584 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by High End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($108.90) | 0.4235x 0.5385 | x | 0.5142 | x | ||||
At Bunge Share Price Implied by Low End of Exchange Ratio Collar ($133.10) | 0.3465x 0.4406 | x | 0.4207 | x |
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Bunge Selected Companies Analysis
Using publicly available information, Credit Suisse reviewed certain financial and stock market information for the following publicly traded corporations in the grain/agribusiness and fertilizer industries, respectively:
Grain/Agribusiness
Fertilizer
With respect to the selected companies, Credit Suisse reviewed, among other things, enterprise values as multiples of estimated EBITDA for calendar years 2008 and 2009. Credit Suisse then compared the multiples derived for the selected companies with corresponding multiples implied for Bunge. Credit Suisse calculated the multiples and ratios of the selected companies using closing stock prices as of June 20, 2008, and information it obtained from public filings, publicly available research analyst estimates and other publicly available information. Bunge's estimated EBITDA for calendar years 2008 and 2009 was based on publicly available research analyst estimates and, for calendar year 2008, estimates provided by Bunge's management. Credit Suisse did not derive an implied per share equity value reference range for Bunge common shares from this analysis.
Relative Contribution Analysis
Credit Suisse reviewed the relative contributions of Bunge and Corn Products to pro forma equity value as of June 20, 2008, pro forma LTM EBITDA and net income as of March 31, 2008, and pro forma estimated EBITDA and net income for calendar years 2008 and 2009, in each case, for the pro forma combined company, excluding any cost savings or synergies that may result from the merger. Credit Suisse derived implied exchange ratios and fully diluted equity ownership of Corn Products' stockholders in Bunge implied by such relative contributions for each financial measure observed, adjusted for Bunge's and Corn Products' net debt and certain other corporate-level adjustments. This analysis was based on publicly available financial forecasts for Corn Products and Bunge. The following table shows the results of this analysis:
|
Implied Exchange Ratio |
Corn Products Implied Ownership |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity Value | 0.3512 | x | 16.4 | % | ||
EBITDA |
||||||
LTM (3/31/08) | 0.4581 | x | 20.4 | % | ||
CY2008E | 0.4698 | x | 20.8 | % | ||
CY2009E | 0.4633 | x | 20.6 | % | ||
Net Income |
||||||
LTM (3/31/08) | 0.3595 | x | 16.8 | % | ||
CY2008E | 0.4135 | x | 18.8 | % | ||
CY2009E | 0.3891 | x | 17.9 | % |
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Pro Forma Impact on Bunge
Credit Suisse analyzed certain pro forma effects estimated to result from the merger, including the illustrative effect of the merger on Bunge's estimated earnings per common share (EPS) for calendar years 2009 and 2010, with and without giving effect to estimates of potential cost savings and synergies anticipated by Bunge's management to result from the merger. Credit Suisse's analysis did not take into account one-time costs related to implementation of any potential cost savings and synergies. Credit Suisse performed this analysis using the exchange ratio implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to an illustrative current price for Bunge common shares of $121.00 over the measurement period for establishing the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement. Credit Suisse also performed this analysis using the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to reference prices for Bunge common shares of $108.90 and $133.10, respectively, which would result in the exchange ratio collars of 0.5142x and 0.4207x, respectively, becoming effective pursuant to the merger agreement. This analysis was based on financial forecasts for Corn Products provided by Bunge's management and publicly available financial forecasts relating to Bunge.
This analysis suggested that the merger would be dilutive to Bunge's estimated calendar year 2009 EPS using the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to the illustrative current price and reference prices for Bunge common shares of $121.00, $108.90 and $133.10, respectively, in each case with and without giving effect to potential cost savings and synergies. This analysis also suggested that the merger would be dilutive to Bunge's estimated calendar year 2010 EPS using the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to the illustrative current price and reference prices for Bunge common shares of $121.00, $108.90 and $133.10, respectively, in each case without giving effect to potential cost savings and synergies and, in the case of the $108.90 reference price for Bunge common shares, with giving effect to potential cost savings and synergies. Finally, this analysis suggested that the merger would be accretive to Bunge's estimated calendar year 2010 EPS using the exchange ratios implied by the $56.00 per share value of the merger consideration for Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement relative to the illustrative current price and reference price for Bunge common shares of $121.00 and $133.10, respectively, in each case with giving effect to potential cost savings and synergies.
Miscellaneous
Bunge engaged Credit Suisse to act as its financial advisor in connection with the merger. Bunge selected Credit Suisse based on Credit Suisse's qualifications, experience and reputation, and its familiarity with Bunge and its business. Credit Suisse is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. Pursuant to Bunge's engagement letter with Credit Suisse, Bunge has agreed to pay Credit Suisse a fee of approximately $12.8 million for its services in connection with the merger, of which approximately $11.6 million is contingent upon consummation of the merger. In addition, Credit Suisse is eligible to receive a discretionary fee of approximately $2.5 million. Bunge has also agreed to reimburse Credit Suisse for certain expenses and to indemnify Credit Suisse and certain related parties for certain liabilities and other items arising out of or relating to Credit Suisse's engagement.
Credit Suisse and its affiliates have in the past provided, and in the future may provide, investment banking and other financial services to Corn Products and its affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received, and would expect to receive, compensation. Credit Suisse and its affiliates also
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have in the past provided, and are currently providing and in the future may provide, investment banking and other financial services to Bunge and its affiliates, including having acted as financial advisor to Bunge in connection with the sale of a controlling stake in Seara Alimentos S.A. and as placement agent in connection with the placement of Bunge's 4.875% cumulative convertible perpetual preference shares. In the past three years, Bunge has paid Credit Suisse approximately $15.5 million for those services. Credit Suisse and its affiliates may have provided other financial advice and services, and may in the future provide financial advice and services, to Corn Products, Bunge and their respective affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received, and would expect to receive, compensation. Credit Suisse is a full service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, Credit Suisse and its affiliates may acquire, hold or sell, for its and its affiliates' own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of Corn Products, Bunge and any other company that may be involved in the merger, as well as provide investment banking and other financial services to such companies.
Opinion of Morgan Stanley
Bunge retained Morgan Stanley to provide financial advisory services and a financial opinion to Bunge's board of directors in connection with the proposed merger. Bunge's board of directors selected Morgan Stanley to act as Bunge's financial advisor based on Morgan Stanley's qualifications, expertise, reputation and knowledge of Bunge's business and affairs. At the special meeting of Bunge's board of directors on June 20, 2008, Morgan Stanley reviewed with Bunge's board of directors certain financial analyses with respect to the merger and rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, to Bunge's board of directors, to the effect that, as of the date thereof, based upon and subject to the various considerations set forth in the written opinion, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to Bunge.
The full text of Morgan Stanley's written opinion, dated as of June 21, 2008, is attached as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The opinion sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the opinion and the scope of the review undertaken by Morgan Stanley in rendering its opinion. The summary of Morgan Stanley's fairness opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified by reference to the full text of the opinion. Bunge shareholders should read the opinion carefully and in its entirety. Morgan Stanley's opinion is directed to the board of directors of Bunge, addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view of the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement to Bunge as of the date of the opinion, and does not address any other aspect of the merger. Morgan Stanley's opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any Bunge shareholder or Corn Products stockholder as to how such shareholder or stockholder should vote on, or take any action with respect to, the merger or any other matter. In addition, the opinion does not in any manner address the prices at which Bunge common shares will trade following the consummation of the merger.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley, among other things:
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In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the information that was publicly available or supplied or otherwise made available to it by Bunge and Corn Products, and formed a substantial basis for its opinion. With respect to the financial projections, including information relating to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the merger, Morgan Stanley assumed that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of Bunge and Corn Products of the future financial performance of Bunge and Corn Products. Morgan Stanley relied, at Bunge's direction, on the financial projections concerning Corn Products prepared by Bunge's management for purposes of its opinion. In addition, Morgan Stanley was not provided with, and it did not have access to, financial projections concerning Bunge prepared by Bunge's management other than the limited financial projections provided to Morgan Stanley for calendar year 2008. Accordingly, Morgan Stanley was advised by Bunge's management and assumed that the publicly available financial projections concerning Bunge (other than for calendar year 2008), and the limited financial projections for calendar year 2008 concerning Bunge prepared by Bunge's management, were a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the future financial performance of Bunge, and Morgan Stanley relied, at Bunge's direction, on these financial projections for purposes of its opinion. In addition, Morgan Stanley assumed that the merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement without any waiver, amendment or delay of any terms or conditions, including, among other things, that the merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization and/or exchange, each pursuant to the Code. Morgan Stanley assumed that in connection with the receipt of all the necessary governmental, regulatory or other approvals and consents required for the proposed merger, no delays, limitations, conditions or restrictions will be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits expected to be derived in the proposed merger.
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Morgan Stanley relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment by Bunge's management of: (i) the strategic, financial and other benefits expected to result from the merger; (ii) the timing and risks associated with the integration of Bunge and Corn Products; (iii) their ability to retain key employees of Bunge and Corn Products, respectively; and (iv) the validity of, and risks associated with, Bunge's and Corn Products' existing and future intellectual property, products, services and business models. Morgan Stanley is not a legal, tax or regulatory advisor. Morgan Stanley is a financial advisor only and relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment of Bunge and Corn Products and their legal, tax or regulatory advisors with respect to such matters. Morgan Stanley expressed no opinion with respect to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to any of Bunge's or Corn Products' officers, directors or employees, or any class of such persons, relative to the consideration to be paid to the holders of shares of Corn Products common stock in the merger. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Corn Products or Bunge, nor was it furnished with any such appraisals. Morgan Stanley's opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of, June 21, 2008. Events occurring after June 21, 2008 may affect Morgan Stanley's opinion and the assumptions used in preparing it, and Morgan Stanley did not assume any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion.
The following is a brief summary of the material financial analyses performed by Morgan Stanley in connection with the preparation of its written opinion letter of June 21, 2008.
Historical Share Price Analysis
Morgan Stanley reviewed the stock and share price performance, as applicable, and trading volumes of Corn Products and Bunge during various periods ending on June 20, 2008.
Morgan Stanley noted that the range of low and high closing prices of shares of Corn Products common stock during the 52-week period ending June 20, 2008 was from approximately $32 to $49 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for shares of Corn Products common stock as of June 20, 2008 was $42.90 per share. Morgan Stanley also noted that the implied merger consideration value of shares of Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement was $56 per share.
Morgan Stanley noted that the range of low and high closing prices of Bunge common shares during the 52-week period ending June 20, 2008 was from approximately $80 to $133 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for Bunge common shares as of June 20, 2008 was $122.17 per share.
Morgan Stanley calculated the range of exchange ratios implied by calculating the lowest and the highest exchange ratios actually realized during the 52-week period ending June 20, 2008 by dividing the closing prices of shares of Corn Products common stock by the closing prices of Bunge common shares. This analysis implied a range of exchange ratios from 0.2798x to 0.5629x as compared to the exchange ratio range of 0.4207x (at the top of the exchange ratio collar) to 0.5142x (at the bottom of the exchange ratio collar) pursuant to the merger agreement.
Equity Research Analyst Price Targets
Morgan Stanley reviewed selected public market trading price targets for Corn Products common stock prepared and published by equity research analysts prior to June 20, 2008. These targets reflect each analyst's estimate of the future public market trading price of Corn Products common stock at the time the price target was published. For the period ending June 20, 2008, the range of selected equity analyst price targets for Corn Products common stock was from approximately $48 to $54 per share. Morgan Stanley also calculated the one year present value of the selected equity analyst price targets for Corn Products common stock using a discount rate of 9%. The range of present values of selected equity analyst price targets for Corn Products common stock was from approximately $45 to $51 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for shares of Corn Products common stock as of
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June 20, 2008 was $42.90 per share. Morgan Stanley also noted that the implied merger consideration value of shares of Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement was $56 per share.
Morgan Stanley also reviewed selected public market trading price targets for Bunge common shares prepared and published by equity research analysts prior to June 20, 2008. These targets reflect each analyst's estimate of the future public market trading price of Bunge common shares at the time the price target was published. For the period ending June 20, 2008, the range of selected equity analyst price targets for Bunge common shares was from approximately $118 to $150 per share. Morgan Stanley also calculated the one year present value of the selected equity analyst price targets for Bunge common shares using a discount rate of 9%. The range of present values of selected equity analyst price targets for Bunge common shares was from approximately $112 to $143 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for Bunge common shares as of June 20, 2008 was $122.17 per share.
Morgan Stanley calculated the exchange ratio implied by selected analyst's price targets for Corn Products and Bunge by dividing the Corn Products price target by the Bunge price target. This analysis implied a range of exchange ratios from 0.3333x to 0.4320x based on price targets during the period prior to June 20, 2008, as compared to the exchange ratio range of 0.4207x (at the top of the exchange ratio collar) to 0.5142x (at the bottom of the exchange ratio collar) pursuant to the merger agreement.
The public market trading price targets published by securities research analysts do not necessarily reflect current market trading prices for Corn Products common stock or Bunge common shares and these estimates are subject to uncertainties, including the future financial performance of Corn Products and Bunge and future financial market conditions.
Comparable Company Analysis
Morgan Stanley compared certain financial information of Corn Products and Bunge with publicly available consensus earnings estimates for other companies that shared similar business characteristics to Corn Products and Bunge, respectively. The companies used in this comparison included the following companies:
Morgan Stanley selected these companies for its comparable company analysis based on its experience with companies in the agribusiness industry and their relative similarity in size and business mix to that of Corn Products and Bunge, respectively. Morgan Stanley did not identify any other companies for purposes of this analysis.
For purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley analyzed the ratio of aggregate value, defined as equity value plus the sum of gross debt and minority interests less cash and cash equivalents, to estimated calendar years 2008 and 2009 consensus EBITDA (based on Wall Street research consensus estimates and defined as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of each of these companies.
Based on an analysis of the relevant metrics for each of the comparable companies for Corn Products, Morgan Stanley selected a reference range of calendar year 2008 EBITDA multiples of 7.0x to 9.0x for the comparable companies and a reference range of calendar year 2009 EBITDA multiples of 6.5x to 8.5x for the comparable companies, then applied these ranges of multiples to the relevant projected financial statistics of Corn Products for calendar years 2008 and 2009, respectively. For
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purposes of estimated calendar years 2008 and 2009 EBITDA, Morgan Stanley utilized publicly available equity research estimates for Corn Products.
Based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2008 EBITDA of Corn Products, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied value range for shares of Corn Products common stock of approximately $43 to $56 per share. Based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2009 EBITDA of Corn Products, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied value range for shares of Corn Products common stock of approximately $42 to $57 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for shares of Corn Products common stock as of June 20, 2008 was $42.90 per share. Morgan Stanley also noted that the implied merger consideration value of shares of Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement was $56 per share.
Based on an analysis of the relevant metrics for each of the comparable companies for Bunge, Morgan Stanley selected a reference range of calendar year 2008 EBITDA multiples of 8.5x to 10.0x for the comparable companies and a reference range of calendar year 2009 EBITDA multiples of 8.0x to 9.5x for the comparable companies, then applied these ranges of multiples to the relevant financial statistics of Bunge for calendar years 2008 and 2009, respectively. For purposes of estimated calendar years 2008 and 2009 EBITDA, Morgan Stanley utilized publicly available equity research estimates for Bunge and the limited financial projections for calendar year 2008 concerning Bunge prepared by Bunge's management.
Based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2008 EBITDA of Bunge, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied value range for Bunge common shares of approximately $105 to $130 per share. Based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2009 EBITDA of Bunge, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied value range for Bunge common shares of approximately $102 to $128 per share. Based on estimates for calendar year 2008 EBITDA of Bunge prepared by Bunge's management, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied value range for Bunge common shares of approximately $125 to $153 per share, which Morgan Stanley noted assumed there would be no change in calendar year 2008 EBITDA multiples for Bunge following public announcement of Bunge's revised estimates for calendar year 2008. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for Bunge common shares as of June 20, 2008 was $122.17 per share.
Morgan Stanley calculated the exchange ratios implied by dividing the implied value range for shares of Corn Products common stock by the implied value range for Bunge common shares. Morgan Stanley noted that such analyses indicated a range of implied exchange ratios of 0.4032x to 0.4281x based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2008, 0.4131x to 0.4406x based on publicly available equity research estimates for calendar year 2009, and 0.3402x to 0.3639x based on 2008 financial forecasts for Bunge prepared by Bunge's management and 2008 financial forecasts for Corn Products based on publicly available equity research estimates. Morgan Stanley then compared these ranges of implied exchange ratios to the exchange ratio range of 0.4207x (at the top of the exchange ratio collar) to 0.5142x (at the bottom of the exchange ratio collar) pursuant to the merger agreement.
No company utilized in the comparable company analysis is identical to Corn Products or Bunge. In evaluating comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Corn Products and Bunge, such as the impact of competition on the businesses of Corn Products and Bunge and the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any adverse material change in the financial condition and prospects of Corn Products and Bunge or the industry or in the financial markets in general. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable company data.
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Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Morgan Stanley calculated a range of equity values per share of Corn Products common stock based on an eight year discounted cash flow analysis for calendar years 2008 through 2015, and Morgan Stanley calculated a range of equity values per Bunge common share based on a five year discounted cash flow analysis for calendar years 2008 through 2012. In preparing its analysis for Corn Products, Morgan Stanley relied upon Bunge management's projections with respect to the projected future financial performance of Corn Products, both with and without giving effect to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the merger, which are referred to as "synergies". In preparing its analysis for Bunge, Morgan Stanley relied upon the limited financial projections for calendar year 2008 concerning Bunge prepared by Bunge's management, publicly available equity research estimates with respect to the projected future financial performance of Bunge for calendar years 2009 and 2010, and extrapolations by Morgan Stanley of those projections for calendar years 2011 and 2012. Morgan Stanley refers to this scenario for Bunge as the "illustrative street research case".
In arriving at the estimated equity values per share of Corn Products common stock, Morgan Stanley calculated Corn Products' projected annual after-tax unlevered free cash flows for the calendar years 2008 through 2015, both with and without giving effect to synergies. Morgan Stanley then estimated terminal values in 2015 by applying a nominal perpetual growth rate of 2.5% to the projected unlevered free cash flows in 2015. Morgan Stanley then discounted Corn Products' projected unlevered free cash flow streams and the estimated terminal value to a present value using a range of discount rates from 7.5% to 8.5%. Morgan Stanley also considered the impact of the net present value, using a 9% discount rate, of a potential after-tax benefit to Corn Products from the assumed receipt of proceeds of a litigation judgment against the Mexican (federal) government, assuming that this benefit was received at the end of calendar year 2008. Based on the foregoing analysis, the discounted cash flow analysis of Corn Products yielded an implied valuation range for Corn Products common stock of approximately $50 to $61 per share, without giving effect to any synergies, and an implied valuation range for Corn Products common stock of approximately $50 to $64 per share, without giving effect to any synergies and including the potential after-tax benefit of the judgment against Mexico. Based on the foregoing analysis, the discounted cash flow analysis of Corn Products yielded an implied valuation range for Corn Products common stock of approximately $64 to $78 per share, giving effect to synergies, and an implied valuation range for Corn Products common stock of approximately $64 to $81 per share, giving effect to synergies and including the potential after-tax benefit of the judgment against Mexico. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price for shares of Corn Products common stock as of June 20, 2008 was $42.90 per share. Morgan Stanley also noted that the implied merger consideration value of shares of Corn Products common stock established within the exchange ratio collar pursuant to the merger agreement was $56 per share
In arriving at the estimated equity values per Bunge common share, Morgan Stanley calculated Bunge's projected annual after-tax unlevered free cash flows for the calendar years 2008 through 2012 using the illustrative street research case. Morgan Stanley then estimated a terminal value in 2012 by applying a nominal perpetual growth rate of 2.5% to the projected unlevered free cash flows in 2012. Morgan Stanley then discounted Bunge's projected unlevered free cash flow streams and the estimated terminal value to a present value using a range of discount rates from 7.5% to 8.5%. Based on the foregoing analysis, the discounted cash flow analysis of Bunge yielded an implied valuation range for Bunge common shares of approximately $116 to $150 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the Bunge closing price as of June 20, 2008 was $122.17.
Morgan Stanley calculated the exchange ratios implied by dividing the implied valuation range for Corn Products common stock by the implied valuation range for Bunge common shares. Morgan Stanley noted that such discounted cash flow analysis for Corn Products and Bunge and indicated a range of implied exchange ratios of 0.4104x to 0.4284x, without giving effect to synergies at Corn Products, and 0.5240x to 0.5468x, after giving effect to synergies at Corn Products, as compared to the exchange ratio range of 0.4207x (at the top of the exchange ratio collar) to 0.5142x (at the bottom of the exchange ratio collar) pursuant to the merger agreement.
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In connection with the review of the merger by Bunge's board of directors, Morgan Stanley performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a financial opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered the results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor it considered. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley believes that the summary provided and the analyses described above must be considered as a whole and that selecting any portion of the analyses, without considering all of the analyses as a whole, would create an incomplete view of the process underlying Morgan Stanley's analyses and opinion. In addition, Morgan Stanley may have given various analyses and factors more or less weight than other analyses and factors, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above should not be taken to be the view of Morgan Stanley with respect to the actual value of Corn Products or Bunge, their respective shares of capital stock or the value of the combined company.
In performing its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business, regulatory, and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Morgan Stanley. Any estimates contained in the analyses of Morgan Stanley are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates.
Morgan Stanley conducted the analyses described above solely as part of its analysis of the fairness of the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger agreement from a financial point to Bunge and in connection with the delivery of its opinion to Bunge's board of directors. These analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which Bunge common shares or Corn Products common stock might actually trade.
The exchange ratio was determined through arm's-length negotiations between Bunge and Corn Products and was approved by Bunge's board of directors. Morgan Stanley provided advice to Bunge during these negotiations. Morgan Stanley did not, however, recommend any specific exchange ratio to Bunge or that any specific exchange ratio constituted the only appropriate exchange ratio for the merger.
Morgan Stanley's opinion and its presentation to Bunge's board of directors was one of many factors taken into consideration by Bunge's board of directors in deciding to approve, adopt and authorize the merger agreement. Consequently, the analyses as described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of Bunge's board of directors with respect to the exchange ratio or of whether Bunge's board of directors would have been willing to agree to a different exchange ratio. Morgan Stanley's opinion was approved by a committee of Morgan Stanley investment banking and other professionals in accordance with its customary practice.
Morgan Stanley is an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Morgan Stanley, as part of its investment banking and financial advisory business, is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate, estate and other purposes. Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm engaged in the securities, investment management and individual wealth management businesses. Its securities business is engaged in securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities, foreign exchange, commodities and derivatives trading, prime brokerage, as well as providing investment banking, financing and financial advisory services. Morgan Stanley, its affiliates, directors and officers may at any time invest on a principal basis or manage funds that invest, hold long or short positions, finance positions, and may trade or otherwise structure and effect transactions, for their own account or the accounts of its customers, in debt or equity securities or loans of Bunge, Corn
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Products, or any other company, or any currency or commodity, that may be involved in the merger transaction, or any related derivative instrument.
In the past two years, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates have provided financial advisory and financing services for Bunge and Corn Products and have received fees in connection with such services. In the past two years, Bunge has paid Morgan Stanley approximately $800,000 for such services. Morgan Stanley may also seek to provide such services to Bunge and Corn Products in the future and expects to receive fees for the rendering of these services. Under the terms of its engagement letter with Bunge, Morgan Stanley provided Bunge with financial advisory services and a financial opinion in connection with the merger, and Bunge has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a fee of approximately $12.8 million, of which approximately $11.6 million is contingent upon consummation of the merger. In addition, Morgan Stanley is eligible to receive a discretionary fee of approximately $2.5 million. Bunge has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for its expenses incurred in performing its services. In addition, Bunge has agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, agents and employees and each person, if any, controlling Morgan Stanley or any of its affiliates against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, related to or arising out of Morgan Stanley's engagement.
Opinions of Corn Products' Financial Advisors
Opinion of Lazard
Lazard acted as Corn Products' financial advisor in connection with the merger. In connection with Lazard's engagement, the Corn Products board of directors requested that Lazard evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Corn Products stockholders of the merger consideration. On June 21, 2008, at a meeting of the Corn Products board of directors, Lazard rendered to the Corn Products board of directors an oral opinion, which opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated June 21, 2008, to the effect that, as of the date of its opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration to be paid to Corn Products stockholders in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such stockholders.
The full text of Lazard's written opinion, dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered, and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Lazard in connection with its opinion is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D and is incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. The description of Lazard's opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified by reference to the full text of Lazard's written opinion attached as Annex D to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read Lazard's opinion and this section carefully and in their entirety.
In connection with its opinion, Lazard:
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Lazard assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information, without independent verification of such information. Lazard did not conduct any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Corn Products or Bunge or concerning the solvency or fair value of Corn Products or Bunge, and was not furnished with such valuation or appraisal. With respect to the financial forecasts and anticipated synergies referred to above provided by Corn Products, Lazard assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Corn Products as to the future financial performance of Corn Products and the combined company. With respect to the publicly available financial forecasts referred to above relating to Bunge, Lazard was advised by Bunge and assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, that they were a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the future financial performance of Bunge, and were appropriate for Lazard to utilize in its analyses. Lazard assumed no responsibility for and expressed no view as to such forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. In addition, Lazard expressed no view as to the timing with respect to, or value of the ultimate award, if any, with respect to, outcome or settlement of, the dispute pending between Corn Products and the government of Mexico and at Corn Products' direction did not include it in its valuation of Corn Products.
Further, Lazard's opinion was necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of, the date of its opinion. Lazard assumes no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date thereof. Lazard expressed no opinion as to the prices at which shares of Corn Products common stock or Bunge common shares would trade at any time subsequent to the announcement of the merger.
In rendering its opinion, Lazard assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, that the merger will be consummated on the terms described in the draft of the merger agreement dated June 20, 2008, without any waiver or modification of any material terms or conditions. Representatives of Corn Products advised Lazard, and Lazard assumed, that the merger agreement, when executed, would conform to the draft reviewed by Lazard in all material respects. Lazard also assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, that obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals and consents for the merger would not have an adverse effect on Corn Products, Bunge or the combined company. Lazard further assumed that the merger would qualify for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Lazard did not express any opinion as to any tax or other consequences that might result from the merger, nor did its opinion address any legal, tax, regulatory or accounting matters, as to which Lazard understands that Corn Products obtained such advice as it deemed necessary from qualified professionals. Lazard expressed no view or opinion as to any terms or other aspects of the merger (other than the merger consideration to the extent expressly specified in its opinion). In addition, Lazard expressed no view or opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of, or any other aspects relating to, the compensation to any officers, directors or
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employees of any parties to the merger, or class of such persons, relative to the merger consideration or otherwise.
In rendering its opinion, Lazard was not authorized to, and it did not, solicit indications of interest from third parties regarding a potential transaction with Corn Products, nor was Lazard requested to consider, and its opinion does not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other transaction or business strategy in which Corn Products might engage or the merits of the underlying decision by Corn Products to engage in the merger.
Lazard's engagement and its opinion were for the benefit of the Corn Products board of directors and its opinion is rendered to the Corn Products board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the merger. Lazard's opinion is not intended to and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act with respect to the merger or any matter relating thereto.
The following is a brief summary of the material financial analyses and reviews that Lazard deemed appropriate in connection with rendering its opinion. The brief summary of Lazard's analyses and reviews provided below is not a complete description of the analyses and reviews underlying Lazard's opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of analysis and review and the application of those methods to particular circumstances, and, therefore, is not readily susceptible to summary description. Considering selected portions of the analyses and reviews or the summary set forth below, without considering the analyses and reviews as a whole, could create an incomplete or misleading view of the analyses and reviews underlying Lazard's opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, Lazard considered the results of all of its analyses and reviews and did not attribute any particular weight to any factor, analysis or review considered by it; rather, Lazard made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of its analyses and reviews.
For purposes of its analyses and reviews, Lazard considered industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Corn Products and Bunge. No company, business or transaction used in Lazard's analyses and reviews as a comparison is identical to Corn Products, Bunge or the merger, and an evaluation of the results of those analyses and reviews is not entirely mathematical. Rather, the analyses and reviews involve complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies, businesses or transactions used in Lazard's analyses and reviews. The estimates contained in Lazard's analyses and reviews and the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or review are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by Lazard's analyses and reviews. In addition, analyses and reviews relating to the value of companies, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which companies, businesses or securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, the estimates used in, and the results derived from, Lazard's analyses and reviews are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.
The summary of the analyses and reviews provided below includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand Lazard's analyses and reviews, the tables must be read together with the full text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of Lazard's analyses and reviews. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full description of the analyses and reviews, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses and reviews, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Lazard's analyses and reviews.
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Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data as it existed on or before June 21, 2008 and is not necessarily indicative of current market conditions.
Corn Products Comparable Public Companies Analysis
Lazard reviewed and analyzed selected public companies that it viewed as operating businesses reasonably comparable to that of Corn Products, namely mid- and large-cap companies participating in the global agriculture processing industry. Lazard selected these companies on the basis of similarity of the companies' products, size, scale, market capitalization, growth prospects, geographic presence and end markets to those of Corn Products. In performing this analysis, Lazard reviewed and analyzed certain financial information, valuation multiples and market trading data relating to the selected comparable companies and compared such information to the corresponding information for Corn Products' business. This analysis was designed to assess how the market values shares of reasonably comparable publicly traded companies and provide a range of implied equity values per share of Corn Products common stock.
Lazard compared Corn Products' business to the following three companies:
For each of these companies, Lazard calculated enterprise value as a multiple of projected 2008 EBITDA and price as a multiple of projected 2008 earnings per share using equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008. As used in this analysis, EBITDA means net earnings (loss) before interest expense (income), income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation, amortization and depletion expense and is before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, if applicable. The following table summarizes the results of this review:
|
Multiple of Enterprise Value Projected 2008 EBITDA |
Multiple of Price to Projected 2008 EPS |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archer Daniels Midland Company | 7.8 | x | 10.7 | x | |
Bunge Limited | 9.4 | x | 15.6 | x | |
Tate & Lyle PLC | 6.4 | x | 9.7 | x |
Lazard then calculated implied per share equity values for Corn Products common stock by applying EBITDA multiples ranging from 7.0x to 9.0x to Corn Products' base case projected 2008 EBITDA. Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Corn Products common stock of $41.73 to $54.75. Lazard also calculated implied per share equity values for Corn Products common stock by applying PE multiples ranging from 12.0x to 16.0x to Corn Products' base case projected 2008 EPS. Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Corn Products common stock of $36.12 to $48.16. Lazard noted that the per share merger consideration of $56.00 (based on the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008) was above both of the ranges described above.
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Precedent Merger Transactions Analysis
Lazard also performed a precedent merger transaction analysis, which was designed to provide a valuation of Corn Products based on publicly available financial terms of selected transactions in the starch and food ingredients industry with transaction values greater than $50 million. Lazard selected merger transactions involving companies in the starch industry since 1988, as well as additional merger transactions involving companies in the food ingredients industry since 1994, on the basis of similarity of the targets' products, size, scale, growth prospects, geographic presence and end markets to those of Corn Products in order to obtain a broad set of meaningful and relevant transactions to benchmark. The precedent transactions selected by Lazard were (listed by date publicly announced followed by the acquiror and the target company):
Date Publicly Announced |
Acquiror |
Target |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Starch Transactions | ||||
7/11/02 | Archer Daniels Midland | Minnesota Corn Processors | ||
10/30/01 | Cargill | Cerestar | ||
8/29/00 | Penford | Starch Australasia | ||
3/1/99 | Danisco | Cultor | ||
10/21/98 | Corn Products | Aracorn | ||
9/1/95 | Eridana Beghin-Say | American Maize | ||
9/9/92 | American Maize | American Fructose | ||
4/8/88 | Tate & Lyle | Staley Continental | ||
Food Ingredients Transactions |
||||
5/3/07 | Firmenich | DaniscoFlavors | ||
4/29/05 | PAI Partners | Chr. HansenIngredients | ||
4/13/05 | Gilde Investment Management | DSMBakery Ingredients | ||
1/27/05 | Danisco | Genencor | ||
7/26/04 | JM Huber | CP Kelco | ||
7/22/04 | Associated British Foods | Burns, PhilpHerbs/Spices/Yeast | ||
4/2/04 | Electra | Diana Ingredients | ||
3/2/04 | Kerry Group | QuestFood Ingredients | ||
2/13/04 | Danisco | RhodiaFood Ingredients | ||
9/3/02 | DSM | RocheVitamins | ||
9/12/01 | Permira/GS Capital Partners | Cognis | ||
8/15/01 | Danisco | Germantown | ||
9/25/00 | IFF | BBA | ||
2/23/98 | DSM | Gist-Procades | ||
2/1/96 | Danisco | Pfizer Food Service | ||
12/20/94 | Monsanto | CP Kelco |
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For each selected comparable transaction, Lazard calculated the multiple of total transaction value to EBITDA of the acquired business for the latest 12-month period preceding the acquisition announcement. The following table summarizes the results of this review:
|
TV as a Multiple of LTM EBITDA |
||
---|---|---|---|
Starch Transactions (1988 June 2008) | |||
Mean | 7.6 | x | |
Median | 8.3 | x | |
High | 9.8 | x | |
Low | 4.2 | x | |
Starch & Food Ingredients Transactions (1994 June 2008) |
|||
Mean | 9.7 | x | |
Median | 8.5 | x | |
High | 17.3 | x | |
Low | 5.1 | x |
Lazard then calculated implied per share equity values for Corn Products common stock by applying EBITDA multiples ranging from 8.0x to 9.5x to Corn Products' latest 12-month EBITDA. Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Corn Products common stock of $45.61 to $54.88. Lazard noted that the per share merger consideration of $56.00 (based on the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008) was above this range.
Corn Products Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Using the Corn Products financial projections, Lazard performed a discounted cash flow analysis, which was designed to provide insight into the value of Corn Products as a function of their future unlevered free cash flows. "Present value" refers to the current value of future cash flows and is obtained by discounting those future cash flows or amounts by a discount rate, as described below. Other financial terms used below are "projected unlevered free cash flows" and "terminal value". "Projected unlevered free cash flows" refer to a calculation of the future cash flows of an asset without including in such calculation any debt servicing costs. "Terminal value" refers to the estimated capitalized value of all future cash flows from an asset at a particular point in time.
Lazard calculated the net present value of Corn Product's projected unlevered free cash flows for 2008 to 2012 and added to this amount the present value of the terminal value in 2012.
This analysis assumed a range of perpetual growth rates of 2.25% to 2.75%. It also assumed a range of discount rates of 8.25% to 8.75% based on estimates relating to Corn Products' weighted average cost of capital. Corn Products' "weighted average cost of capital" is a measure of the average expected return on all of Corn Products' securities or loans based on the proportions of those securities or loans in Corn Products' capital structure.
Based on these calculations, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Corn Products common stock of $47.52 to $55.97 assuming Corn Products' base case projections, and $50.09 to $60.48 assuming Corn Products' capital investment case projections. Lazard noted that the per share merger consideration of $56.00 (based on the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008) was above or within the ranges described above.
Other Corn Products Analysis
Present Value of Analyst Target Prices Range
Lazard summarized for the Corn Products board of directors the present value of Wall Street analysts' price targets for Corn Products common stock, assuming a 10% cost of equity. Based on the
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foregoing, Lazard calculated an implied price per share range for Corn Products common stock of $43.64 to $49.09. Lazard noted that the per share merger consideration of $56.00 (based on the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008) was above this range.
52-Week Trading Range
Lazard also summarized for the Corn Products board of directors the 52-week trading range of Corn Products common stock. The 52-week low price of Corn Products common stock was $31.42, occurring on January 22, 2008, and the 52-week high price of Corn Product common stock was $49.30, occurring on October 9, 2007. Lazard noted that the per share merger consideration of $56.00 (based on the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008) was above this range.
Bunge Comparable Public Companies Analysis
Lazard reviewed and analyzed selected public companies that it viewed as operating businesses reasonably comparable to Bunge's businesses, namely mid- and large-cap companies participating in the global and emerging markets agriculture processing industry. Lazard selected these companies on the basis of similarity of the companies' products, size, scale, market capitalization, growth prospects, geographic presence and end markets to those of Bunge. In performing this analysis, Lazard reviewed and analyzed certain financial information, valuation multiples and market trading data relating to the selected comparable companies and compared such information to the corresponding information for Bunge's business. This analysis was designed to assess how the market values shares of reasonably comparable publicly traded companies and provides a range of implied equity values per share of Bunge common shares.
Lazard compared Bunge's business to the following four companies:
For each of these companies, Lazard calculated enterprise value as a multiple of projected 2008 EBITDA using equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008. The following table summarizes the results of this review:
|
Multiple of Enterprise Value to Projected 2008 EBITDA |
|
---|---|---|
Archer Daniels Midland Company | 7.8x | |
China Agri-Industries Holdings, Ltd. | 9.4x | |
Cosan S. A. Indústria e Comércio | 13.7x | |
Wilmar International Limited | 15.0x |
Lazard then calculated implied per share equity values for Bunge common shares by applying EBITDA multiples ranging from 9.0x to 10.0x to the 2008 EBITDA forecast for Bunge (such forecast was based on equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008 and discussions with Bunge management and was reviewed and deemed reasonable by Corn Products management). Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Bunge common shares of $115.97 to $132.34. Lazard noted that the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008 was within this range.
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Bunge Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis
A sum-of-the-parts analysis reviews a business' operating performance and outlook on a segment-by-segment basis and compares each segment's performance to a group of publicly traded peer companies to determine an implied market value for the enterprise as a whole. Lazard performed a sum-of-the-parts analysis for the following operating segments of Bunge:
Lazard reviewed and analyzed selected public companies that it viewed as operating businesses reasonably comparable to Bunge's operating segments, namely mid- and large-cap companies participating in the global and emerging markets agriculture processing industry, phosphate fertilizer industry and edible oils industry. Lazard selected these companies on the basis of similarity of the companies' products, size, scale, market capitalization, growth prospects, geographic presence and end markets to those of Bunge's operating segments. In performing this analysis, Lazard reviewed and analyzed certain financial information, valuation multiples and market trading data relating to the selected comparable companies and compared such information to the corresponding information for Bunge's operating segments.
The following table indicates the companies reviewed by Lazard in each of these segments:
Agribusiness |
Fertilizer |
Food Products |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Archer Daniels Midland Company | Agrium Inc. | Associated British Foods plc | ||
China Agri-Industries Holdings, Ltd. | Mosaic Company | ConAgra Foods, Inc. | ||
Cosan S. A. Indústria e Comércio | Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. | General Mills Inc. | ||
Wilmar International Limited | The J.M. Smucker Company |
For each of these companies, Lazard calculated enterprise value as a multiple of projected 2008 EBITDA using equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008. The following table summarizes the results of this review:
|
Multiple of Enterprise Value to Projected 2008 EBITDA (Median) |
||
---|---|---|---|
Agribusiness | 11.6 | x | |
Fertilizer | 11.4 | x | |
Food Products | 8.3 | x |
Based on the foregoing, Lazard applied EBITDA multiple ranges of 7.5x to 9.5x, 9.5x to 12.0x and 8.0x to 9.0x to the 2008 EBITDA forecast for Bunge's Agribusiness, Fertilizer and Food Products segments, respectively (such forecasts were based on equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008 and discussions with Bunge management and were reviewed and deemed reasonable by Corn Products management). Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated an implied range for Bunge common shares of $104.52 to $139.12. Lazard noted that the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008 was within this range.
Bunge Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
Using financial forecasts for Bunge, Lazard performed a discounted cash flow analysis, which was designed to provide insight into the value of Bunge as a function of its future unlevered free cash flows. Lazard calculated the net present value of the unlevered free cash flow forecast for 2008 to 2012 and added to this amount the present value of the terminal value in 2012.
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This analysis assumed a range of perpetual growth rates of 2.75% to 3.25%. It also assumed a range of discount rates of 7.75% to 8.25% based on estimates relating to Bunge's weighted average cost of capital. Bunge's "weighted average cost of capital" is a measure of the average expected return on all of Bunge's securities or loans based on the proportions of those securities or loans in Bunge's capital structure.
Based on these calculations, Lazard calculated an implied equity value range per share of Bunge common shares of $109.74 to $141.81 assuming a base case forecast for Bunge and $95.16 to $124.60 assuming a downside case forecast for Bunge. Both the base case forecast and the downside case forecast were based on publicly available financial information, equity analyst research reports as of June 20, 2008 and discussions with Bunge management and were reviewed and deemed reasonable by Corn Products management. Lazard noted that the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008, was within the ranges described above.
Other Bunge Analysis
Present Value of Analyst Target Prices Range
Lazard summarized for the Corn Products board of directors the present value of Wall Street analysts' price targets of Bunge common shares, assuming a 9.5% cost of equity. Based on the foregoing, Lazard calculated an implied price per share range for Bunge common shares of $114.15 to $138.81. Lazard noted that the closing price of Bunge common shares on June 20, 2008, was within this range.
52-Week Trading Range
Lazard also summarized for the Corn Products board of directors the 52-week trading range of Bunge common shares. The 52-week low price of Bunge common shares was $73.00, occurring on June 7, 2007, and the 52-week high price of Bunge common shares was $135.00, occurring on January 14, 2008.
Lazard's Fee; General Matters
Lazard is acting as financial advisor to Corn Products in connection with the merger. Pursuant to an engagement letter dated April 24, 2008, Corn Products agreed to pay Lazard $500,000 upon execution of the letter, $2 million upon rendering its opinion of June 21, 2008 and, if the merger is consummated, a fee of 0.35% of the aggregate consideration, as customarily defined, to be paid in the merger. The payment paid to Lazard in connection with the execution of the engagement letter was credited against the fee paid to Lazard in connection with the delivery of its opinion and the fee paid to Lazard in connection with the delivery of its opinion will be credited against the fee, if any, payable to Lazard upon consummation of the merger. Taking such credits into account, the aggregate fee payable to Lazard upon consummation of the merger was estimated, for illustrative purposes only, to be approximately $9.9 million based on an implied $3.4 billion transaction value as of September 10, 2008. The actual amount of the aggregate fee will be calculated based on the market value of the merger consideration on the date the fee is paid. Corn Products also has agreed to reimburse Lazard for its reasonable expenses, including the expenses of legal counsel, and to indemnify Lazard and related parties against liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising out of its engagement.
Lazard, as part of its investment banking business, is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, leveraged buyouts, and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. Lazard in the past has provided investment banking services to Corn Products and certain of its affiliates, for which Lazard has received customary compensation, and Lazard in the future may provide investment banking services to Corn Products and
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Bunge and certain of their affiliates, for which Lazard would expect to receive customary compensation. In addition, in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, affiliates of Lazard and LFCM Holdings LLC (an entity indirectly owned in large part by managing directors of Lazard) may actively trade securities of Corn Products and/or the securities of Bunge and certain of their respective affiliates for their own accounts and for the accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. The issuance of Lazard's opinion was approved by the opinion committee of Lazard.
Lazard is an internationally recognized investment banking firm providing a full range of financial advisory and other services. Lazard was selected to act as financial advisor to Corn Products because of its qualifications, expertise and reputation in investment banking and mergers and acquisitions, as well as its familiarity with the business of Corn Products.
Corn Products and Bunge determined the merger consideration to be paid to the holders of Corn Products common stock in the merger through arm's-length negotiations, and the Corn Products board of directors approved the merger agreement. Lazard conducted the analyses and reviews summarized above for the purpose of providing an opinion to the Corn Products board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Corn Products common stock of the merger consideration to be paid to such holders in the merger. Lazard did not recommend any specific consideration to the Corn Products board of directors or any other person or indicate that any given consideration constituted the only appropriate consideration for the merger.
Lazard's opinion was one of many factors considered by the Corn Products board of directors. Consequently, the summary of the analyses and reviews provided above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the Corn Products board of directors with respect to the merger consideration or of whether the Corn Products board of directors would have been willing to recommend a different transaction or determine that a different merger consideration was fair. Additionally, Lazard's opinion is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any employee or creditor of Corn Products.
Opinion of JPMorgan
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated June 18, 2008, Corn Products retained JPMorgan as its financial advisor for the purpose of rendering a fairness opinion to the Corn Products board of directors in connection with the merger.
At the meeting of the Corn Products board of directors on June 21, 2008, JPMorgan rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing on June 21, 2008, to the Corn Products board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the exchange ratio in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to holders of Corn Products common stock.
The full text of the written opinion of JPMorgan dated June 21, 2008, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the opinion undertaken by JPMorgan in connection with rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex E to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of JPMorgan's opinion below is qualified by reference to the full text of the opinion, and the Corn Products stockholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. JPMorgan provided its opinion to the Corn Products board of directors in connection with and for the purposes of the Corn Products board of directors' evaluation of the merger. JPMorgan's opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote with respect to any matter and should not be relied upon by any stockholder as such.
In arriving at is final opinion, JPMorgan, among other things:
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In addition, JPMorgan held discussions with certain members of the management of Corn Products and Bunge with respect to certain aspects of the merger, and the past and current business operations of Corn Products and Bunge, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of Corn Products and Bunge, the effects of the merger on the financial condition and future prospects of Corn Products and Bunge, and certain other matters it believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.
In giving its opinion, JPMorgan relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to or discussed with it by Corn Products and Bunge or otherwise reviewed by or for it, and JPMorgan did not independently verify (nor has it assumed responsibility or liability for independently verifying) any such information or its accuracy or completeness. JPMorgan did not conduct and was not provided with any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, nor did it evaluate the solvency of Corn Products or Bunge under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to it by Corn Products or derived therefrom, JPMorgan assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, that they were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by management as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of Corn Products to which such analyses or forecasts relate. With respect to the publicly available financial forecasts relating to Bunge, JPMorgan assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, and was advised by Bunge that such forecasts were a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the future financial performance of Bunge and were appropriate to use in JPMorgan's analysis. JPMorgan expressed no view as to such analyses or forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. JPMorgan also assumed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes, and will be consummated as described in the merger agreement. JPMorgan also assumed that the representations and warranties made by Corn Products and Bunge in the merger agreement were and will be true and correct in all respects material to its analysis, and that Corn Products will have no exposure under any indemnification obligations contained within the merger agreement in any amount material to its analysis. JPMorgan is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and relied on the assessments made by advisors to Corn Products with respect to such issues. JPMorgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger will be obtained without any adverse effect on Corn Products or Bunge or on the contemplated benefits of the merger.
JPMorgan's opinion was necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of, the date of the opinion. It should be understood that subsequent developments may affect the opinion and that JPMorgan does not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm its opinion. JPMorgan's opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Corn Products common stock of the exchange ratio in the merger and it expresses no opinion as to the fairness of the merger to, or any consideration to be received by, the
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holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Corn Products or as to the underlying decision by Corn Products to engage in the merger. Furthermore, JPMorgan expressed no opinion with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or employees of any party to the merger, or any class of such persons relative to the exchange ratio applicable to the holders of Corn Products common stock in the merger or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation. JPMorgan expressed no opinion as to the price at which Corn Products common stock or Bunge common shares will trade at any future time.
In addition, JPMorgan was not requested to and did not provide advice concerning the structure, the specific exchange ratio, or any other aspects of the merger, or to provide services other than the delivery of its opinion. JPMorgan was not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of Corn Products or any other alternative transaction. JPMorgan did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the merger or any related transactions.
Financial Analyses of JPMorgan
In accordance with customary investment banking practice, JPMorgan employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses used by JPMorgan in connection with providing its opinion.
Projections. The projections furnished to JPMorgan for Corn Products were prepared by the management of Corn Products. Corn Products does not publicly disclose internal management projections of the type provided to JPMorgan in connection with JPMorgan's analysis of the merger, and such projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. These projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of management, including, without limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive conditions and prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those set forth in such projections.
Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis. JPMorgan reviewed the per share daily closing market price of Bunge common shares and Corn Products common stock over the previous three years, and calculated the implied historical exchange ratios during this period by dividing the daily closing prices per share of Corn Products common stock by those of Bunge common shares and the average of those implied historical exchange ratios for the one-day, one-week, one-month, three-month, six-month and one-year periods ending June 17, 2008. The analysis resulted in the following average implied exchange ratios for the periods indicated (rounded to the nearest hundredth):
|
Average exchange ratio |
Implied offer price |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current | 0.3349 | $ | 41.10 | ||
One-week | 0.3560 | $ | 43.70 | ||
One-month | 0.4720 | $ | 57.94 | ||
Three-month | 0.3864 | $ | 47.42 | ||
Six-month | 0.3636 | $ | 44.63 | ||
One-year | 0.4022 | $ | 49.37 |
JPMorgan noted that a historical stock trading analysis is not a valuation methodology and that such analysis was presented merely for informational purposes.
Company Public Trading Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, JPMorgan compared selected financial and operating data of Corn Products and Bunge with similar data for selected publicly traded companies engaged in businesses which JPMorgan judged to be relevant to the businesses of Corn Products and Bunge. These companies were selected, among other reasons, for their
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size, target market, business focus and performance. None of the companies utilized in the analysis, however, is identical to Corn Products or Bunge. Accordingly, JPMorgan made judgments and assumptions concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the selected companies and other factors that could affect their public trading value.
For each of the selected companies, JPMorgan calculated Firm Value divided by the estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, for the calendar year ending December 31, 2008, which is referred to as Firm Value/EBITDA Multiple. For this analysis, Firm Value of a particular company was calculated as market value of that company's common stock or common shares, as applicable (as of June 17, 2008), plus the value of that company's indebtedness, capital leases, minority interest and preferred stock, minus that company's cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities.
The companies selected by JPMorgan for comparison with Corn Products included: Archer Daniels Midland Inc., Bunge, Associated British Foods, Kerry Group, Tate & Lyle and Viterra. However, none of the companies selected is identical or directly comparable to Corn Products. Accordingly, JPMorgan made judgments and assumptions concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the selected companies and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the selected companies.
The following table reflects the ratios, Firm Value and public market multiples for each of the selected companies reviewed by JPMorgan for comparison with Corn Products:
Company |
Market Price 6/17/08 |
% of 52-week high |
Firm Value ($ millions) |
Firm Value/ 2008E EBITDA Multiple |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archer Daniels Midland | $ | 33.12 | 67.7 | % | $ | 28,622 | 7.8 | x | |||
Bunge | $ | 122.74 | 90.9 | % | $ | 23,572 | 10.8 | x | |||
Associated British Foods | $ | 16.05 | 86.7 | % | $ | 14,847 | 8.4 | x | |||
Kerry Group | $ | 29.94 | 83.6 | % | $ | 7,094 | 8.6 | x | |||
Tate & Lyle | $ | 8.29 | 70.0 | % | $ | 5,880 | 6.9 | x | |||
Viterra | $ | 14.46 | 96.9 | % | $ | 3,804 | 10.0 | x |
The companies selected by JPMorgan for comparison with Bunge included companies in three sectors in which Bunge operates: Agricultural Processing, Ingredients and Fertilizer. In Agricultural Processing, JPMorgan selected for comparison: Archer Daniels Midland Inc., Corn Products and Viterra. In Ingredients, JPMorgan selected for comparison: Associated British Foods, Kerry Group and Tate & Lyle. In Fertilizer, JPMorgan selected for comparison: Potash Corp, Mosaic, Israel Chemicals, Yara International and Agrium. However, none of the companies selected is identical or directly comparable to Bunge. Accordingly, JPMorgan made judgments and assumptions concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the selected companies and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the selected companies.
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The following table reflects the ratios, Firm Value and public market multiples for each of the selected companies reviewed by JPMorgan for comparison with Bunge:
Company |
Market Price 6/17/08 |
% of 52-week high |
Firm Value ($ millions) |
Firm Value/ 2008E EBITDA Multiple |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Processing: | |||||||||||
Archer Daniels Midland | $ | 33.12 | 67.7 | % | $ | 28,622 | 7.8 | x | |||
Corn Products | $ | 41.10 | 83.4 | % | $ | 3,560 | 6.6 | x | |||
Viterra | $ | 14.46 | 96.9 | % | $ | 3,804 | 10.0 | x | |||
Ingredients: |
|||||||||||
Associated British Foods | $ | 16.05 | 86.7 | % | $ | 14,847 | 8.4 | x | |||
Kerry Group | $ | 29.94 | 83.6 | % | $ | 7,094 | 8.6 | x | |||
Tate & Lyle | $ | 8.29 | 70.0 | % | $ | 5,880 | 6.9 | x | |||
Fertilizer: |
|||||||||||
Potash Corp | $ | 239.50 | 99.8 | % | $ | 72,115 | 13.3 | x | |||
Mosaic | $ | 161.08 | 99.9 | % | $ | 72,983 | 13.6 | x | |||
Israel Chemicals | $ | 23.46 | 99.6 | % | $ | 31,412 | 10.5 | x | |||
Yara International | $ | 87.95 | 99.6 | % | $ | 27,204 | 9.5 | x | |||
Agrium | $ | 110.99 | 99.7 | % | $ | 17,354 | 9.7 | x |
Based on the results of this analysis, JPMorgan implied a range for Corn Products of 7.0x to 8.5x Firm Value/EBITDA Multiples, which using Corn Products estimates for calendar 2008 EBITDA, implied a range for Corn Products common stock of $40.00 to $50.00 per share. Additionally, based on the same analysis, JPMorgan implied a range for Bunge of 8.5x to 10.5x Firm Value/EBITDA Multiples, which using Bunge estimates for calendar 2008 EBITDA, implied a range for Bunge common shares of $108.00 to $140.00 per share. Based on the results of this analysis, JPMorgan implied an exchange ratio of 0.29 to 0.47 Bunge common shares per share of Corn Products common stock.
Selected Transaction Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, JPMorgan examined the following selected transactions which together were considered the most relevant transactions for purposes of JPMorgan's analysis:
Date Announced |
Acquiror |
Target |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
February 14, 2007 | American Sugar Refining | Tate & Lyle Canada Ltd. | ||
November 7, 2006 |
Viterra |
Agricore |
||
September 9, 2005 |
Cargill |
Degussa |
||
April 29, 2005 |
PAI Partners |
Christian Hansen Food Ingredients |
||
May 10, 2004 |
Kerry Group |
Four flavor businesses; Manheimer Inc., Flavourence, Laboratorios Krauss and Fructamine |
||
March 2, 2004 |
Kerry Group |
Quest International's food ingredients business |
These transactions were deemed to be most relevant in evaluating the merger in JPMorgan's judgment based on a variety of factors including, among other things, the transaction date, transaction
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size, transaction terms, target geographic location and target operational characteristics and asset mix. For each of the selected transactions, JPMorgan calculated and, to the extent information was publicly available, compared the transaction's firm value as a multiple of the target's last 12 months' EBITDA. JPMorgan then calculated the target's equity value per share. The Agricore acquisition by Viterra was deemed to be the most relevant of the selected transactions.
JPMorgan applied a range of multiples derived from such analysis to Corn Products' last 12 months' EBITDA, and arrived at an implied range of equity values for the shares of Corn Products common stock between $51.00 and $57.00 per share.
Relative Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. JPMorgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for each of Bunge and Corn Products for the purpose of determining their respective fully diluted equity value per share on a stand-alone basis.
JPMorgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that Bunge and Corn Products are expected to generate during fiscal years 2008 through 2017 based on financial projections prepared by the management of Corn Products, and, for Bunge, based on publicly available financial forecasts, which JPMorgan has assumed, with the consent of Corn Products, and have been advised by Bunge that such forecasts are a reasonable basis upon which to evaluate the future financial performance of Bunge and are appropriate to use in JPMorgan's analysis. JPMorgan also calculated a range of terminal asset values of Corn Products at the end of the 10-year period ending the fiscal year ended December 2017 by applying a perpetual growth rate ranging from two percent to three percent of the unlevered free cash flow of Corn Products during the final year of the 10-year period. The unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal asset values were then discounted to present values using a range of discount rates from 8.5% to 9.5% for Bunge and a range of discount rates from 8.0% to 9.0% for Corn Products.
This analysis indicated a range of equity values for Corn Products common stock between $50.00 and $69.00 per share and a range of equity values for Bunge common shares between $106.00 and $154.00 per share. Based on the results of this analysis, JPMorgan implied an exchange ratio of 0.33 to 0.65 Bunge common shares per share of Corn Products common stock.
The foregoing summary of certain material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by JPMorgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. JPMorgan believes that the foregoing summary and its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the foregoing summary and these analyses, without considering all of its analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses and its opinion. In arriving at its opinion, JPMorgan did not attribute any particular weight to any analyses or factors considered by it and did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative), considered in isolation, supported or failed to support its opinion. Rather, JPMorgan considered the totality of the factors and analyses performed in determining its opinion. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are inherently uncertain, as they are subject to numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties and their advisors. Accordingly, forecasts and analyses used or made by JPMorgan are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses. Moreover, JPMorgan's analyses are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be bought or sold. None of the selected companies reviewed as described in the above summary is identical to Corn Products, and none of the selected transactions reviewed was identical to the merger. However, the companies selected were chosen because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of JPMorgan's analysis, may be considered similar to those of Corn Products. The transactions selected were similarly chosen because their participants, size and other factors, for purposes of JPMorgan's analysis, may be considered similar to those of the merger.
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The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the companies compared to Corn Products and the transactions compared to the merger.
JPMorgan's Fees; General Matters
As a part of its investment banking business, JPMorgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. JPMorgan was selected to deliver an opinion to the Corn Products board of directors with respect to the merger on the basis of such experience and its familiarity with Corn Products.
Pursuant to its engagement letter, JPMorgan received a fee for its services of $1.5 million from Corn Products payable upon the delivery of its opinion. Corn Products has also agreed to reimburse JPMorgan for its reasonable expenses, including the fees of legal counsel and other professional advisors. In addition, Corn Products has agreed to indemnify JPMorgan for certain liabilities arising out of its engagement. During the two years preceding the date of its opinion, JPMorgan and its affiliates have had commercial and investment banking relationships with Bunge, for which JPMorgan and its affiliates have received customary compensation. Such services during such period have included acting (i) as administrative agent in connection with Bunge's credit facilities in October 2007; (ii) as administrative agent in connection with Bunge's credit facility in September 2007; and (iii) as joint bookrunner on Bunge's offering of its debt securities in March 2007. JPMorgan and its affiliates in the future may have commercial or investment banking relationships with Bunge and Corn Products, for which JPMorgan and its affiliates would expect to receive customary compensation. In addition, JPMorgan's commercial banking affiliate is an agent bank and a lender under outstanding credit facilities of Bunge, for which it receives customary compensation or other financial benefits. In the ordinary course of its business, JPMorgan and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Corn Products or Bunge for its own account or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, it may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.
Interests of Corn Products Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
In considering the recommendation of the Corn Products board of directors with respect to the merger, Corn Products stockholders should be aware that the executive officers and non-employee directors of Corn Products have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Corn Products stockholders generally. The Corn Products board of directors was aware of the interests described below and considered them, among other matters, when approving the merger agreement and recommending that the Corn Products stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement. These interests are summarized below.
Stock Options and Other Stock-Based Awards
All outstanding options to purchase Corn Products common stock issued under the Corn Products stock incentive plan, including those held by executive officers, will become fully exercisable upon completion of the merger. All options currently held by Corn Products' non-employee directors are fully exercisable. Based upon options outstanding as of September 10, 2008, options held by the Corn Products executive officers relating to 382,670 shares of Corn Products common stock will vest and become immediately exercisable upon completion of the merger.
Also, all restrictions imposed on shares of restricted stock granted under the Corn Products stock incentive plan, including those held by the Corn Products executive officers and non-employee directors, will immediately lapse upon completion of the merger. Based upon grants outstanding as of
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September 10, 2008, the restrictions on shares of restricted stock held by the Corn Products executive officers and non-employee directors relating to 25,883 shares of Corn Products common stock will lapse upon completion of the merger. Of the 25,883 shares of restricted stock held by Corn Products' executive officers and non-employee directors, 6,216 shares of restricted stock are currently held by non-employee directors. Each of Richard Almeida, Luis Aranguren, Karen Hendricks, Bernard Kastory, Barbara Klein, William Norman, and James Ringler hold 888 shares of restricted stock that are subject to lapsing of restrictions upon completion of the merger.
In addition, all performance shares that are unvested and subject to the satisfaction of performance measures under the Corn Products stock incentive plan, including those held by executive officers of Corn Products, will immediately vest at their respective target levels upon completion of the merger. Based upon target awards outstanding as of September 10, 2008, 281,077 performance shares held by the Corn Products executive officers will vest upon completion of the merger. Additionally, Bunge has agreed to negotiate in good faith with Corn Products with a view to agreeing on a mechanism with respect to executive officers of Corn Products who hold performance shares relating to the 2006-2008 performance period and remain employees of Bunge or any of its subsidiaries following the completion of the merger and through the applicable payment date, so that such executive officers are not adversely affected from a financial viewpoint as a result of the completion of the merger, taking into consideration the actual performance of Corn Products and its subsidiaries during 2008.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding option to purchase Corn Products common stock existing at the time of the completion of the merger, including each stock option held by the Corn Products executive officers and non-employee directors, that is exercisable, or that becomes exercisable as described in this section, will be converted into an option to purchase the number of Bunge common shares equal to the number of shares subject to such Corn Products stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, and the exercise price per share will be an amount equal to the exercise price per share of such Corn Products stock option divided by the exchange ratio.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Corn Products restricted stock and each performance share that vests as described in this section, except performance shares subject to deferral elections, will be converted into a fraction of an unrestricted Bunge common share equal to the exchange ratio.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each stock unit subject to a deferral election, including each stock unit held by an executive officer or non-employee director under a Corn Products supplemental executive retirement plan, deferred compensation plan or deferred stock unit plan, each restricted stock unit held by a non-employee director and each performance share subject to a deferral election will be converted into a fraction of a Bunge stock unit equal to the exchange ratio upon completion of the merger. Corn Products executive officers do not hold restricted stock units and restricted stock units held by Corn Products' non-employee directors are fully vested and subject to deferral elections. All Corn Products stock units that are converted as described in this section will be paid in accordance with their related deferral elections, and all such stock units will be payable in Bunge common shares, except for stock units held under the Corn Products deferred stock unit plan, which will be paid in cash in accordance with the terms of such plan. As of September 10, 2008, 201,761 stock units held by the Corn Products executive officers and non-employee directors will be converted as described in this section upon completion of the merger.
Executive Severance Agreements
Each of the Corn Products executive officers is a party to an executive severance agreement that requires Corn Products to make certain payments and provide certain benefits if the executive officer's employment is terminated by Corn Products other than because of death, "Disability" or "Cause" or is terminated by the executive officer for "Good Reason" within two years after a change in control of Corn Products.
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Under the severance agreements a change in control results from any of the following:
For the purposes of the severance agreements:
Each severance agreement requires, as a precondition to the receipt of payments, that the executive officer sign a standard form of release in which he or she waives all claims that he or she might have against Corn Products and certain associated individuals and entities. They also include a prohibition on soliciting or recruiting any of the employees or consultants of Corn Products that would apply for one year following the executive officer's termination of employment (two years in the case of Mr. Scott) and confidentiality provisions that would apply for an unlimited period of time following the executive officer's termination of employment.
The severance agreements provide for the payment of salary and vacation pay accrued through the termination date, plus amounts under the annual incentive plan based on the assumption that the target awards were achieved, prorated for a partial year. The merger agreement provides for an adjustment in the payment of the prorated target awards under the annual incentive plan to reflect the actual performance of Corn Products. See "Corn Products Employee Benefits Matters". In addition, the executive officer would receive, as a severance payment, a lump sum amount equal to three times the sum of his or her (a) highest base salary in effect during any consecutive 12-month period within the 36 months immediately preceding the date of termination and (b) his or her target annual incentive plan payment for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs. Mr. Scott would not receive such
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lump sum amount because of his previously announced retirement and would receive in lieu thereof an amount equal to his base salary and his prorated target annual incentive plan payment from the date of his termination to the date on which he attains age 65. In addition, Mr. Fiamenghi's lump sum payment would be reduced by 40% of the sum of the balance of his Brazilian government-mandated FGTS account and previous distributions from that account.
The severance agreements provide for certain continued insurance and other benefits for a period of 36 months (if the executive officer is at least 62 years old, the Corn Products compensation committee has the discretion to provide such continued insurance and other benefits only until the executive officer attains age 65) and certain allowances for a period of three months, which include, based on current allowances, continued use of a leased car for three months.
The severance agreements also provide for the executive officer to receive three additional years of service credits under the Corn Products cash balance plan and under his or her nonqualified cash balance make-up account based on the executive officer's target total cash compensation (except that if the executive officer is at least 62 years old he or she will receive a pro rata amount of additional service credits based on the number of full months until the executive officer reaches age 65). All such additional years of service credits will be credited to the executive officer's nonqualified cash balance make-up account. In addition, the severance agreements provide for vesting of the executive officer's accounts under the cash balance plan and nonqualified cash balance make-up account, if they are not already vested.
The executive officer would also receive credits to his or her nonqualified savings plan make-up account equal to three years of employer matching contributions and profit sharing contributions to the executive officer's retirement savings plan and nonqualified savings plan make-up accounts (if the executive officer is at least 62 years old he or she will receive a pro rata amount of additional employer matching contributions and profit sharing contributions based on the number of full months until the executive officer reaches age 65). The severance agreements also provide for the vesting of the executive officer's accounts under the retirement savings plan and nonqualified savings plan make-up account, if they are not already vested.
The executive officer also would receive the cash value of his or her current retiree healthcare spending account and related dependent account under the Corn Products Master Retiree Welfare Plan (the Retiree Plan), plus the value of three additional years of company contributions to that account (if the executive officer is at least 62 years old he or she will receive a pro rata amount of additional company contributions based on the number of full months until the executive officer reaches age 65). The executive officer will be immediately vested in his or her retiree healthcare spending account and related dependent account under the Retiree Plan upon termination, and these accounts will be paid out in accordance with the terms of the Retiree Plan. In addition, the executive officer will upon termination be immediately eligible, and the executive officer and the executive officer's spouse shall remain eligible for their lifetimes, to participate in the benefits available to retirees under the Retiree Plan as of the date of the executive officer's termination of employment.
If the executive officer is a participant in the Corn Products executive life insurance plan on the date of his or her termination of employment, the executive officer's eligibility to participate in such plan with respect to an insurance policy shall continue, provided that during the 36-month period following termination of employment the executive officer will attain at least age 55 and would have completed, if the executive officer's termination of employment had not occurred, at least five policy years with respect to such insurance policy.
The executive officer also would receive executive-level outplacement services for a period of one year from the date of his or her termination of employment.
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The severance agreements also provide that Corn Products will reimburse any "golden parachute" excise tax paid by the executive officer as a result of payments under his or her severance agreement unless a less than 10% reduction in the payments would make the excise tax inapplicable, in which case the payments would be reduced by the least amount that would make the excise tax inapplicable. If Corn Products is barred from providing any of the benefits contemplated by the severance agreements, Corn Products is obligated to arrange to provide substantially similar benefits or the after-tax cash equivalent thereof.
To the extent payments may not be paid out of the qualified plans, such amounts will be paid out of the general assets of Corn Products. The merger agreement provides that, no earlier than August 5, 2008, Corn Products will deliver to the Corn Products executive benefit trust cash not to exceed $45 million and a number of shares of Corn Products common stock not to exceed 800,000 in order to fund all of the obligations of Corn Products pursuant to the plans under such trust relating to certain of the payments of cash and shares described in this section.
Estimated Payments upon the Merger and Subsequent Termination of Employment
The estimated amounts payable to each executive officer upon the merger and upon termination of the executive officer's employment, other than for death, Disability or Cause by Corn Products or its successor or by the executive officer for Good Reason, within two years following the completion of the merger in accordance with the terms of the severance agreements and the terms of the merger agreement are shown in the table below. The amounts assume that any such termination is effective as of October 31, 2008.
|
S.C. Scott |
C.K. Beebe |
J.L. Fiamenghi |
J.C. Fortnum |
J.J. Hirchak |
K.A. Hunter |
M.A. Hynes |
R.A. Kornmeyer |
J.F. Saucier |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash Severance | $ | 1,312,500 | (11) | $ | 2,493,750 | $ | 2,823,467 | (10) | $ | 2,415,000 | $ | 1,560,000 | $ | 1,118,400 | $ | 1,848,000 | $ | 1,296,000 | $ | 2,100,000 | |||||||
Pro Rata Bonus Payment(1) | $ | 1,041,667 | $ | 296,875 | $ | 389,809 | $ | 287,500 | $ | 162,500 | $ | 116,500 | $ | 192,500 | $ | 135,000 | $ | 250,000 | |||||||||
Early Vesting of Stock Options(2)(3) | $ | 502,240 | $ | 173,096 | $ | 135,181 | $ | 181,337 | $ | 59,599 | $ | 40,560 | $ | 94,985 | $ | 48,187 | $ | 117,385 | |||||||||
Early Vesting of Restricted Stock(2)(4) | | | | | | $ | 137,733 | $ | 300,480 | | $ | 300,480 | |||||||||||||||
Early Vesting of Performance Shares(2)(5) | $ | 3,868,680 | $ | 1,389,720 | $ | 1,096,752 | $ | 1,427,280 | $ | 492,036 | $ | 345,552 | $ | 734,073 | $ | 383,112 | $ | 820,047 | |||||||||
Retirement Benefit Payment(6) | $ | 447,227 | $ | 361,887 | | $ | 322,845 | $ | 279,577 | $ | 60,699 | $ | 122,834 | $ | 70,860 | $ | 131,528 | ||||||||||
Defined Contribution Plan Payments(7) | $ | 103,011 | $ | 201,795 | $ | 283,555 | $ | 202,290 | $ | 125,505 | $ | 41,400 | $ | 196,720 | $ | 41,400 | $ | 81,725 | |||||||||
Health and Welfare Benefit Values | $ | 5,865 | (12) | $ | 30,163 | $ | 38,773 | $ | 50,609 | $ | 47,315 | $ | 51,689 | $ | 6,043 | $ | 31,243 | $ | 48,395 | ||||||||
Post Retirement Medical Coverage(8) | $ | 3,140 | $ | 68,131 | | $ | 52,142 | $ | 82,981 | $ | 17,269 | $ | 8,679 | $ | 15,474 | $ | 8,676 | ||||||||||
Outplacement Services | | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 25,000 | ||||||||||
Personal Allowances | $ | 4,683 | $ | 3,207 | $ | 4,591 | $ | 3,604 | $ | 4,159 | $ | 3,671 | $ | 3,499 | $ | 3,517 | $ | 3,623 | |||||||||
Excise Tax and Gross Up | | $ | 2,046,753 | | $ | 2,002,835 | | $ | 698,612 | $ | 1,458,638 | $ | 772,144 | $ | 1,602,700 | ||||||||||||
Executive Life Insurance(9) | | $ | 64,717 | | $ | 158,098 | $ | 88,325 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
FGTS Payment(10) | | | $ | 450,932 | (10) | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 7,289,013 | $ | 7,155,094 | $ | 5,248,060 | $ | 7,128,540 | $ | 2,926,996 | $ | 2,657,085 | $ | 4,991,450 | $ | 2,821,937 | $ | 5,489,559 |
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Appointment of Samuel C. Scott III as a Director of Bunge
The merger agreement provides that, prior to the closing of the merger and effective as of the effective time of the merger, Bunge will appoint Samuel C. Scott III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Corn Products, to the class of directors of the Bunge board of directors with its term expiring at the 2011 annual general meeting of Bunge shareholders.
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Indemnification and Insurance
The merger agreement provides that the certificate of incorporation of Corn Products, as the surviving corporation in the merger, and each of its subsidiaries will contain provisions no less favorable with respect to indemnification, exculpation and advancement of expenses than are set forth in the current certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Corn Products or the applicable subsidiary, and that such provisions will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the completion of the merger in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of individuals who, at or at any time prior to the completion of the merger, were directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries or agents of Corn Products or the subsidiaries, unless such modification is required by law.
The merger agreement also provides that Corn Products will, and if Corn Products is unable to, Bunge will, cause Corn Products, as the surviving corporation in the merger, to obtain and fully pay the premium for the extension of the directors' and officers' insurance policies and the fiduciary liability insurance policies, in each case for at least six years from the completion of the merger on terms that are not, in the aggregate, less favorable than Corn Product's existing policies.
At the effective time of the merger, each share of Corn Products common stock (other than shares owned by Corn Products, Bunge or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bunge, including Bleecker Acquisition Corp.) will be converted into the right to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share determined by dividing $56.00 by the volume weighted average of the closing prices of a Bunge common share on the New York Stock Exchange for the 15 trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the date of the Corn Products special meeting. The market value of the Bunge common stock received in exchange for each share of Corn Products common stock may be greater or less than $56.00 because the trading price of Bunge common stock at the closing date of the merger or when the Bunge common stock is received by Corn Products stockholders may be different than the average closing price used to calculate the exchange ratio. In addition:
Each holder of Corn Products common stock who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fractional share interest to which that holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the average closing price.
The merger agreement provides that if, between the date of the merger agreement and the completion of the merger, there is a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Bunge common shares or Corn Products common stock), extraordinary cash dividends, subdivision, combination or exchange of shares with respect to, or rights issued in respect of, Bunge common shares then, in any such case, the per share merger consideration will be appropriately adjusted to reflect that action.
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Ownership of Bunge Following the Merger
Based on the number of outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock on June 19, 2008, the number of outstanding Bunge common shares on June 19, 2008 and assuming an exchange ratio of 0.5142, we anticipate that Corn Products stockholders will own approximately 25.20% of the outstanding Bunge common shares following the merger. Based on potential fluctuations in the exchange ratio, Corn Products stockholders may own as much as 25.20% or as little as 21.61% of the outstanding Bunge common shares following the merger.
Conversion of Shares; Procedures for Exchange of Certificates; Fractional Shares
The conversion of Corn Products common stock into the right to receive the per share merger consideration will occur automatically at the effective time of the merger. As promptly as practicable after the effective time of the merger, BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, Bunge's exchange agent and paying agent, will send a letter of transmittal to each former holder of record of shares of Corn Products common stock. The transmittal letter will contain instructions for obtaining the per share merger consideration, including the Bunge common shares and cash for any fractional Bunge common shares, in exchange for shares of Corn Products common stock. Corn Products stockholders should not return stock certificates with the enclosed proxy card.
After the effective time of the merger, each certificate that previously represented shares of Corn Products common stock will no longer be outstanding, will be automatically canceled and retired and will represent only the right to receive the per share merger consideration as described above.
Until holders of certificates previously representing Corn Products common stock have surrendered those certificates to the exchange agent for exchange, those holders will not receive dividends or distributions on the Bunge common shares into which those shares of Corn Products common stock have been converted with a record date after the effective time of the merger and will not receive cash for any fractional Bunge common shares. When holders surrender those certificates, they will receive any dividends with a record date after the effective time of the merger and a payment date on or prior to the date of surrender and any cash for fractional Bunge common shares, in each case without interest.
In the event of a transfer of ownership of Corn Products common stock that is not registered in the transfer agent's records of Corn Products, payment of the per share merger consideration as described above will be made to a person other than the person in whose name the certificate so surrendered is registered if:
No fractional Bunge common shares will be issued to any Corn Products stockholder upon surrender of certificates previously representing Corn Products common stock. Each Corn Products stockholder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a Bunge common share will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fractional share interest to which the holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the average closing price.
The merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of merger or certificate of ownership and merger (the certificate of merger) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or any later time as is agreed upon by Bunge and Corn Products and specified in the certificate of
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merger. The filing of the certificate of merger will occur as soon as practicable after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the completion of the merger described in the merger agreement.
Stock Exchange Listing of Bunge Common Shares
It is a condition to the completion of the merger that the Bunge common shares issuable to:
have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
Delisting and Deregistration of Corn Products Common Stock
If the merger is completed, Corn Products common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger and the Ownership of Bunge Common Shares Received by Corn Products Stockholders
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to Corn Products stockholders who exchange Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares pursuant to the merger and the subsequent ownership of the Bunge common shares received by Corn Products stockholders in the merger. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations, administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or differing interpretations. In addition, this discussion does not address any U.S. alternative minimum, estate or gift, U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax consequences of the merger or subsequent ownership of the Bunge common shares.
This discussion only addresses a beneficial owner of Corn Products common stock that holds Corn Products common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and exchanges Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares in the merger. In addition, this discussion only applies to an exchanging Corn Products stockholder that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust (x) that is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (y) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership, or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds Corn Products common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of that partnership. If a person is a partner of a partnership holding Corn Products common stock, such person should consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the merger.
This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular Corn Products stockholder in light of such stockholder's particular
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circumstances or to a Corn Products stockholder who is subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules, including:
Corn Products stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them of the merger and the subsequent ownership of Bunge common shares in light of their particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws.
Tax Status of the Merger
It is a condition to the completion of the merger that Bunge receive a written opinion from its tax counsel, Shearman & Sterling LLP, and that Corn Products receive a written opinion from its tax counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, in each case dated as of the effective time of the merger, to the effect that (i) the merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, (ii) each of Bunge, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. and Corn Products will be a party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code, and (iii) the exchange of Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares pursuant to the merger will be an exchange governed by Section 354 of the Code to which Section 367(a) of the Code does not apply. These opinions will be based on representation letters of Bunge and Corn Products to be provided prior to the delivery of the opinions and customary assumptions. Changes in the facts and circumstances arising after the date hereof could affect the ability of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Sidley Austin LLP to render these requisite opinions.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger and an opinion of tax counsel is not binding on the IRS or any court. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that the IRS will not take a position contrary to the conclusions of Shearman & Sterling LLP or Sidley Austin LLP or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS in the event of litigation.
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Tax Consequences of the Merger to Corn Products Stockholders
Assuming, based on the opinions of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Sidley Austin LLP, that the merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the exchange of Corn Products common stock for Bunge common shares pursuant to the merger will not be subject to Section 367(a) of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
If Corn Products stockholders acquired different blocks of Corn Products common stock at different times and at different prices, such Corn Products stockholders' adjusted tax basis and holding periods in their Bunge common shares may be determined with reference to each block of Corn Products common stock.
Corn Products stockholders who receive Bunge common shares pursuant to the merger will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger and certain Corn Products stockholders will be required to file with their U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the merger takes place a statement setting forth certain facts relating to the merger. Corn Products stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding such record retention and reporting requirements
Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. A Corn Products stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional Bunge common share generally will be treated as having received such fractional share in the merger and then as having received cash in exchange for such fractional share. Gain or loss generally will be recognized based on the difference between the amount of cash received in lieu of the fractional Bunge common share and the portion of such stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the Corn Products common stock that is allocable to such fractional Bunge common share. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, as of the effective time of the merger, the Corn Products stockholder's holding period for such fractional Bunge common share (which will include such stockholder's holding period for the Corn Products common stock exchanged in the merger) is greater than one year.
Treatment of Five Percent Transferee Shareholders. In accordance with Treasury regulations under Section 367(a) of the Code, a Corn Products stockholder who is a "five percent transferee shareholder" of Bunge after the merger will qualify for the non-recognition treatment described above only if the five percent transferee shareholder files a "gain recognition agreement" with the IRS. A five percent transferee shareholder who fails to file a gain recognition agreement with the IRS will not qualify for non-recognition treatment and will recognize gain (but not loss) in the merger in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Bunge common shares received in the merger (plus the amount of cash received in lieu of fractional Bunge common shares) and the five percent transferee shareholder's basis in its Corn Products common stock surrendered.
Any Corn Products stockholder who will be a five percent transferee shareholder is urged to consult with his or her own tax advisor concerning the decision to file a gain recognition agreement and the procedures to be followed in connection with such filing.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. A Corn Products stockholder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax (currently at a rate of 28%) on any cash payments received in lieu of a fractional Bunge common share. A Corn Products stockholder will not be subject to backup withholding, however, if such stockholder (i) furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding on the Substitute Form W-9 (or successor form) included in the letter of transmittal to be delivered to such stockholder following the completion of the merger, or (ii) is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against such Corn Products stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided such stockholder timely furnishes the required information to the IRS.
Tax Consequences of the Ownership of Bunge Common Shares Received in the Merger
The following discussion applies to the ownership of Bunge common shares that Corn Products stockholders receive in the merger. Except where expressly stated below, the following discussion assumes that Bunge is not a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Taxation of Distributions. The amount of any distribution made by Bunge in respect of Bunge common shares generally will be treated as a dividend, taxable as ordinary income (subject to certain exceptions discussed below), to the extent of the current or accumulated earnings and profits of Bunge, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Such a dividend generally will be income from sources outside the United States. Dividends paid by Bunge will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, and provided that Bunge is not a PFIC (as discussed below), dividends received by certain stockholders (including individuals) prior to January 1, 2011 with respect to Bunge common shares may qualify for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax provided that the Bunge common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Although the Bunge common shares are currently readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, no assurances can be made that the Bunge common shares will remain readily tradable. Corn Products stockholders who receive Bunge common shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax on dividends in light of their particular circumstances.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution received by a stockholder in respect of Bunge common shares exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of Bunge, the excess will first be treated as a tax-free return of a stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the Bunge common shares (with a corresponding reduction of such adjusted tax basis), and thereafter generally as U.S. source capital gain.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares. Subject to the PFIC discussion below, upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Bunge common shares, a stockholder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of property received in respect of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and such stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the Bunge common shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder's holding period for the Bunge common shares exceeds one year. Certain non-corporate stockholders (including individuals) are eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains under current law. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code. Any gain or loss recognized by a stockholder in respect of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Bunge common shares generally will be treated as derived from U.S. sources.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Status. Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to U.S. stockholders owning shares of a PFIC directly or indirectly. A non-U.S. corporation generally will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries, either:
For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the disposition of passive assets and gains from commodities transactions, other than gains derived from "qualified active sales" of commodities and "qualified hedging transactions" involving commodities, within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations (the Commodity Exception). For this purpose, Bunge will base the calculation of goodwill, in part, on the then market value of the outstanding Bunge common shares and any other outstanding Bunge shares, which is subject to change.
Based on certain estimates of Bunge's gross income and gross assets available as of December 31, 2007 and relying on the Commodity Exception, Bunge does not believe that it is currently classified as a PFIC. However, since PFIC status will be determined on an annual basis and depends upon the composition of Bunge's income and assets (including, among others, less than 25% owned equity investments), and the nature of Bunge's activities (including the ability of Bunge to qualify for the Commodity Exception and similar exceptions), from time to time, and since the manner in which the Commodity Exception should be applied is uncertain, there can be no assurance that Bunge will not be considered a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. Moreover, Bunge will not obtain an opinion of tax counsel, and no ruling will be sought from the IRS regarding the U.S. federal income tax characterization of Bunge as a PFIC.
If Bunge is or becomes a PFIC, unless a former Corn Products stockholder makes an election to treat Bunge as a "qualified electing fund" (a QEF) or elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to its Bunge common shares, any gain realized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Bunge common shares and certain "excess distributions" (generally distributions in excess of 125% of the average distribution over a three-year period or shorter holding period for the Bunge common shares) would be treated as realized ratably over such stockholder's holding period for its Bunge common shares, and amounts allocated to prior years while Bunge is a PFIC would be taxed at the highest U.S. federal income tax rate in effect for each such year. In addition, an interest charge may apply to the portion of the U.S. federal income tax liability on such gains or distributions treated under the PFIC rules as having been deferred by the former Corn Products stockholder.
Further, if Bunge is characterized as a PFIC and, at any time, holds equity interests of a non-U.S. corporation that is classified as a PFIC, a former Corn Products stockholder generally would be deemed to own, and also would be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to, such stockholder's indirect ownership interests in that lower-tier PFIC. In such a case, a former Corn Products stockholder could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if either (i) Bunge receives a distribution from, or disposes of all or part of its interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or (ii) such stockholder disposes of all or part of its Bunge common shares.
If Bunge is treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a former Corn Products stockholder makes a timely QEF election, such stockholder generally will be required to annually include in its gross income (i) as ordinary income, a pro rata share of the ordinary earnings of Bunge, and (ii) as long-term capital gain, a pro rata share of the net capital gain of Bunge, in either case, whether or not distributed by Bunge. In addition, if Bunge holds equity interests of a lower-tier PFIC, unless such equity interests are held through a U. S. partnership that itself makes a QEF election with respect to
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the lower-tier PFIC, a former Corn Products stockholder must also make a QEF election in respect of such lower-tier PFIC. If Bunge determines that it is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a former Corn Products stockholder holds Bunge common shares, Bunge will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such stockholder, upon written request, with (i) information and documentation that such stockholder is reasonably required to obtain in connection with its making a QEF election in respect of Bunge, and (ii) information related to the PFIC status of any non-U.S. corporation in which Bunge holds equity interests, including information and documentation necessary to make a QEF election.
If Bunge is treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a former Corn Products stockholder makes a timely mark-to-market election, such stockholder would take into account each year the appreciation or depreciation in value of such stockholder's Bunge common shares, which would be treated as ordinary income or (subject to limitations) ordinary loss, as would gains or losses on actual dispositions of Bunge common shares. In order to make a mark-to-market election, under Treasury regulations, the Bunge common shares must be "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange". The Bunge common shares are currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a qualified exchange. The Bunge common shares will be treated as regularly traded for any calendar year during which such shares are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. Bunge cannot assure former Corn Products shareholders that the Bunge common shares will be treated as regularly traded. In addition, a mark-to-market election with respect to the Bunge common shares would not apply to a lower-tier PFIC, and a former Corn Products stockholder would not be able to make such a mark-to-market election in respect of its indirect ownership interest in that lower-tier PFIC. Consequently, the PFIC rules could apply with respect to income of the lower-tier PFIC, the value of which already had been taken into account indirectly via mark-to-market adjustments.
Any former Corn Products stockholder who owns Bunge common shares during any year that Bunge is a PFIC would be required to file IRS Form 8621. Corn Products stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to the Bunge common shares and the availability and advisability of making an election to avoid the adverse tax consequences of the PFIC rules should Bunge be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. Moreover, dividends that a former Corn Products stockholder receives from Bunge will not be eligible for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates described above if Bunge is a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year (and instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income).
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. A former Corn Products stockholder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax (currently at a rate of 28%) on any dividends paid on the Bunge common shares. A Corn Products stockholder will not be subject to backup withholding, however, if such stockholder (i) furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding on an IRS Form W-9 (or successor form), or (ii) is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against such Corn Products stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided such stockholder timely furnishes the required information to the IRS.
THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER AND THE OWNERSHIP OF BUNGE COMMON SHARES COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CORN PRODUCTS STOCKHOLDER. ACCORDINGLY, EACH CORN PRODUCTS STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER AND OF THE OWNERSHIP OF BUNGE COMMON SHARES BASED ON THE STOCKHOLDER'S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
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United States Antitrust
Under the HSR Act and related rules, certain transactions, including the merger, may not be completed until each party has filed its notification and report form with the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC and the HSR Act waiting period has expired or been terminated. Bunge and Corn Products each filed their notification and report forms with the Antitrust Division of the DOJ and the FTC regarding the merger on August 1, 2008 and the HSR Act waiting period expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 2, 2008. At any time before or after the effective time of the merger, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ, the FTC, or others (including states and private parties) could take action under the antitrust laws, including seeking to prevent the merger, to rescind the merger or to conditionally approve the merger upon the divestiture of assets of Bunge or Corn Products. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if a challenge is made, that it would not be successful.
Other Laws
In addition to the regulatory clearances described above, filings with or the consent of other governmental agencies are required to be obtained prior to the effective time of the merger. Filings must be made with, and clearances obtained from, the relevant competition authorities in Canada, Mexico and Colombia. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust or competition grounds will not be made or, if a challenge is made, that it would not be successful. Bunge and Corn Products have made filings in other jurisdictions, where required, and have either received clearances in such jurisdictions or clearances are not required as a condition to the closing of the merger in such jurisdictions.
General
It is possible that any of the governmental entities with which filings have been made or may be made may seek additional regulatory concessions or impose additional conditions or states or private parties may commence litigation to prevent the completion of the merger. There can be no assurance that:
Under Bermuda law, holders of Bunge common shares will not be entitled to dissenters' rights in connection with the merger because they will not be receiving any merger consideration in the merger.
Under Delaware law, holders of Corn Products common stock will not be entitled to dissenters' rights in connection with the merger because they are not receiving any merger consideration other than Bunge common shares and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional Bunge common shares, and Bunge common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
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Corn Products Employee Benefits Matters
The merger agreement provides that:
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In addition, Bunge has agreed that it will negotiate in good faith with Corn Products with a view to agreeing on a mechanism with respect to Corn Products employees who hold Corn Products 2006-2008 Performance Share Awards and who remain employed by Bunge or any of its subsidiaries following the closing of the merger and through the applicable payment date, so that such employees are not adversely affected from a financial viewpoint as a result of the occurrence of the closing of the merger, taking into consideration the actual performance of Corn Products during 2008.
No earlier than August 5, 2008, Corn Products will fund the Corn Products International, Inc. Executive Benefit Trust in an amount up to $45 million and up to 800,000 shares of Corn Products common stock in order to fund all of Corn Products' obligations pursuant to the plans under such trust.
Bunge and Corn Products have agreed to provide each other with reasonable access to personnel and information as either of them may reasonably request in connection with Bunge negotiating and entering into retention arrangements with certain key Corn Products employees selected by Bunge.
Bunge and Corn Products have agreed that nothing in the merger agreement will be treated as an amendment or other modification of any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement or the establishment of any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement or will limit the right of Bunge or any of its subsidiaries to amend, terminate or otherwise modify (or cause to be amended, terminated or otherwise modified) any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement following the closing of the merger in accordance with its terms. Nothing in the merger agreement creates any third party beneficiary or other rights in any other person, including any employees, former employees, any participant in any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof), of Corn Products or any of its affiliates or to continued employment with Bunge or any of its affiliates or continued participation in any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement.
Effect on Awards Outstanding Under Corn Products Stock Incentive Plan
Under the merger agreement, each stock option outstanding under the Corn Products stock incentive plan immediately prior to the completion of the merger will become fully exercisable upon completion of the merger and will be converted into an option to purchase, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the related Corn Products stock option, the number of Bunge common shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the number of shares subject to such Corn Products stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, and the exercise price per share will be an amount equal to the exercise price per share of such Corn Products stock option in effect immediately prior to the completion of the merger divided by the exchange ratio (rounded upward to the nearest full cent).
As soon as practicable after the completion of the merger, Bunge will deliver to each holder of a Bunge stock option that was converted from a Corn Products stock option an appropriate notice setting forth such holder's rights, and such Bunge stock option will be fully exercisable and will otherwise continue in effect on the same terms and conditions as the related Corn Products stock option (subject to the adjustment described in this section). Bunge will ensure, to the extent required by, and subject to the provisions of, the Corn Products stock incentive plan, that such converted stock options that qualified as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code prior to the completion of the merger will continue to qualify as incentive stock options after the completion of the merger. Bunge will reserve for issuance a sufficient number of Bunge common shares for delivery upon exercise of such converted stock options. As soon as practicable after the completion of the merger, the Bunge common shares subject to such converted stock options will be covered by an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form) or another appropriate form, and Bunge will use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such converted stock options remain outstanding. In addition, Bunge will use its reasonable best efforts to
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cause the Bunge common shares subject to such converted stock options to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and such other exchanges as Bunge may determine.
Under the merger agreement, upon completion of the merger, all restrictions imposed on shares of Corn Products restricted stock and restricted stock units, except restricted stock units subject to deferral elections, will immediately lapse upon completion of the merger and such shares and restricted stock units will be converted into a number of Bunge common shares equal to the exchange ratio that will be fully vested and no longer subject to restriction. Each restricted stock unit subject to a deferral election will be converted into a fraction of a Bunge stock unit equal to the exchange ratio upon completion of the merger and will be paid in Bunge common shares in accordance with the deferral election to which it is subject.
Under the merger agreement, upon completion of the merger, all performance shares that are unvested and subject to the satisfaction of performance measures under the Corn Products stock incentive plan, except performance shares subject to deferral elections, will immediately vest at their respective target levels and will be converted into a number of Bunge common shares equal to the exchange ratio that will be fully vested and no longer subject to restriction or other condition. Each performance share subject to a deferral election will be converted into a fraction of a Bunge stock unit equal to the exchange ratio upon completion of the merger and will be paid in Bunge common shares in accordance with the deferral election to which it is subject. Additionally, Bunge has agreed to negotiate in good faith with Corn Products with a view to agreeing on a mechanism with respect to employees of Corn Products who hold performance shares relating to the 2006-2008 performance period and remain employees of Bunge or any of its subsidiaries following the completion of the merger and through the applicable payment date, so that such employees are not adversely affected from a financial viewpoint as a result of the completion of the merger, taking into consideration the actual performance of Corn Products and its subsidiaries during 2008.
Bunge common shares to be issued in the merger will not be subject to any restrictions on transfer arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not cover resales of Bunge common shares received by any person upon completion of the merger, and no person is authorized to make any use of this joint proxy statement/prospectus in connection with any resale.
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On June 23, 2008, a putative class action lawsuit, entitled Simon v. Almeida, et al., Case No. 08CH22717, was filed against Corn Products and its directors in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division. The complaint purports to be on behalf of all Corn Products stockholders (except the defendants and their affiliates). The complaint alleges that Corn Products' directors violated their fiduciary obligations to Corn Products stockholders in approving the merger agreement. Specifically, the complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors failed to:
The complaint seeks various forms of relief, including injunctive relief that could, if granted, prevent the completion of the merger.
On July 8, 2008, a second putative class action lawsuit entitled Fuller v. Corn Products International, et al., Case No. 08CH24465, was filed against Corn Products and its directors in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division. The complaint purports to be on behalf of all Corn Products stockholders (except the defendants and their affiliates). The complaint alleges that Corn Products' directors violated their fiduciary obligations to Corn Products stockholders in approving the merger agreement. Specifically, the complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors:
In addition, the Fuller complaint alleges that the terms of the merger agreement were designed to ensure that the sale of Corn Products to Bunge is preferential to Bunge, and to subvert the interests of plaintiff and other Corn Products stockholders. In particular, plaintiff alleges that the merger agreement contains "unlawful provisions" including the termination fee provisions, the no solicitation provisions, and the grant of "matching rights" to Bunge to match any superior proposal received by Corn Products. The complaint seeks various forms of relief, including injunctive relief that could, if granted, prevent the completion of the merger.
On July 9, 2008, a third putative class action lawsuit entitled Smith v. Corn Products International, et al., Case No. 08CH24565, was filed against Corn Products and its directors in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division. The complaint purports to be on behalf of all Corn Products stockholders (except the defendants and their affiliates). The allegations and relief sought in this case are substantially the same as that of the Fuller case, discussed above. At this time, the likely outcome of this case cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss, if any, be made.
On July 14, 2008, the plaintiffs in the Fuller and Smith cases filed a motion to consolidate their cases with the Simon case. On July 15, 2008, the plaintiffs in the Simon case also filed a motion to
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consolidate the three cases and for appointment of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP (Wolf Haldenstein) as interim class counsel. On July 17, 2008, the plaintiffs in the Simon case withdrew the portion of their motion seeking appointment of Wolf Haldenstein as interim class counsel. On July 22, 2008, the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division consolidated the Fuller and Smith cases with the Simon case and, on that same day, the plaintiffs in the Simon case re-filed their motion for appointment of Wolf Haldenstein as interim class counsel. On July 25, 2008, the plaintiffs in the Fuller and Smith cases filed a motion for appointment of the law firm of Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP (Coughlin Stoia) as class counsel. On August 25, 2008, the Court entered an order pursuant to which Wolf Haldenstein and Coughlin Stoia would be appointed co-class counsel for the proposed class, and on September 4, 2008 the plaintiffs in the Simon, Fuller and Smith cases filed a consolidated complaint. A motion to dismiss the complaint was filed on September 12, 2008.
On August 20, 2008, a fourth putative class action lawsuit entitled Adams Family Limited Partnership No. 1 v. Corn Products International, et al., Case No. 3987, was filed against Corn Products and its directors in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The complaint purports to be on behalf of all Corn Products stockholders (except the defendants and their affiliates). The allegations and relief sought in this case are substantially the same as that of the Simon, Fuller and Smith cases, discussed above. No answer or responsive pleading has yet been filed.
Corn Products believes the above referenced lawsuits to be without merit and is defending them vigorously. However, at this time, the likely outcome of these lawsuits cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss, if any, be made.
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This is a summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement. The merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference, contains the complete terms of that agreement. You should read the entire merger agreement carefully.
The merger agreement and the discussion under the heading "The Merger Agreement" have been included to provide you with information regarding the terms of the merger agreement. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about Bunge and Corn Products. That information can be found elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and in the other public filings made by Bunge or Corn Products with the SEC, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov.
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties the parties made to each other as of specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations and warranties were made solely for purposes of the contract between Bunge and Corn Products and may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed by Bunge and Corn Products in connection with negotiating its terms. Moreover, certain representations and warranties may not be accurate or complete as of any specified date because they are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from those generally applicable to stockholders or were used for the purpose of allocating risk between Bunge and Corn Products rather than establishing matters as facts. For the foregoing reasons, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as statements of factual information.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger
Conditions to Bunge's and Corn Products' Obligations to Complete the Merger
Each party's obligation to effect the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions that include the following:
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Conditions to Bunge's Obligation to Complete the Merger
Bunge's obligation to effect the merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
Conditions to Corn Products' Obligation to Complete the Merger
Corn Products' obligation to effect the merger is further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:
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representation or warranty that is expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date);
Important Definitions
The merger agreement provides that a "material adverse effect" means, when used in connection with Corn Products or Bunge, any event, circumstance, change or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, circumstances, changes and effects:
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Bunge and Corn Products can provide no assurance that all of the conditions precedent to the merger will be satisfied or waived by the party permitted to do so. Neither Bunge nor Corn Products can at this point determine whether it would resolicit proxies in the event that it decides to waive any of the items listed above. Each of Bunge's and Corn Products' decisions would depend upon the facts and circumstances leading to their respective decisions to complete the merger and whether Bunge or Corn Products believes there has been a material change in the terms of the merger and its effect on Bunge or Corn Products and their respective shareholders or stockholders. In making this determination, Bunge and Corn Products would consider, among other factors, the reasons for the waiver, the effect of the waiver on the terms of the merger, whether the requirement being waived was necessary in order to make the transaction fair to Bunge shareholders or Corn Products stockholders from a financial point of view, the availability of alternative transactions and the prospects of Bunge or Corn Products as an independent entity. If either Bunge or Corn Products determines that a waiver of a condition would materially change the terms of the merger, it will resolicit proxies.
The merger agreement provides that neither Corn Products nor any of its subsidiaries will, and Corn Products will use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, other advisors and representatives not to:
The merger agreement provides that the term "acquisition proposal" means any proposal or offer from any person or group of persons (other than Bunge, Bleecker Acquisition Corp. or their affiliates):
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in each case other than the merger.
The merger agreement provides that the term "qualifying confidentiality agreement" means a confidentiality agreement with provisions requiring any person receiving non-public information with respect to Corn Products to keep such information confidential, which confidentiality provisions are no less restrictive in the aggregate to such person than the confidentiality agreement executed by Corn Products and Bunge is to Bunge and provided that such confidentiality agreement will not conflict with any rights of Bunge or Bleecker Acquisition Corp. or obligations of Corn Products and its subsidiaries under the merger agreement.
The merger agreement provides further that, notwithstanding the restrictions described above, if Corn Products receives an unsolicited written acquisition proposal from any person or group of persons at any time prior to the Corn Products special meeting, Corn Products:
The merger agreement provides that the term "superior proposal" means an unsolicited written bona fide offer made by a third party to consummate any of the following transactions:
in each case on terms that the Corn Products board of directors determines, in its good faith judgment (after consultation with Corn Products' financial advisors), to be more favorable to Corn Products' stockholders than the merger (after taking into account, among other factors the Corn Products board of directors may deem relevant, the likelihood of obtaining any financing required to consummate the transaction contemplated by such offer).
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The merger agreement provides that Corn Products must promptly (but in no event more than 24 hours) advise Bunge in writing of the receipt of any acquisition proposal, or any inquiry, discussions or negotiations relating to any acquisition proposal and the terms and conditions of such acquisition proposal, and Corn Products must promptly provide to Bunge a copy of any acquisition proposal made in writing provided to Corn Products and copies of any written materials received by Corn Products in connection with such acquisition proposal. Corn Products must keep Bunge reasonably informed of the status of any discussions or negotiations relating to any acquisition proposal. Corn Products also must simultaneously provide to Bunge any non-public information concerning Corn Products that is provided to any other person or group of persons in connection with any acquisition proposal if such information was not previously provided to Bunge.
The merger agreement provides that neither the Corn Products board of directors nor any committee of the Corn Products board of directors may withdraw, qualify, modify or amend, or propose to withdraw, qualify, modify or amend, in any manner adverse to Bunge, the approval or recommendation by the Corn Products board of directors or any committee of the Corn Products board of directors of the merger agreement or the merger or take any action, or make any public statement, filing or release inconsistent with its recommendation of the merger agreement and the merger.
Notwithstanding the above, at any time prior to the Corn Products special meeting, if Corn Products has received a superior proposal (after giving effect to any revised offer by Bunge as described below), the Corn Products board of directors may:
No withdrawal of its recommendation of the merger agreement or the merger, or termination of the merger agreement, by the Corn Products board of directors in response to a superior proposal may be made unless:
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superior proposal, and the provisions relating to notice and negotiation described above will continue to apply with respect to the revised superior proposal, except the Corn Products board of directors must in such event provide prior written notice to Bunge only 2 calendar days in advance of its intention to withdraw its recommendation of the merger agreement or the merger, or to terminate the merger agreement, in response to a superior proposal and Corn Products' corresponding obligation to negotiate in good faith shall run for only 2 days.
The merger agreement provides that any disclosure that the Corn Products board of directors may be compelled to make with respect to the receipt of a proposal or offer for an acquisition proposal or otherwise in order to comply with its fiduciary obligations to Corn Products and its stockholders under applicable law and Corn Products' certificate of incorporation or Rule 14d-9 or 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, will not constitute a violation of the merger agreement so long as such disclosure does not constitute a withdrawal of the Corn Products board of directors' recommendation of the merger agreement and the merger other than in accordance with the above provisions and other provisions of the merger agreement (and a mere "stop, look and listen" disclosure will not be deemed to be such a withdrawal).
Notwithstanding the above, at any time prior to the adoption of the merger agreement at the Corn Products special meeting, the Corn Products board of directors may, other than in response to a superior proposal, withdraw its recommendation of the merger agreement and the merger if the Corn Products board of directors determines, in its good faith judgment prior to the time of the Corn Products special meeting and after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to withdraw its recommendation of the merger agreement and the merger would be inconsistent with the Corn Products directors' exercise of their fiduciary obligations to Corn Products and its stockholders under applicable law and Corn Products' certificate of incorporation. However, no such withdrawal may be made by the Corn Products board of directors unless:
The merger agreement provides that neither the Bunge board of directors nor any committee of the Bunge board of directors may withdraw, qualify, modify or amend, or propose to withdraw, qualify, modify or amend, in any manner adverse to Corn Products, the approval or recommendation by the Bunge board of directors or any committee of the Bunge board of directors of the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders on the terms and conditions set out in the merger agreement, or take any action, or make any public statement, filing or release inconsistent with its recommendation of such issuance of Bunge common shares.
Notwithstanding the above, at any time prior to the approval of the issuance of Bunge common shares to Corn Products stockholders, the Bunge board of directors may withdraw its recommendation
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of such issuance of Bunge common shares, if the Bunge board of directors determines, in its good faith judgment prior to the Bunge special general meeting and after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the failure to withdraw its recommendation of such issuance of Bunge common shares would be inconsistent with the Bunge directors' exercise of their fiduciary obligations to Bunge and its shareholders under applicable law. However, no such withdrawal may be made by the Bunge board of directors unless:
Termination of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the merger, even if the merger agreement has been adopted by the Corn Products stockholders and the issuance of Bunge common shares to the Corn Products stockholders has been approved by Bunge shareholders:
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directors or any committee of the Corn Products board of directors of the merger agreement or the merger;
Payment of Certain Fees and Expenses
General
The merger agreement provides that each party will pay its own fees and expenses in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement whether or not the merger or any other transaction is consummated.
Payment of Termination Fee
Corn Products must pay to Bunge a termination fee of $110 million in each of the following circumstances:
in either case, within 12 months after the date of such termination Corn Products enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, a transaction contemplated by an
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acquisition proposal (for purposes of this circumstance, all references to 25% in the description of an acquisition proposal above will be replaced with 50%); or
Payment of Certain Expenses
Corn Products must reimburse Bunge for all of Bunge's expenses (up to a $10 million limit) in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in each of the following circumstances:
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or recommendation by the Corn Products board of directors or any committee of the Corn Products board of directors of the merger agreement or the merger; or
The amount of any expenses paid by Corn Products to Bunge will be credited against any termination fee to be paid by Corn Products if the termination fee subsequently becomes payable.
Bunge must reimburse Corn Products for all of Corn Products' expenses (up to a $10 million limit) in connection with the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in each of the following circumstances:
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger
Under the merger agreement, Corn Products has agreed that, during the period from the date of the merger agreement to the completion of the merger, except as consented to by Bunge, it and its subsidiaries will conduct their businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business as currently conducted and it will use its reasonable best efforts to preserve substantially intact the business organization of Corn Products and its subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the current officers, employees and consultants of Corn Products and its subsidiaries and to preserve the current relationships of Corn Products and its subsidiaries with customers, suppliers and other persons with which Corn Products or any of its subsidiaries has significant business relations.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the period from the date of the merger agreement to the completion of the merger, Corn Products has also agreed to specific restraints on itself and its subsidiaries relating to the following, unless it shall receive the prior written consent of Bunge (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except with respect to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and twelfth items listed below):
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Under the merger agreement, during the period from the date of the merger agreement to the completion of the merger, except as consented to by Corn Products, Bunge has agreed to specific restraints relating to the following:
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Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties relating to, among other things:
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The representations and warranties of each of Bunge and Corn Products have been made solely for the benefit of the other party and those representations and warranties should not be relied on by any other person. In addition, those representations and warranties:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, Bunge and Corn Products have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws or otherwise to consummate and make effective the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including obtaining all permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of governmental authorities and parties to contracts with Corn Products and its subsidiaries as are necessary for the consummation of the merger.
The merger agreement further provides that Bunge and Corn Products must promptly:
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Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation; Appointment of Additional Bunge Director
The merger agreement provides that the certificate of incorporation of Bleecker Acquisition Corp., as in effect immediately prior to the completion of the merger, will be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation (except that the name of the surviving corporation will be Corn Products International, Inc.) until amended. The merger agreement further provides that the bylaws of Bleecker Acquisition Corp., as in effect immediately prior to the completion of the merger, will be the bylaws of the surviving corporation (except that any references to Bleecker Acquisition Corp.'s name will be replaced with references to Corn Products International, Inc.) until amended. For a summary of certain provisions of the current Corn Products Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and the associated rights of Corn Products stockholders, see "Comparison of Rights of Common Shareholders of Bunge and Common Stockholders of Corn Products".
The merger agreement provides that, prior to the closing of the merger and effective as of the effective time of the merger, Bunge will appoint Samuel C. Scott III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Corn Products, to the class of directors of the Bunge board of directors with its term expiring at the 2011 annual general meeting of Bunge shareholders.
Amendment; Extension and Waiver
Subject to applicable law:
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements give effect to the merger of Bunge and Corn Products. In the merger, the outstanding shares of Corn Products common stock will be exchanged for Bunge common shares pursuant to the exchange ratio described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements. For pro forma purposes the merger has been accounted for as a purchase pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business Combinations. Under the purchase method of accounting, the total estimated purchase price is allocated to all tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values on the date the merger is consummated.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income are presented as if the merger had occurred on January 1, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet combines the historical balance sheets of Bunge and Corn Products giving effect to the merger as if it occurred on June 30, 2008.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements include adjustments that are based on preliminary estimates pending the completion of an appraisal and other evaluations to reflect the allocation of the purchase price of Corn Products' net assets as of June 30, 2008. The excess of purchase price over the estimated net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. The final purchase accounting adjustments recorded in connection with the merger may differ from those presented herein.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with (i) the audited historical consolidated financial statements of Bunge included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the unaudited historical consolidated financial statements of Bunge included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus (ii) the audited historical financial statements of Corn Products included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the unaudited historical consolidated financial statements of Corn Products included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and (iii) the other information contained in the statements and reports filed by Bunge and by Corn Products with the SEC. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the financial position that would have been obtained or the financial results that would have occurred if the merger had been consummated on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations of the combined company in the future. The pro forma adjustments, as described below, are based upon available information and certain assumptions that Bunge's management believes are reasonable.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements do not give effect to any anticipated cost savings or any other financial benefits expected to result from the merger.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
|
Historical |
|
|
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bunge |
Corn Products |
Pro Forma Adjustments |
Pro Forma Consolidated |
|||||||||
|
(United States Dollars in millions, except per share data) |
||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 37,842 | $ | 3,391 | $ | (137 | )(a) | $ | 41,096 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | (35,327 | ) | (2,805 | ) | 44 | (a) | (38,088 | ) | |||||
Gross profit |
2,515 |
586 |
(93 |
) |
3,008 |
||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (1,359 | ) | (249 | ) | (19 | )(b) | (1,627 | ) | |||||
Interest income | 166 | 12 | 178 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (353 | ) | (50 | ) | (403 | ) | |||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | 217 | (4 | ) | 213 | |||||||||
Other income (expense)net | 15 | 10 | 25 | ||||||||||
Income from operations before income tax |
1,201 |
305 |
(112 |
) |
1,394 |
||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | (310 | ) | (102 | ) | 37 | (c) | (375 | ) | |||||
Income from operations after income tax |
891 |
203 |
(75 |
) |
1,019 |
||||||||
Minority interest | (146 | ) | (5 | ) | (151 | ) | |||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliates | 33 | | 33 | ||||||||||
Net income |
778 |
198 |
(75 |
) |
901 |
||||||||
Convertible preference share dividends | (40 | ) | | (40 | ) | ||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders |
$ |
738 |
$ |
198 |
$ |
(75 |
) |
$ |
861 |
||||
Earnings per common sharebasic |
$ |
6.11 |
$ |
2.65 |
$ |
5.40 |
|||||||
Earnings per common sharediluted |
$ |
5.95 |
$ |
2.59 |
$ |
5.29 |
|||||||
Weighted Average shares used to calculate net income per common share |
|||||||||||||
Basic | 120.7 | 74.7 | 159.4 | (d) | |||||||||
Diluted | 130.8 | 76.5 | 170.3 | (d) | |||||||||