Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) has poured cold water on the idea of an imminent takeover bid for the company, but its shares continue to hold up regardless.
Shares in the fast-food operator took off on Tuesday after the Australian Financial Review published a story claiming that private equity firm Bain Capital Specialty Finance Inc (NYSE: BCSF) was poised to lob a takeover bid for the company, valued at as much as $4 billion.
Given that Domino's valuation before the story broke was about $1.46 billion, there was plenty of room for the shares to jump, and jump they did, soaring 17.4% to $18.13 before the company asked that its shares be placed in a trading halt.
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Nothing to see here
The company released a statement to the ASX at about 2pm on Tuesday, saying that as far as they were aware, no takeover bid was in the wings, sending the stock lower to close the day at $16.56, still well up on Friday's closing price of $15.45.
As the company said:
Domino's confirms that, as far as it is aware, it has not received any proposal from Bain Capital or had any communication with that organisation. Looking at the price and volume of Domino's security trading at or around and after the time the AFR Online article was released, it is clear that the change in price of Domino's securities and the increase in volume … all occurred after that article was published.
While Domino's flatly rejected the notion that Bain had made a bid, the company's shares rose again on Wednesday morning, up 4.6% to $17.32.
While the original AFR article was incorrect, the publication did a follow-up story published on their website on Wednesday, quoting Domino's executive chair, Jack Cowin, who said he was open to a deal, but only after he was able to repair the company's share price.
Turnaround story
Mr Cowin, who founded and still owns Hungry Jack's, stepped into the executive chair role at Domino's in July, when the company also announced that managing director Mark van Dyck would step down in December.
Mr Cowin said at the time the company had work to do turning itself around, and he would concentrate on righting the ship.
As he said:
We're taking action to make Domino's a leaner, more efficient business. That means reducing costs – and using those savings to support our franchise partners and invest in marketing that drives sales. We will share the rewards when we get it right – with customers, with partners, and with shareholders.
Domino's is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on 12 November, when Mr Cowin will stand for re-election.
