This ASX mining services stock is exploding 65% on takeover news

Only one set of shareholders will be smiling on Tuesday.

| More on:
a man in a hard hat and overalls raises his arms and holds them out wide as he smiles widely in an optimistic and welcoming gesture.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Decmil Group Limited (ASX: DCG) shares are catching the eye on Tuesday.

In morning trade, the ASX mining services stock is up 65% to a 52-week high of 28 cents.

Why is this ASX mining stock rocketing?

Investors have been scrambling to get hold of the company's shares this morning after it received and accepted a takeover offer from Macmahon Holdings Ltd (ASX: MAH).

According to the release, the two parties have entered into a scheme implementation deed under which Macmahon will acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Decmil Group by way of inter-dependent schemes of arrangement for a cash price of $0.30 per share.

This represents a 76% premium to where the ASX mining stock last traded.

The transaction will be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. This includes the independent expert's report, approval by Decmil shareholders, and by the court.

In addition, Macmahon intends to acquire all Decmil redeemable convertible preference shares on issue for the aggregate of 34.3 cents per share via a separate, inter-conditional, contemporaneous scheme of arrangement.

Decmil board recommends the deal

The Board of Decmil has unanimously recommended that its shareholders vote in favour of the schemes. This is in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to the independent expert's report.

Furthermore, Decmil's major shareholders Thorney Group and Horley, have also indicated their support for the transaction. They have confirmed that they intend to vote in favour of the schemes, subject to the same qualifications.

Thorney Group and Horley together hold 26.7% of the ordinary shares and 38% of the preference shares outstanding.

Macmahon shares tumble

The news doesn't appear to have gone down well with Macmahon shareholders. Its shares are down a sizeable 8% in morning trade.

However, management believes the deal makes a lot of sense. It highlights that it is "consistent with Macmahon's strategic focus of achieving continued earnings growth while diversifying earnings into the less capital intensive civil infrastructure business."

It also feels that the transaction "offers a strategic fit, enhances and accelerates earnings diversification, with financial metrics that are compelling for Macmahon shareholders."

Whereas over at Decmil, its board believe the offer is too good to turn down. The ASX mining stock's chairman, Andrew Barclay, stated:

While the Decmil turnaround is starting to gather pace, Macmahon's all-cash offer at a strong premium to Decmil's current share and redeemable convertible preference share prices provides our securityholders with both certainty and accelerated value today that Decmil's position as a standalone company cannot be guaranteed to provide.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Two miners standing together.
Resources Shares

Are Fortescue shares set for a China-fuelled rally?

Let’s unearth whether the miner is an opportunity.

Read more »

Miner on his tablet next to a mine site.
Resources Shares

Should you buy BHP stock on a sell-off?

Is it time to dig into this huge ASX mining share?

Read more »

A person smashes a wall with a hammer, sending bricks flying.
Resources Shares

Why did the BHP share price get hammered again in November?

ASX 200 investors sent BHP shares tumbling in November. Let’s find out why.

Read more »

two men in hard hats and high visibility jackets look together at a laptop screen that one of the men in holding at a mine site.
Resources Shares

Is Fortescue stock a buy for its monstrous 10% dividend yield?

We should always be careful about a high dividend yield on a mining stock.

Read more »

A happy construction worker or miner holds a fistfull of Australian money, indicating a dividends windfall
Resources Shares

Which ASX mining shares make it into the passive income elite globally?

Clue: BHP isn't one of them.

Read more »

Mining worker wearing hard hat and high vis vest holds thumbs up and smiles
Resources Shares

2 of the best ASX 200 mining stocks to buy now

These stocks are highly rated by analysts at Bell Potter. Let's see what the broker is saying about them.

Read more »

Miner holding cash which represents dividends.
Resources Shares

Could a maiden dividend soon be on the cards for this ASX mining stock?

Reinvestment in growth projects has been the company's priority up to this point

Read more »

Man in yellow hard hat looks through binoculars as man in white hard hat stands behind him and points.
Resources Shares

Pilbara Minerals shares: What the AGM revealed and what's next

Investors have plenty to digest, from updates on growth projects to the company's evolving strategy.

Read more »