Praxair to Buy NuCO2 for $1.1 Billion
On Tuesday, Praxair announced that it has signed an agreement to buy beverage carbonator NuCO2 Inc. from private equity firm Aurora Capital Group for $1.1 billion in cash.
With $250 million in projected sales for 2013, NuCO2 is selling for approximately 4.4 times annual sales, a sizable premium to the 2.9 times sales valuation of Praxair's own shares. On the other hand, NuCO2's $115 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization shows the companies' price-to-EBITDA valuations are much more comparable. Praxair commands a 9.3 P/EBITDA ratio, versus the 9.6 ratio it's paying for NuCO2.
Praxair appears to think the premiums are worth paying, however, in order to gain control of NuCO2's "leading" position in the market for "micro-bulk carbonation" of beverages for quick-service restaurants, convenience stores, and craft beer vendors. The deal is expected to close by the end of this quarter. NuCO2 has 162,000 customer locations and 900 employees.
The article Praxair to Buy NuCO2 for $1.1 Billion originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Rich Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
