UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
(5) | Total fee paid: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
(3) | Filing Party: |
(4) | Date Filed: |
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS PROPOSED TRANSACTIONYOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Dear Shareholders:
We are pleased to report that Avago Technologies Limited (Avago) and Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the Merger Agreement) on May 28, 2015 which provides for a proposed business combination transaction between Avago and Broadcom.
Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and a statutory procedure known as a Scheme of Arrangement (the Avago Scheme) to be implemented by Avago under Singapore law and subject to approval of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore, all issued ordinary shares of Avago as of immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly allotted and issued ordinary shares of Pavonia Limited, a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (Holdco), and Broadcom will become an indirect subsidiary of Holdco upon the merger of certain indirect subsidiaries of Holdco with and into Broadcom, with Broadcom continuing as the surviving corporation of each such merger (such mergers, the Broadcom Merger and together with the Avago Scheme, the Transactions). As a result of the Transactions, both Avago and Broadcom will become indirect subsidiaries of Holdco and their equity securities will cease to be publicly traded. Holdco will be renamed Broadcom Limited. It is a condition to the Transactions that Holdco ordinary shares be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, as is the case today with Avago ordinary shares and Broadcom Class A common stock.
As a result of the Broadcom Merger, at closing, each share of Broadcom common stock (each, a Broadcom Common Share) will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of each holder of such Broadcom common stock, and subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement, cash or equity interests in either Holdco or Safari Cayman L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the general partner of which is Holdco (Holdco LP). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Broadcom shareholders will have the ability to elect to receive, with respect to each issued and outstanding share of Broadcom common stock:
| $54.50 in cash, or |
| 0.4378 freely-tradeable ordinary shares of Holdco, or |
| 0.4378 limited partnership units of Holdco LP (Restricted Exchangeable Units), that are designed to be the economic equivalent of 0.4378 ordinary shares of Holdco, which cannot be transferred, sold, or hedged for a period of one or two years after closing of the Transactions. |
The shareholder election (except any election for Restricted Exchangeable Units) will be subject to proration so that the average consideration per Broadcom Common Share will be $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Holdco ordinary shares or the equivalent amount in Restricted Exchangeable Units. The primary objective of this transaction consideration structure is to achieve an overall mix of consideration of approximately half cash and half equity (subject to fluctuations in the value of Holdco equity) to Broadcom shareholders, while also modifying that goal to allow any holder of Broadcom Common Shares who desires to receive securities of the surviving company in a transaction intended to constitute a tax-free exchange to achieve that result. The structure of the Transactions, including the use of multiple mergers involving Broadcom, the order in which those mergers will occur and the use of different tiers of subsidiaries of Holdco to effect those mergers, is for the purpose of achieving the desired tax treatment for Broadcom shareholders, including those that elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units and intend to be long-term securityholders of the surviving company in light of the significant restrictions on those securities, and to facilitate the intended financing structure.
Avago ordinary shares and shares of Broadcom Class A common stock currently trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol AVGO and BRCM, respectively. On September 25, 2015, the most recent practicable trading day prior to the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the closing price of Avago ordinary shares was $126.74 per share and the closing price of shares of Broadcom Class A common stock was $52.13 per share. The number of Holdco ordinary shares to be exchanged for each Avago ordinary share and the
number of Holdco ordinary shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units and the amount of cash to be exchanged for each Broadcom Common Share (subject, in the case of Broadcom shareholders, to the election and proration provisions of the Merger Agreement), will not fluctuate with changes in the relative market prices of Avago ordinary shares and shares of Broadcom Class A common stock.
The special meeting of Broadcom shareholders (the Broadcom Special Meeting) will be convened on November 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at Broadcoms corporate headquarters, 5300 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617. At the Broadcom Special Meeting, Broadcom shareholders will be asked to approve, among other things, the Merger Agreement and the Broadcom Merger. More information about the proposals to be voted on at the Broadcom Special Meeting is contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The board of directors of Broadcom has unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement, the California merger agreements attached as exhibits thereto (the California Merger Agreements), the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders and recommends that Broadcom shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Broadcom Merger, the Merger Agreement and the principal terms thereof and FOR the approval of the other proposals to be voted on at the Broadcom Special Meeting as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Avagos shareholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to approve the Avago Scheme (the Avago Scheme Proposal) and a proposal to approve the issuance of Holdco ordinary shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units (including the issuance of Holdco ordinary shares upon the exchange of such units in accordance with the terms thereof and the voting rights attached thereto) pursuant to the Merger Agreement in order to effect the Transactions (the Equity Issuance Proposal) at a meeting of Avagos shareholders that has been directed to be convened by the High Court of the Republic of Singapore (the Avago Court Meeting) on November 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. For the convenience of all, the Avago Court Meeting will be held at the offices of Avagos U.S. subsidiary, at 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131. At the Avago Court Meeting, Avago shareholders will be asked to approve the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal. The Avago Scheme will also require the approval of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore. More information about the proposal to be voted on at the Avago Court Meeting is contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The board of directors of Avago has unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement, the Transactions (including the Avago Scheme) and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Avago and its shareholders and recommends that Avago shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal and FOR the approval of the Equity Issuance Proposal.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is an important document containing answers to frequently asked questions, a summary description of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and more detailed information about the other matters to be voted upon by Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders as part of the Avago Court Meeting and the Broadcom Special Meeting, respectively. We urge you to read this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference carefully and in their entirety. In particular, you should consider the matters discussed in the section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 45 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Thank you for your consideration and continued support. We look forward to the successful combination of Avago and Broadcom.
Sincerely,
Hock E. Tan President and Chief Executive Officer Avago Technologies Limited |
Henry Samueli, Ph.D. Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer Broadcom Corporation |
Scott A. McGregor President and Chief Executive Officer Broadcom Corporation |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission, nor any securities regulatory authority in Singapore, has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the Transactions or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This document is dated September 28, 2015 and is first being mailed to Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders on or about September 29, 2015.
AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore)
(Company Registration Number 200510713C)
NOTICE OF COURT MEETING OF AVAGO SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 10, 2015
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
Originating |
) | |||
Summons |
) | |||
Number 828 of 2015 |
) |
In the Matter of Avago Technologies Limited (RC No. 200510713C)
and
In the Matter of Section 210 of the Companies Act, Chapter 50 |
Scheme of Arrangement
under Section 210 of the Companies Act, Chapter 50
between
Avago Technologies Limited
and
the Scheme Shareholders (as defined herein)
and
Pavonia Limited
NOTICE OF MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, by an Order of Court dated September 15, 2015 made in the above matter, the High Court of the Republic of Singapore (the Singapore Court) has directed a Meeting to be convened of the Scheme Shareholders (as defined in the Schedule below) of Avago Technologies Limited, and such Meeting shall be held at the offices of Avagos U.S. subsidiary, at 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131 on November 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. local time, for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving (with or without modification) the following resolutions:
That the Scheme of Arrangement proposed to be made pursuant to Section 210 of the Companies Act, Chapter 50 of Singapore, between (i) Avago Technologies Limited, (ii) the Scheme Shareholders and (iii) Pavonia Limited, a copy of which has been circulated with the Notice convening this Meeting, be and is hereby approved.
That the allotment and issuance of ordinary shares in the capital of Pavonia Limited and/or limited partnership interests of Safari Cayman L.P. (including the allotment and issuance of ordinary shares in the capital of Pavonia Limited upon the exchange of such limited partnership interests in accordance with the terms thereof and the Pavonia Limited voting rights attached thereto) to shareholders of Broadcom Corporation pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 28, 2015, as amended, by and among Broadcom Corporation, Avago Technologies Limited and the other parties thereto be and is hereby approved.
A copy of the Scheme of Arrangement and the information required to be furnished pursuant to Section 211 of the Companies Act, Chapter 50 of Singapore, are incorporated in the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this Notice forms a part.
A Scheme Shareholder may vote in person at the Meeting or may appoint one (and not more than one) person, whether a member of Avago Technologies Limited or not, as his or her proxy to attend and vote in his or her stead.
NOTICE OF COURT MEETING
A form of proxy applicable for the Meeting is enclosed with the joint proxy statement/prospectus of which this Notice forms a part.
It is requested that forms appointing proxies be lodged at Proxy Services, c/o Computershare Investor Services, P.O. Box 43101, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-5067, not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the Meeting (or within such other time as may be required by the Companies Act (Chapter 50) of Singapore) or such longer period as may be specified by the procedures of the participants of The Depository Trust Company.
In the case of joint Scheme Shareholders, any one of such persons may vote, but if more than one of such persons are present at the Meeting, the person whose name stands first on the Register of Members of Avago Technologies Limited shall alone be entitled to vote.
By the said Order of Court, the Singapore Court has appointed James V. Diller, or failing him, Hock E. Tan, to act as Chairman of the said Meeting and has directed the Chairman to report the results thereof to the Singapore Court.
The Scheme of Arrangement will be subject, inter alia, to the subsequent approval of the Singapore Court.
THE SCHEDULE
Expression |
Meaning | |
Scheme Shareholders |
(i) Persons who are registered as holders of ordinary shares in the capital of Avago Technologies Limited in the Register of Members of Avago Technologies Limited, other than CEDE & Co. (Registered Holders); and
(ii) persons who are registered as holders of ordinary shares of Avago Technologies Limited in book entry form on the register of The Depository Trust Company, which shares are held through CEDE & Co. as the registered holder of the said Avago shares on the Register of Members of Avago Technologies Limited (DTC Participants). |
Dated this 28th day of September, 2015
ALLEN & GLEDHILL LLP
One Marina Boulevard #28-00
Singapore 018989
Solicitors for
Avago Technologies Limited
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Avago and Broadcom that is 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 into this joint proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company or its proxy solicitor at the following addresses and telephone numbers:
For Avago shareholders: | For Broadcom shareholders: | |
Avago Technologies Limited Attn: Investor Relations c/o Avago
Technologies U.S. Inc. San Jose, California 95131 U.S.A. |
Broadcom Corporation Attn: Investor Relations P.O. Box 57013 Irvine, California 92619 U.S.A. | |
Telephone: (855) 591-5745 (toll-free within the United States) or +1 (408) 435-7400 Email: investor.relations@avagotech.com |
Telephone: +1 (949) 926-6932 Email: andrewtp@broadcom.com | |
Georgeson Inc. 480 Washington Boulevard, 26th Floor Jersey City, New Jersey 07310 Shareholders Call Toll Free: (888) 680-1529 International Callers: (781) 575-2137 |
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. 105 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10016 Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800) 322-2885 International Callers: (212) 929-5500 |
If you would like to request any documents, please do so by October 27, 2015 in order to receive them before the Avago Court Meeting or the Broadcom Special Meeting, as applicable.
For a more detailed description of the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and how you may obtain it, see the section entitled Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
ABOUT THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
This joint proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed by Holdco and Holdco LP with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), constitutes a prospectus of Holdco and Holdco LP under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) with respect to the securities to be issued to Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders in connection with the transactions described herein. This joint proxy statement/prospectus also constitutes a joint proxy statement for both Avago and Broadcom under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). It further constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the court meeting of Avago shareholders and a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of Broadcom shareholders.
You should rely only on the information contained in 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 September 28, 2015, and you should assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate only as of such date. You should also assume that the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus is only accurate as of the date of such information.
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 in which 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 Avago has been provided by Avago and information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding Broadcom has been provided by Broadcom.
Neither Avago shareholders nor Broadcom shareholders should construe the contents of this joint proxy statement/prospectus as legal, tax or financial advice. Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders should consult with their own legal, tax, financial or other professional advisors. All summaries of, and references to, the agreements governing the terms of the transactions described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are qualified by the full copies of and complete text of such agreements in the forms attached hereto as annexes, which are available on the SEC website of Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission, nor any securities regulatory authority in Singapore, has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the Transactions or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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No Solicitation by Broadcom; No Change in Broadcom Board Recommendation |
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Shareholder Meetings; Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Singapore Court Order |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 2, 2015 |
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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Comparison of Certain Rights of Avago Ordinary Shares and Holdco Ordinary Shares |
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Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households Where Two or More Shareholders Reside |
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Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Executive Compensation Arrangements |
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Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of Broadcom Common Shares |
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Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of Avago Ordinary Shares |
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Annex C-1: Form of Pre-Second Phase Amendment Articles of Association |
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Annex D: Form of Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdco LP |
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Annex E: Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law |
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND THE MEETINGS
Set forth below are some questions that you, as a shareholder of Avago Technologies Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (Avago), or a shareholder of Broadcom Corporation, a California corporation (Broadcom), may have regarding the transactions and other matters being considered at your respective shareholder meeting, and the answers to those questions. Avago and Broadcom urge you to read carefully this joint proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the transactions and the other matters being considered at the respective shareholder meetings. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
General Questions and Answers
Q: What are the proposed transactions?
A: Avago and Broadcom have agreed to certain transactions pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 28, 2015 (as it may be amended from time to time, the Merger Agreement), by and among Broadcom, Avago, Pavonia Limited, a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (Holdco), Safari Cayman L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands the general partner of which is Holdco (Holdco LP) and acting through Holdco as its general partner, Avago Technologies Cayman Holdings Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a direct subsidiary of Holdco LP (Intermediate Holdco), Avago Technologies Cayman Finance Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a direct subsidiary of Intermediate Holdco (Finance Holdco), Buffalo CS Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and subsidiary of Finance Holdco (Cash/Stock Merger Sub), and Buffalo UT Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and subsidiary of Finance Holdco (Unit Merger Sub, together with Cash/Stock Merger Sub, the Merger Subs, and the Merger Subs, together with Avago, Holdco, Holdco LP, Intermediate Holdco and Finance Holdco, the Avago Parties), a copy of which is included as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement (the Avago Scheme) to be implemented by Avago under Singapore law in accordance with Section 210 of the Companies Act (Chapter 50) of Singapore (the SCA), all of the issued ordinary shares in the capital of Avago (the Avago Ordinary Shares) will (at the direction of Holdco) be transferred to Finance Holdco, and Holdco will issue to the holders of Avago Ordinary Shares one fully paid, duly authorized and validly issued ordinary share in the capital of Holdco (a Holdco Ordinary Share) for each such Avago Ordinary Share (the Avago Scheme Consideration).
Immediately following the consummation of the Avago Scheme, Cash/Stock Merger Sub will merge with and into Broadcom (such merger, the Cash/Stock Merger) and immediately following the consummation of the Cash/Stock Merger, Unit Merger Sub will merge with and into Broadcom (such merger, the Unit Merger and together with the Cash/Stock Merger, the Broadcom Merger and together with the Avago Scheme, the Transactions), with Broadcom as the surviving corporation (the Broadcom Surviving Corporation) and as an indirect subsidiary of Holdco.
Holdco will be renamed Broadcom Limited in connection with the Transactions. Until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with applicable law, the directors of Avago immediately before the time the Avago Scheme becomes effective will be appointed as the directors of Holdco immediately after such effective time, except that two directors of Broadcom, designated by Avago prior to such effective time (one of whom is Dr. Henry Samueli, Broadcoms Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer), will also be appointed directors of Holdco immediately following the effective time of the Broadcom Merger. The officers of Avago immediately prior to the effective time of the Avago Scheme will, from and after such time, be the officers of Holdco until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed or qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with Holdcos charter documents.
1
The structure of the Transactions, including the use of multiple mergers involving Broadcom, the order in which those mergers will occur, and the use of different tiers of subsidiaries of Holdco to effect those mergers, is for the purpose of achieving the desired tax treatment for Broadcom shareholders, including those that elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units and intend to be long-term securityholders of the surviving company in light of the significant restrictions on those securities, and to facilitate the intended financing structure. For more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Avago Scheme to holders of Avago Ordinary Shares and of the Cash/Stock Merger and the Unit Merger to holders of Broadcom Common Shares, see The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Avago Scheme to U.S. Holders of Avago Ordinary Shares and The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
Q: What is this document?
A: This joint proxy statement/prospectus serves as the joint proxy statement through which Avago and Broadcom will solicit proxies to obtain necessary approvals from their respective shareholders for the Transactions. It also serves as the prospectus by which Holdco will offer and issue Holdco Ordinary Shares and Holdco LP will offer and issue exchangeable limited partnership units (together with any voting interest in Holdco provided to the holders of such units, Restricted Exchangeable Units) in connection with the Transactions. It also provides Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders with important details about Holdco, Holdco LP and their rights as potential equityholders of Holdco and Holdco LP. In addition, it informs Broadcom shareholders of the upcoming special meeting of Broadcom shareholders (the Broadcom Special Meeting) at which Broadcom shareholders will vote, among other items, on a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement, and it informs Avago shareholders of the upcoming court meeting of Avago shareholders (the Avago Court Meeting) at which Avago shareholders will vote on a proposal to approve the Avago Scheme (the Avago Scheme Proposal) and a proposal to approve the issuance of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units (including the issuance of Holdco Ordinary Shares upon the exchange of such units in accordance with the terms thereof and the voting rights attached thereto) pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the Equity Issuance Proposal) in furtherance of the Transactions and provides information relating to the Avago Scheme in accordance with Section 211 of the SCA.
Q: Why did I receive this joint proxy statement/prospectus?
A: Before the Transactions can be completed, Avago shareholders must vote to approve the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal and Broadcom shareholders must vote to approve the Merger Agreement and the Broadcom Merger. Avago will hold the Avago Court Meeting on November 10, 2015 and Broadcom will hold the Broadcom Special Meeting on November 10, 2015 to obtain these approvals and the approval of certain other proposals that are not conditions to the completion of the Transactions. Avago and Broadcom are sending you this joint proxy statement/prospectus to ask you to vote in favor of these matters because you were a shareholder of record of Avago on September 25, 2015, the record date for the Avago Court Meeting (the Avago Record Date), and therefore you are entitled to vote at the Avago Court Meeting, or you were a shareholder of record of Broadcom on September 25, 2015, the record date for the Broadcom Special Meeting (the Broadcom Record Date), and therefore you are entitled to vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting.
Q: What percentage of the issued Holdco Ordinary Shares will Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders own following the Transactions?
A: Based on the estimated number of outstanding shares of Broadcom Class A and Class B common stock (Broadcom Common Shares) and issued Avago Ordinary Shares as of immediately prior to the completion of the Transactions, Avago and Broadcom estimate that, upon the completion of the Transactions, former Broadcom shareholders will own approximately 33% of Holdco through the ownership of both Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units, and former Avago shareholders will own approximately 67% of Holdco through
2
ownership of Holdco Ordinary Shares, in each case, assuming the exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units for Holdco Ordinary Shares in accordance with the terms of such Restricted Exchangeable Units and that no more than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Broadcom Merger. If more than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Broadcom Merger, former Broadcom shareholders will own a greater percentage of Holdco than estimated above.
Q: When do Avago and Broadcom expect to complete the Transactions?
A: Avago and Broadcom currently plan to complete the Transactions as soon as possible following the Avago Court Meeting and the Broadcom Special Meeting. However, neither Avago nor Broadcom can predict the exact timing of the completion of the Transactions because the Transactions are subject to governmental and regulatory review processes and other conditions to closing, including the approval of the Avago Scheme by the High Court of the Republic of Singapore. As described in detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the Broadcom Merger will not be completed until the Avago Scheme is implemented.
Q: What is required to complete the Transactions?
A: The obligations of Avago and Broadcom to consummate the Transactions are subject to certain conditions, including approval by Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders of the Transactions, no material action being taken by any governmental entity enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of any of the Transactions, no law passed by any governmental entity making the consummation of the Transactions illegal, receipt of required regulatory approvals, approval by The Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ) for listing of the Holdco Ordinary Shares to be allotted and issued in the Broadcom Merger and the Avago Scheme, approval by the High Court of the Republic of Singapore (the Singapore Court) of the Avago Scheme, accuracy of representations and warranties of the parties to the applicable standard provided by the Merger Agreement, no event occurring that had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Avago or Broadcom, compliance by the parties with their covenants in the Merger Agreement in all material respects, and the effectiveness of the registration statement (the Registration Statement) of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, as well as other customary closing conditions. See The Merger AgreementConditions to Completion of the Transactions.
Q: What will be the relationship between Avago and Broadcom after the Transactions?
A: Avago and Broadcom will both survive the Transactions as indirect subsidiaries of Holdco.
Q: Where will Holdco be headquartered after consummation of the transaction?
A: Holdco will be jointly headquartered at 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923 and 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131, which are the current joint headquarters for Avago.
Q: What is the amount of financing to be incurred in connection with the Transactions?
A: Intermediate Holdco, an indirect subsidiary of Holdco, has entered into a debt commitment letter (the Debt Commitment Letter) which provides commitments for $4.25 billion under a senior secured term loan A facility, $11.25 billion under another senior secured term loan B facility, $500 million under a senior secured revolving credit facility and up to $3 billion under a senior secured term loan B facility. The proceeds from these facilities, in addition to cash on hand of Avago and Broadcom, will be used to fund the cash consideration in the Broadcom Merger to Broadcom shareholders, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and to pay for the refinancing of certain outstanding debt of Avago and Broadcom.
Q: What happens if the Transactions are not completed?
A: If the Transactions are not completed, neither Avago shareholders nor Broadcom shareholders will receive any consideration for their shares. Instead, both Avago and Broadcom will remain independent public companies,
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and Avago Ordinary Shares and shares of Broadcom Class A common stock will continue to be listed and traded on NASDAQ. Under specified circumstances, Avago or Broadcom may be required to pay the other party a termination fee in accordance with the Merger Agreement. The termination fees are described in more detail under The Merger AgreementTransaction Expenses and Termination Fees.
Q: What do I need to do?
A: After you have carefully read and considered the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxy via the Internet or by telephone in accordance with the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form, or complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form in the postage-prepaid envelope provided as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented and voted at the Avago Court Meeting or the Broadcom Special Meeting, as applicable. You may also vote in person at the Avago Court Meeting or the Broadcom Special Meeting or by sending a representative with an acceptable proxy that has been signed and dated.
Questions and Answers for Broadcom Shareholders
Q: What will Broadcom shareholders receive in the Broadcom Merger?
A: At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger:
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive cash, who fail to make a valid election or whose election is revoked (including by any subsequent transfer of such shares) in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares (any such shares, Cash Electing Shares) will receive $54.50 in cash per Broadcom Common Share, subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement as described below. |
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares (any such shares, Stock Electing Shares) will receive 0.4378 freely-tradeable Holdco Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share, subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement as described below. |
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares (any such shares, Unit Electing Shares and, together with Stock Electing Shares, Equity Electing Shares) will receive 0.4378 Restricted Exchangeable Units per Broadcom Common Share. Proration will not apply to elections to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units. |
| Broadcom shareholders who vote their Broadcom Common Shares AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal and who properly demand for the purchase of such shares in accordance with Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law (the CGCL) will not have those shares converted into the right to receive consideration otherwise payable for Broadcom Common Shares upon consummation of the Transactions, but those shares will instead be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due pursuant to Chapter 13 of the CGCL (any such shares, Dissenting Shares). |
The primary objective of the foregoing structure of the transaction consideration is to achieve an overall mix of consideration of approximately half cash and half equity (subject to fluctations in the value of Holdco equity) to Broadcom shareholders, while also modifying that goal to allow any holder of Broadcom Common Shares who desires to receive securities of the surviving company in a transaction intended to constitute a tax-free exchange to achieve that result. See The Merger AgreementConsideration to be Received; Broadcom Shareholder Elections as to Form of Consideration and Proration.
The structure of the Transactions, including the use of multiple mergers involving Broadcom, the order in which those mergers will occur, and the use of different tiers of subsidiaries of Holdco to effect those mergers, is
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for the purpose of achieving the desired tax treatment for Broadcom shareholders, including those that elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units and intend to be long-term securityholders of the surviving company in light of the significant restrictions on those securities, and to facilitate the intended financing structure. For more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Avago Scheme to holders of Avago Ordinary Shares and of the Cash/Stock Merger and the Unit Merger to holders of Broadcom Common Shares, see The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Avago Scheme to U.S. Holders of Avago Ordinary Shares and The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
Q: Will Broadcom Class A and Class B shareholders be entitled to receive the same consideration in the Broadcom Merger?
A: All Broadcom shareholders will be treated identically in connection with the Broadcom Merger, and holders of shares of Class A and Class B common stock of Broadcom are entitled to elect to receive the same types and amounts of consideration per share.
Q: How does the proration work?
A: Depending on the final results of Broadcom shareholder elections and the number of Dissenting Shares, the mix of consideration paid to Broadcom shareholders may be adjusted as follows:
| Holders of Cash Electing Shares will receive their consideration with respect to such shares in the form determined as follows: |
| if the total number of Cash Electing Shares and Dissenting Shares (such total, the Cash Electing Share Number) is 50% or less of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, all cash; or |
| if the Cash Electing Share Number is greater than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, a prorated amount of cash and Holdco Ordinary Shares. |
| Holders of Stock Electing Shares will receive their consideration with respect to such shares in the form determined as follows: |
| if 50% or less of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger are Stock Electing Shares or Unit Electing Shares, all Holdco Ordinary Shares; or |
| if less than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger are Unit Electing Shares, and the aggregate number of Stock Electing Shares and Unit Electing Shares exceeds 50% of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, a prorated amount of Holdco Ordinary Shares and cash; or |
| if 50% or more of Broadcom Common Shares outstanding as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger are Unit Electing Shares, all cash. |
| Holders of Unit Electing Shares will receive Restricted Exchangeable Units with respect to such shares under all circumstances (Unit Electing Shares are not subject to proration). |
No Restricted Exchangeable Units will be issued to any Broadcom shareholder who has not elected to receive those securities.
Any prorated amount of Holdco Ordinary Shares and cash to be paid in the Broadcom Merger is designed to cause the total amount of cash paid and the total number of Holdco Ordinary Shares issued to the holders of
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Broadcom Common Shares, as a whole, to equal as nearly as practicable the total amount of cash and number of Holdco Ordinary Shares that would have been paid and issued to holders of Stock Electing Shares and Cash Electing Shares if 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Stock Electing Shares and 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Cash Electing Shares.
Example 1: Assume that overall, 25% of the Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares, 50% are Stock Electing Shares and 25% are a combination of Cash Electing Shares and Dissenting Shares. Further assume that you own 1,000 Broadcom Common Shares as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger. Based on the proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, you would receive the Broadcom Merger Consideration as set forth in the chart below depending on the election you make:
Election Made: |
Broadcom Merger Consideration Received: | |
100% cash |
You would receive $54.50 cash per Broadcom Common Share, not subject to proration, or $54,500.00 cash. | |
100% Restricted Exchangeable Units |
You would receive 0.4378 Restricted Exchangeable Units per Broadcom Common Share (plus cash for fractional Restricted Exchangeable Units), not subject to proration, or 437 Restricted Exchangeable Units (plus cash for 0.8 fractional units). | |
100% Holdco Ordinary Shares |
You would receive $27.25 cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share (plus cash for fractional shares), or $27,250.00 cash plus 218 Holdco Ordinary Shares (plus cash for 0.9 fractional shares). | |
50% cash and 50% Holdco Ordinary Shares |
You would receive $54.50 cash per Cash Electing Share, and $27.25 cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Stock Electing Share (plus cash for fractional shares), or $40,875.00 cash and 109 Holdco Ordinary Shares (plus cash for 0.45 fractional shares). |
Example 2: Assume that overall, 10% of the Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares, 15% are Stock Electing Shares and 75% are a combination of Cash Electing Shares and Dissenting Shares. Further assume you own 1,000 Broadcom Common Shares as of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger. Based on the proration provisions of the Merger Agreement, you would receive the Broadcom Merger Consideration as set forth in the chart below depending on the election you make:
Election Made: |
Broadcom Merger Consideration received: | |
100% cash |
You would receive $36.33 cash and 0.1459 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share (plus cash for fractional shares), or $36,333.33 cash and 145 Holdco Ordinary Shares (plus cash for 0.93 fractional shares). | |
100% Restricted Exchangeable Units |
You would receive 0.4378 Restricted Exchangeable Units per Broadcom Common Share (plus cash for fractional Restricted Exchangeable Units), not subject to proration, or 437 Restricted Exchangeable Units (plus cash for 0.8 fractional units). | |
100% Holdco Ordinary Shares |
You would receive 0.4378 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share (plus cash for fractional shares), not subject to proration, or 437 Holdco Ordinary Shares (plus cash for 0.8 fractional shares). | |
50% cash and 50% Holdco Ordinary Shares |
You would receive $36.33 cash and 0.1459 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Cash Electing Share, and 0.4378 Holdco Ordinary Shares per Stock Electing Share (plus cash for fractional shares), or $18,166.67 cash and 291 Holdco Ordinary Shares (plus cash for 0.87 fractional shares). |
See The Merger AgreementConsideration to be Received; Broadcom Shareholder Elections as to Form of Consideration and Proration for more detail on proration.
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Q: What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Transactions to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common Shares?
A: With regard to the Cash/Stock Merger, it is anticipated that the Cash/Stock Merger will generally be treated as an exchange by holders of Broadcom Common Shares of such Broadcom Common Shares for Holdco Ordinary Shares and cash. To the extent that such cash is provided by Broadcom, however, the Cash/Stock Merger may be treated in part as a redemption of Broadcom Common Shares by Broadcom for the cash provided by Broadcom.
If you exchange all of your Broadcom Common Shares solely for cash, you will generally recognize (subject to the application of certain constructive ownership rules described in The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common SharesBroadcom Shareholders Receiving Cash) capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and your tax basis in your Broadcom Common Shares exchanged therefor.
The receipt of Holdco Ordinary Shares for Broadcom Common Shares is intended to qualify as a tax-free exchange described in Section 351 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time (the Code). It is uncertain, however, whether the application of Section 367(a)(1) of the Code (discussed in The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common SharesTreatment of the Cash/Stock Merger for U.S. HoldersApplication of Section 367(a)(1)) would require recognition of gain for holders of Broadcom Common Shares who receive Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Cash/Stock Merger. If the application of Section 367(a)(1) of the Code does not require the recognition of gain for holders of Broadcom Common Shares who receive Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Cash/Stock Merger, (A) if you exchange all of your Broadcom Common Shares solely for Holdco Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Cash/Stock Merger, you will not recognize any gain or loss with respect to your Broadcom Common Shares exchanged therefor; and (B) if you exchange all of your Broadcom Common Shares for a combination of Holdco Ordinary Shares and cash pursuant to the Cash/Stock Merger, such exchange may be treated in part as an exchange and in part as a redemption of your Broadcom Common Shares by Broadcom, as discussed above. To the extent treated as an exchange, you generally will recognize capital gain (but not loss) equal to the lesser of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of the Holdco Ordinary Shares you receive in such exchange over (b) your adjusted tax basis in your Broadcom Common Shares surrendered in such exchange, and (2) the amount of cash you receive in such exchange. To the extent treated as a redemption, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received in such redemption and your tax basis in the portion of your Broadcom Common Shares redeemed in such redemption.
If application of Section 367(a)(1) of the Code does require recognition of gain to holders of Broadcom Common Shares who receive Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Cash/Stock Merger, holders who receive solely Holdco Ordinary Shares will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value as of the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger of any Holdco Ordinary Shares received in the Cash/Stock Merger, over such holders tax basis in the Broadcom Common Shares surrendered in the Cash/Stock Merger. If you exchange all of your Broadcom Common Shares for a combination of Holdco Ordinary Shares and cash pursuant to the Cash/Stock Merger, such exchange may be treated in part as an exchange and in part as a redemption of your Broadcom Common Shares by Broadcom, as discussed above. To the extent treated as an exchange, you generally will recognize capital gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount of cash received in such exchange and the fair market value as of the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger of any Holdco Ordinary Shares received in such exchange, over your tax basis in the Broadcom Common Shares surrendered in such exchange. To the extent treated as a redemption, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received in such redemption and your tax basis in the portion of your Broadcom Common Shares deemed redeemed in such redemption. For more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Cash/Stock Merger to holders of Broadcom Common Shares, see The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal
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Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common SharesTreatment of the Cash/Stock Merger for U.S. Holders.
With regard to the Unit Merger, holders of Broadcom Common Shares participating in the Unit Merger are expected to be viewed as exchanging such Broadcom Common Shares for (i) the Restricted Exchangeable Units received in the Unit Merger and (ii) the voting rights in Holdco received in the Unit Merger pursuant to the Voting Trust Agreement (as defined below) (such rights, Voting Rights), with the portion of the Broadcom Common Shares deemed exchanged for each being determined by reference to the relative fair market values of such Restricted Exchangeable Units and such Voting Rights. The receipt of Restricted Exchangeable Units for Broadcom Common Shares is intended to qualify as an exchange within the meaning of Section 721 of the Code in which no gain or loss is recognized. Under this treatment, your adjusted tax basis in the Restricted Exchangeable Units received in the Unit Merger should equal the aggregate adjusted tax basis in the Broadcom Common Shares exchanged therefor (increased by your allocable share of any Holdco LP liabilities), and your holding period in the Restricted Exchangeable Units received should include your holding period in the Broadcom Common Shares exchanged therefor. Broadcom expects to receive an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Skadden) at the time of closing substantially to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) Holdco LP should be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) Restricted Exchangeable Units should be treated as an interest in Holdco LP, and (iii) the receipt of Restricted Exchangeable Units for Broadcom Common Shares should qualify as an exchange within the meaning of Section 721 of the Code in which neither gain nor loss is recognized. The receipt of Voting Rights is expected to be treated as a taxable transaction in which you will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the fair market value of the Voting Rights you receive and your tax basis in the portion of your Broadcom Common Shares deemed exchanged therefor. For more information regarding the opinion expected to be rendered by Skadden to Broadcom and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Unit Merger to holders of Broadcom Common Shares, see The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Shareholders of BroadcomTreatment of the Unit Merger for U.S. Holders.
Q: What are the Singapore tax consequences of the Transactions to holders of Broadcom Common Shares?
A: Pursuant to the Transactions, Broadcom shareholders may be regarded as having disposed of the Broadcom Common Shares in exchange for cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units, and a profit may result to the Broadcom shareholders pursuant to such disposal. Under current Singapore income tax laws, only profits which are sourced in Singapore will fall within Singapores income tax net. Conversely, if such profits are sourced outside Singapore, there will be no Singapore income tax consequences for Broadcom shareholders.
However, even if such profits are regarded to be arising from a source in Singapore, there is no tax on capital gains in Singapore. As such, any profits from the disposal of the Broadcom Common Shares would not ordinarily be taxable in Singapore. On the other hand, if the profits from the disposal of Broadcom Common Shares are construed to be of an income nature (which could be the case if, for instance, the gains arise from the carrying on of a trade or business in Singapore), the disposal profits would be taxable as income rather than capital gains.
There is no Singapore stamp duty payable by the Broadcom shareholders in respect of the Transactions.
See The TransactionsMaterial Singapore Tax Considerations.
Q: How do Broadcom shareholders make an election?
A: An election form, along with a copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, will be mailed to each holder of record of Broadcom Common Shares as promptly as reasonably practicable following approval of Avago
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shareholders and Broadcom shareholders of the Transactions, receipt of required regulatory approvals, the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, NASDAQ listing approval and CFIUS (as defined below) approval (the Election Mailing Date) to each holder of record of Broadcom Common Shares as of the close of business of the fifth business day prior to the Election Mailing Date (the Election Record Date). In order to make a valid election, Broadcom shareholders must return their properly completed and signed election form to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Exchange Agent) prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the date five business days prior to Avagos good faith estimate of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by Avago and Broadcom (such time is referred to as the Election Deadline). The Election Deadline will not be earlier than 20 business days after the Election Mailing Date, and Avago and Broadcom will jointly publish a press release announcing the Election Deadline at least three business days prior to the Election Deadline. Any Broadcom Common Shares with respect to which the Exchange Agent has not received a properly completed, signed election form on or before the Election Deadline will be deemed Cash Electing Shares and will receive $54.50 in cash per share, subject to proration.
If your Broadcom Common Shares are held in a brokerage or other custodial account, you should receive instructions from the entity which holds your shares advising you of the procedures for making your election. If you do not receive these instructions, you should contact the entity which holds your shares.
Q: I own multiple blocks of Broadcom Common Shares. Can I make a different election with respect to different blocks (e.g., designate some blocks as Cash Electing Shares and other blocks as Stock Electing Shares)?
A: Yes. For example, if you have differing bases or holding periods in respect of your Broadcom Common Shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you must determine the bases and holding periods separately for each identifiable block of Broadcom Common Shares you exchange, and you can make a different election with respect to each such block. However, you may not designate priority among the Broadcom Common Shares within any such block in the event of proration in connection with the Cash/Stock Merger. See The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Broadcom Merger to U.S. Holders of Broadcom Common SharesTreatment of the Cash/Stock Merger for U.S. Holders.
Q: Can Broadcom shareholders make one election for some of their shares and another for the rest?
A: Yes. The election form will permit the holder to specify the number of such holders Broadcom Common Shares with respect to which such holder elects cash, Holdco Common Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Q: Can Broadcom shareholders change their election after submitting an initial election?
A: Yes. Any record holder of Broadcom Common Shares who has delivered a duly completed election form to the Exchange Agent may, at any time prior to the Election Deadline, change such holders election by submitting a properly completed revised form of election to the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline.
Q: Can Broadcom shareholders sell their shares after submitting an initial election?
A: Yes. However, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, after an election has been properly made by a Broadcom shareholder, such shareholder is obligated to revoke the election prior to any subsequent sale or transfer of Broadcom Common Shares as to which such election relates. In addition, any subsequent sale or transfer of Broadcom Common Shares as to which an election relates will automatically revoke the election.
Q: Will the Restricted Exchangeable Units be listed on an exchange?
A: No.
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Q: Will holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units have the right to require Holdco LP to repurchase their Restricted Exchangeable Units?
A: Yes. After the second anniversary of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger (or if Restricted Exchangeable Units are elected with respect to 15% or less of the outstanding Broadcom Common Shares as of the Election Deadline, the first anniversary of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, such one or two year period, the Restricted Period), a holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units will have the right (the Exchange Right) to require Holdco LP to repurchase any or all of the holders Restricted Exchangeable Units. If a holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units exercises this Exchange Right, either Holdco or Holdco LP will repurchase each Restricted Exchangeable Unit submitted for repurchase in consideration for either one Holdco Ordinary Share or an equivalent cash amount, as determined by Holdco in its sole discretion, in accordance with the Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdco LP (the Partnership Agreement). See Post-Transactions Organizational StructureDescription of the Restricted Exchangeable UnitsOptional Exchange Right.
In addition to the Restricted Period, prior to the third anniversary of the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, it shall be a further condition precedent to the obligation of Holdco LP to repurchase such Restricted Exchangeable Units that, and the holder of such Restricted Exchangeable Units shall not be permitted to exercise such Exchange Right unless, (i) Holdco has received a written opinion from an independent nationally recognized law or accounting firm that the exercise of the Exchange Right should not cause Holdco to be treated as (a) a surrogate foreign corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time (the Code)) or (b) a domestic corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(b) of the Code) and (ii) Holdcos independent auditor has determined that no reserve shall be required for financial accounting purposes relating to Section 7874 of the Code as a result of the exercise of such Exchange Right.
Accordingly, holders of the Restricted Exchangeable Units may not be entitled to require Holdco LP to repurchase all or any portion of such holders Restricted Exchangeable Units for up to three years after the closing of the Transactions.
Q: Will holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units be able to transfer, pledge or hedge their Restricted Exchangeable Units during the Restricted Period?
A: No. Unless otherwise approved in writing by Holdco in its sole discretion as the general partner of Holdco LP, during the Restricted Period, holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units may not sell, transfer, convey, assign, pledge, grant a security interest or other lien, encumber or dispose of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law) any interest in any Restricted Exchangeable Units, except for certain permitted transfers specified in the Partnership Agreement, including but not limited to transfers for charitable purposes or as charitable gifts or donations or transfers to certain persons or entities for certain estate planning purposes. However, the recipients of any such transfer would continue to be subject to the Restricted Period and the transfer, pledging, hedging and other limitations on the Restricted Exchangeable Units.
In addition, unless otherwise approved in writing by Holdco in its sole discretion as the general partner of Holdco LP, during the Restricted Period, holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units may not be a party to or participate, directly or indirectly, in any short sale, forward contract to sell, option or forward contract to purchase, swap or other hedging, synthetic, put equivalent or similar derivative instrument or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Exchangeable Units or any Holdco Ordinary Shares, whether settled in cash or securities. Holders of Unit Electing Shares will also be required in their election form to (i) represent that such holder is not a party to and does not otherwise participate, directly or indirectly, in any such transaction and (ii) acknowledge that such holder will, upon accepting Restricted Exchangeable Units, be deemed, by virtue of acceptance of such Restricted Exchangeable Units and without any further action on such holders part, to have executed the Partnership Agreement and
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agreed to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Restricted Exchangeable Units and to comply with the terms and restrictions of the Partnership Agreement. In the event of a breach by any holder of the hedging restrictions in the Partnership Agreement, the Restricted Period applicable to such holders Restricted Exchangeable Units will be extended by two years.
Q: Will holders of the Restricted Exchangeable Units be entitled to vote with respect to matters presented to Holdco shareholders?
A: Yes. Each holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units will have the benefit of a voting trust agreement (the Voting Trust Agreement) to be entered into by and among Holdco LP, Holdco and a trustee to be agreed upon by Holdco and Holdco LP (the Trustee). The Trustee will hold a number of non-economic voting preference shares in the capital of Holdco (the Special Voting Shares) equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Holdco Ordinary Shares receivable upon the exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units of Holdco LP outstanding as of immediately following the effective time of the Transactions and (ii) a number (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to 19.9% of the aggregate voting power of Holdco exercisable at such time. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement, the holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units will be able to direct the Trustee, as their proxy, to vote on their behalf in votes that are presented to the holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares. See the section entitled Post-Transactions Organizational StructureDescription of Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Q: Will holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units be entitled to receive distributions?
A: Yes. The Restricted Exchangeable Units will be subject to the terms of the Partnership Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, if a dividend or distribution has been declared and is payable in respect of a Holdco Ordinary Share, Holdco LP will make a distribution in respect of each Restricted Exchangeable Unit in an amount equal to the dividend or distribution in respect of a Holdco Ordinary Share. For additional information regarding dividends payable to holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units, see the section entitled Post-Transactions Organizational StructureDescription of Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Q: What will happen to unvested Broadcom equity awards in the merger?
A: At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and unvested Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit award held by an individual who is eligible to be included on a registration statement filed by Holdco on Form S-8 will be assumed by Holdco and converted (each such as-converted equity award a Broadcom Converted Equity Award) into an option to purchase a number of Holdco Ordinary Shares or an award of a number of restricted stock units of Holdco Ordinary Shares, respectively (in each case, rounded down to the nearest whole share), equal to the sum of (i) the number of Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by 0.2189 plus (ii) the number of Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by the quotient obtained by dividing $27.25 by the volume weighted average trading price of Avago Ordinary Shares on NASDAQ, calculated to four decimal places and determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours, for the five consecutive trading days ending on the third complete trading day prior to (and excluding) the date of the closing of the Transactions, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. (such average trading price, the Avago Measurement Price). The exercise price per Holdco Ordinary Share for such converted Holdco options (which will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent) will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate exercise price for the Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger by (y) the aggregate number of Holdco Ordinary Shares to be subject to such converted Broadcom stock option calculated in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. All such Broadcom Converted Equity Awards will have the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Broadcom stock options or restricted stock unit awards, including with respect to any applicable change in control or other accelerated vesting provisions.
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Q: What will happen to vested Broadcom equity awards in the merger?
A: At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and vested Broadcom stock option will be cancelled and the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the positive difference, if any, calculated by subtracting the aggregate exercise price of such option from the product of the number of vested shares subject to such option immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by the Equity Award Consideration (as defined below).
At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and vested Broadcom restricted stock unit award (including any Broadcom restricted stock unit award that becomes vested as a result of the Transactions) will be cancelled and the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of the number of shares subject to such restricted stock unit immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, multiplied by the Equity Award Consideration.
The Equity Award Consideration means the sum of (i) $27.25 and (ii) the product obtained by multiplying (A) 0.2189 times (B) the Avago Measurement Price.
Q: When and where will the Broadcom Special Meeting be held?
A: The Broadcom Special Meeting will be held at Broadcoms principal executive offices located at 5300 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, on November 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. local time, unless adjourned or postponed to a later date or time.
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the Broadcom shareholder meeting?
A: Only Broadcom shareholders of record as of the Broadcom Record Date for the Broadcom Special Meeting, and their duly appointed proxies, are entitled to vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting.
The close of business on September 25, 2015 has been fixed as the Broadcom Record Date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting or any adjournments of the Broadcom Special Meeting (if necessary).
Q: How do I vote my Broadcom Common Shares?
A: Broadcom shareholders as of the Broadcom Record Date may have their Broadcom Common Shares voted by submitting a proxy or may vote in person at the Broadcom Special Meeting by following the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form. Broadcom shareholders holding their shares in street name and who wish to vote in person at the Broadcom Special Meeting must obtain a proxy issued in their name from the record holder and bring it with them to the Broadcom Special Meeting. Broadcom recommends that Broadcom shareholders entitled to vote submit a proxy even if they plan to attend the Broadcom Special Meeting.
Broadcom shareholders of record may submit a proxy in one of three ways:
| Internet: Broadcom shareholders may submit their proxy over the Internet at the web address shown on their proxy card or voting instruction form. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Pacific time on the day before the Broadcom Special Meeting. Shareholders will be given an opportunity to confirm that their voting instructions have been properly recorded. Broadcom shareholders who submit a proxy this way should NOT send in their proxy card or voting instruction form. |
| Telephone: Broadcom shareholders may submit their proxy by calling the toll-free telephone number shown on their proxy card or voting instruction form. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Pacific time on the day before the Broadcom Special Meeting. |
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Easy-to-follow voice prompts will guide shareholders through the voting and allow them to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. Broadcom shareholders who submit a proxy this way should NOT send in their proxy card or voting instruction form. |
| Mail: Broadcom shareholders may submit their proxy by properly completing, signing, dating and mailing their proxy card or voting instruction form in the postage-paid envelope (if mailed in the United States) included with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Broadcom shareholders who vote this way should mail the proxy card or voting instruction form early enough so that it is received before the date of the Broadcom Special Meeting. |
Broadcom shareholders are encouraged to submit a proxy promptly. Broadcom requests that Broadcom shareholders vote by telephone, over the Internet or by completing and signing the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction form and returning it to Broadcom as soon as possible in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. When the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction form is returned properly executed, the Broadcom Common Shares represented by it will be voted at the Broadcom Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained on the proxy card or voting instruction form. The decision of the chairman of the Broadcom Special Meeting as to the validity of any appointment of a proxy will be final.
Q: My shares are held in street name by my broker, or I am a beneficial shareholder. Will my intermediary automatically vote my shares for me?
A: No. The vote on the Broadcom Merger Proposal (as defined below), the Adjournment Proposal (as defined below) and the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal (as defined below) are considered non-routine matters, and your broker cannot exercise discretion to vote your Broadcom Common Shares. If you hold your Broadcom Common Shares in street name, you should follow the procedures provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Typically, you would submit your voting instructions by mail, by telephone or by Internet in accordance with the procedures provided by your broker.
Q: What will happen if I return my form of proxy or voting instruction form without indicating how to vote?
A: If any proxy card or voting instruction form is returned signed but without indication as to how to vote, the Broadcom Common Shares represented by the proxy will be voted FOR each proposal in accordance with the recommendation of the Broadcom board of directors.
Q: What constitutes a quorum?
A: A quorum for Broadcom is the presence at the Broadcom Special Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of holders of outstanding Broadcom Common Shares entitled to vote and representing at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of Broadcom Common Shares. Accordingly, Broadcom Common Shares representing 520,983,807 votes must be present in person or by proxy at the Broadcom Special Meeting to constitute a quorum. Abstentions (Broadcom Common Shares for which proxies have been received but for which the holders have abstained from voting) and broker non-votes, if any, will be included in the calculation of the number of Broadcom Common Shares represented at the Broadcom Special Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum has been achieved.
Q: What are the proposals on which Broadcom shareholders are being asked to vote?
A: There are three proposals that will be voted on at the Broadcom Special Meeting:
| the proposal to approve the Broadcom Merger, the Merger Agreement and the principal terms thereof, which are further described in the sections entitled The Transactions and The Merger Agreement (the Broadcom Merger Proposal); |
| the proposal to adjourn the Broadcom Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Broadcom Merger Proposal (the Adjournment Proposal); and |
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| the proposal to approve, by non-binding, advisory vote, compensation that will or may be paid or become payable by Broadcom to its named executive officers in connection with the Broadcom Merger, which is further described in the sections entitled Interests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the TransactionsGolden Parachute Compensation and Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Executive Compensation (the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal). |
Q: What vote is required to approve the Broadcom proposals?
A: Approval of the Broadcom Merger Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class A common stock and a majority of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class B common stock, voting as separate classes. Accordingly, a Broadcom shareholders failure to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the Broadcom Special Meeting, an abstention from voting, or the failure of a Broadcom shareholder who holds his or her shares in street name through a broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to such broker or other nominee, will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal.
Approval of the Adjournment Proposal and the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal requires a vote that satisfies two criteria: (i) the affirmative vote of shares holding a majority of the voting power of Broadcom Class A common stock and Broadcom Class B common stock, voting together, represented and voting, and (ii) the affirmative vote must constitute a majority of the voting power required to constitute a quorum. Accordingly, for purposes of the Adjournment Proposal and the Non-Binding Advisory proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome under clause (i), which recognizes only actual votes cast. However, abstentions and broker non-votes will affect the outcome under clause (ii) if the number of affirmative votes, though a majority of the votes represented and cast, does not constitute a majority of the voting power required to constitute a quorum.
See Special Meeting of Broadcom Shareholders.
Q: Are any Broadcom shareholders already committed to vote in favor of the proposals?
A: Yes. In connection with entering into the Merger Agreement, Holdco, Avago and Broadcom entered into support agreements (the Support Agreements) with Dr. Henry Samueli, the Chairman of the Broadcom board of directors, Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III and entities related to each of them, pursuant to which such shareholders, who hold a majority of the Broadcom Class B common shares, have agreed to vote all of the Broadcom Common Shares owned by them in favor of the Broadcom Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
As discussed above, approval of the Broadcom Merger Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class A common stock and a majority of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class B common stock, voting as separate classes. As of September 4, 2015, Dr. Samueli beneficially owned 101,070 Broadcom Class A common shares representing approximately 0.02% of the total issued and outstanding Broadcom Class A common shares (without giving effect to the Broadcom Class B common shares that are convertible into Broadcom Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis at any time at the option of the holder), and 21,745,402 Broadcom Class B common shares representing approximately 45% of the total issued and outstanding Broadcom Class B common shares. As of September 4, 2015, Dr. Nicholas beneficially owned 47,973 Broadcom Class A common shares representing approximately 0.01% of the total issued and outstanding Broadcom Class A common shares (without giving effect to the Broadcom Class B common shares that are convertible into Broadcom Class A common shares on a one-for-one basis at any time at the option of the holder), and 26,170,868 Broadcom Class B common shares representing approximately 54% of the total issued and outstanding Broadcom Class B common shares. Therefore, if the Broadcom Special Meeting is held to consider the Broadcom Merger Proposal, assuming compliance with the Support Agreements, a majority of the Broadcom Class B common shares will approve the Broadcom Merger Proposal.
As discussed above, approval of the Adjournment Proposal and the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal requires a vote that satisfies two criteria: (i) the affirmative vote of shares holding a majority of the voting power of Broadcom Class A common stock and Broadcom Class B common stock, voting together, represented and
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voting, and (ii) the affirmative vote must constitute a majority of the voting power required to constitute a quorum. As of June 30, 2015, Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas owned approximately 46% of the total voting power of the Broadcom Common Shares. See the section entitled Special Meeting of Broadcom ShareholdersShare Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of Broadcom Common Shares.
The obligation to vote in favor of the Broadcom Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal will terminate automatically upon termination of the Merger Agreement and certain other events. See the section entitled The Support Agreements.
Q: What are the recommendations of the Broadcom board of directors regarding the proposals being put to a vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting?
A: THE BROADCOM BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT BROADCOM SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE BROADCOM SPECIAL MEETING.
See the section entitled The TransactionsRecommendation of the Broadcom Board of Directors and its Reasons for the Transactions for a more complete description of the recommendations of the Broadcom board of directors. In considering the recommendations of the Broadcom board of directors, you should be aware that certain persons related to Broadcom may have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of Broadcom shareholders generally. See the section entitled The TransactionsInterests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the Transactions.
Q: Does my vote matter?
A: Yes, your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Broadcom Special Meeting, please vote as soon as possible by following the instructions in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The Transactions cannot be completed unless the Broadcom Merger Proposal is approved by Broadcom shareholders. For Broadcom shareholders, if you fail to submit a proxy or vote in person at the Broadcom Special Meeting, or vote to abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, it will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal.
Q: Can I change my vote after I have returned a proxy form or voting instruction form?
A: Yes. Broadcom shareholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time before their Broadcom Common Shares are voted at the Broadcom Special Meeting in any of the following ways:
| by sending a written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of Broadcom at Corporate Secretary, 5300 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, which must be received before their Broadcom Common Shares are voted at the Broadcom Special Meeting; |
| by properly submitting a later-dated, new proxy card or voting instruction form, which must be received before their Broadcom Common Shares are voted at the Broadcom Special Meeting (in which case only the later-dated proxy is counted and the earlier proxy is revoked); |
| by submitting a proxy via the Internet or by telephone no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the day before the Broadcom Special Meeting (in which case only the later-dated proxy is counted and the earlier proxy is revoked); or |
| attending the Broadcom Special Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Broadcom Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a vote or revocation of a prior proxy). |
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Q: What happens if I sell my shares before the Broadcom Special Meeting?
A: The Broadcom Record Date is September 25. If you transfer Broadcom Common Shares after the Broadcom Record Date but before the Broadcom Special Meeting, you will retain (subject to any arrangements made with the purchaser of your shares) your right to vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting. In order for Broadcom shareholders to receive consideration in the Broadcom Merger, they must hold their Broadcom Common Shares through the effective time of the Broadcom Merger.
Q: What rights will be available for dissenting Broadcom shareholders?
A: Broadcom shareholders who vote their Broadcom Common Shares AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal and who properly demand for the purchase of such shares in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL will not have those shares converted into the right to receive consideration otherwise payable for Broadcom Common Shares upon consummation of the Transactions. Those shares will instead be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due pursuant to Chapter 13 of the CGCL. A copy of Chapter 13 of the CGCL is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E. See the section entitled The TransactionsDissenters Rights for Broadcom Shareholders.
Q: Should I send certificates representing Broadcom Common Shares now?
A: Please DO NOT send any stock certificates or documents representing your ownership of Broadcom Common Shares at this time. You will receive a separate letter explaining what to do with your stock certificates closer to the consummation of the Transactions.
Q: Who can help answer my questions?
A: Broadcom shareholders who have questions about the proposals to be voted on at the Broadcom Special Meeting or desire additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or additional proxy cards or voting instruction forms should contact:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800) 322-2885
International Callers: (212) 929-5500
Registered shareholders who have questions regarding their share ownership may write Broadcoms transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, (800) 736-3001. Registered shareholders may call toll-free (800) 431-7723 or non-toll-free (312) 360-5193. Beneficial shareholders who hold their Broadcom Common Shares in street name should contact their broker for more information.
Questions and Answers for Avago Shareholders
Q: What will Avago shareholders receive in the Avago Scheme?
A: At the effective time of the Avago Scheme, all Avago Ordinary Shares will be transferred from Avago shareholders to Finance Holdco, as the entity designated by Holdco to receive such Avago Ordinary Shares. In consideration, Holdco will allot and issue to Avago shareholders one Holdco Ordinary Share for each such Avago Ordinary Share transferred by the Avago shareholders to Finance Holdco.
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Q: How will Avago shareholders be delivered the Avago Scheme Consideration?
A: At or immediately after the effective time of the Avago Scheme, Holdco will deposit with the Exchange Agent certificates or book entry shares representing the full number of Holdco Ordinary Shares issuable to former holders of Avago Ordinary Shares. The Exchange Agent will, promptly after the effective time of the Avago Scheme (and in any event within five business days after such time), mail to each holder of record of Avago Ordinary Shares held in certificated or book entry form whose shares were converted into the right to receive the Avago Scheme Consideration: (i) a letter of transmittal and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender or transfer of Avago Ordinary Shares in certificated or book entry form in exchange for payment of the Avago Scheme Consideration. Upon receipt of an agents message by the Exchange Agent in connection with the transfer of Avago Ordinary Shares in book entry form or surrender of Avago Ordinary Shares in certificated form, in each case together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and with such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Avago Ordinary Shares will be entitled to receive the Avago Scheme Consideration in exchange for such shares.
If you are not a registered shareholder and instead your shares are held in street name by your brokerage firm, bank, trust or other nominee, your account will be credited in accordance with your brokerage firm, bank, trust or other nominees applicable procedures.
Q: What will happen to my Avago equity awards in the Transactions?
A: At the effective time of the Avago Scheme, each outstanding Avago share option or restricted share unit award (whether vested or unvested) will be converted into an option to purchase Holdco Ordinary Shares or a Holdco restricted share unit award, respectively, covering the same number of Holdco Ordinary Shares as the number of Avago Ordinary Shares that were subject to such Avago share option or restricted share unit award as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Avago Scheme (each, an Avago Converted Equity Award). The per share exercise price of such Holdco share options will be the same as the per share exercise price of the related Avago share option as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Avago Scheme. Each Avago Converted Equity Award will be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Avago share option or restricted share unit award (including any applicable change in control or other accelerated vesting provisions, provided that in no event will the Transactions constitute a change in control for the purposes of such provisions).
Q: What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Avago Scheme to holders of Avago Ordinary Shares?
A: Assuming that the receipt of Holdco Ordinary Shares in exchange for Avago Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Avago Scheme, taken together with the Cash/Stock Merger, qualifies as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code and/or, taken alone, qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, except as described below with respect to a U.S. holder of Avago Ordinary Shares that owns, directly or by attribution, 5% or more of Holdco Ordinary Shares immediately after the consummation of the Avago Scheme (a 5% U.S. Holder), a U.S. Holder that receives Holdco Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Avago Scheme will not recognize any gain or loss with respect to the receipt of such Holdco Ordinary Shares. A 5% U.S. Holder that receives Holdco Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Avago Scheme will generally qualify for the treatment described above only if the 5% U.S. Holder timely files a gain recognition agreement, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 367(a) of the Code, with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS). You should review The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Avago Scheme to U.S. Holders of Avago Ordinary Shares for a discussion of the material tax consequences of the Avago Scheme to U.S. Holders of Avago Ordinary Shares. We also urge you to consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the Transactions to you.
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Q: What are the Singapore tax consequences of the Transactions to holders of Avago Ordinary Shares?
A: The transfer of Avago Ordinary Shares in consideration for the allotment and issue of Holdco Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Avago Scheme may be regarded as a disposal of the Avago Ordinary Shares for Singapore income tax purposes and a holder of the Avago Ordinary Shares may consequently need to recognize a gain or loss. Any gains considered to be in the nature of capital made from the disposal of the Avago Ordinary Shares will not be taxable in Singapore. However, any gains derived by any person from the disposal of the Avago Ordinary Shares which are gains from any trade, business, profession or vocation carried on by that person, if accruing in or derived from Singapore, may be taxable as such gains are considered income in nature.
Where an instrument of transfer is executed outside Singapore or no instrument of transfer is executed, no stamp duty is payable on the transfer of the Avago Ordinary Shares. However, stamp duty may be payable if the instrument of transfer is executed outside Singapore and is subsequently received in Singapore.
You should review The TransactionsMaterial Singapore Tax Considerations. We also urge you to consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the Transactions to you.
Q: What are the proposals on which Avago shareholders are being asked to vote?
A: Avago shareholders will be asked to vote on the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal.
Q: What are the recommendations of the Avago board of directors regarding the proposal being put to a vote at the Avago Court Meeting?
A: THE AVAGO BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT AVAGO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE AVAGO SCHEME PROPOSAL AND FOR THE EQUITY ISSUANCE PROPOSAL.
See the section entitled The TransactionsRecommendation of the Avago Board of Directors and its Reasons for the Transactions for a more complete description of the recommendations of the Avago board of directors. In considering the recommendations of the Avago board of directors, you should be aware that certain persons related to Avago may have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of Avago shareholders generally. See the section entitled The TransactionsInterests of Certain Persons Related to Avago in the Transactions.
Q: What quorum and shareholder votes are required to approve the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal?
A: A quorum is required for the transaction of business at the Avago Court Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Avago Court Meeting of the Scheme Shareholders (as defined below) as of the Avago Record Date holding between them at least a majority of the total number of issued Avago Ordinary Shares will constitute a quorum.
The affirmative vote of a majority in number of the Scheme Shareholders present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Avago Court Meeting, representing not less than 75% of the issued Avago Ordinary Shares held by the Scheme Shareholders present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Avago Court Meeting, is required for the approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal. The approval of the Equity Issuance Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Avago Ordinary Shares present and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy at the Avago Court Meeting.
Pursuant to the directions of the Singapore Court, for the purposes of determining the number of Scheme Shareholders present and voting at the Avago Court Meeting, Avago Ordinary Shares that are deposited in book
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entry form with The Depository Trust Company (DTC), and registered in the name of CEDE & Co. (CEDE) as nominee of DTC and holder of record in the Register of Members of Avago, will be treated as follows:
| CEDE shall be deemed not to be an Avago shareholder; and |
| each shareholder whose name appears on the register of DTC as a holder of Avago Ordinary Shares (a sub-depositor) shall be deemed to be an Avago shareholder in respect of such number of Avago Ordinary Shares held in its account under CEDE. |
Each sub-depositor need not vote the Avago Ordinary Shares registered in its name in the same way. Accordingly, a sub-depositor may:
| vote all or part of its Avago Ordinary Shares FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal, which part shall be counted as approving the Avago Scheme Proposal; |
| vote all or part of its Avago Ordinary Shares AGAINST the Avago Scheme Proposal, which part shall be counted as against approving the Avago Scheme Proposal; and/or |
| abstain from voting in respect of all or part of its Avago Ordinary Shares, which part shall not be counted in determining the Avago Ordinary Shares which are present and voting on the Avago Scheme Proposal. |
For purposes of determining whether the Avago Scheme Proposal is approved by a majority in number of Scheme Shareholders, if the number of Avago Ordinary Shares voted FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal by a sub-depositor exceeds the number of Avago Ordinary Shares voted AGAINST the Avago Scheme Proposal by it, such sub-depositor will be taken to have voted FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal, or if the number of Avago Ordinary Shares voted AGAINST the Avago Scheme Proposal by a sub-depositor exceeds the number of Avago Ordinary Shares voted FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal by it, such sub-depositor will be taken to have voted AGAINST the Avago Scheme Proposal.
An Avago shareholder (including a sub-depositor) voting by proxy shall be included in the count of Avago shareholders present and voting at the Avago Court Meeting as if that Avago shareholder was voting in person, such that the votes of a proxy who has been appointed to represent more than one Avago shareholder at the Avago Court Meeting shall be counted as the votes of such number of appointing Avago shareholders.
Each Avago shareholder represented in person or by proxy at the Avago Court Meeting is entitled to one vote per Avago Ordinary Share owned as of the Avago Record Date.
Q: When and where will the Avago Court Meeting be held?
A: The Avago Court Meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on November 10, 2015 at 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131. Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m., Pacific Time. Please allow ample time for the check-in procedures.
Q: How do I vote at the Avago Court Meeting?
A: Scheme Shareholders as of the Avago Record Date may vote by personally attending the Avago Court Meeting or attending by proxy, by completing and returning a proxy card.
If you hold your shares in street name through a broker, you will be able to exercise your vote through your broker by completing a voting instruction form. Most street name holders may also submit their voting instructions to their broker by telephone or by Internet. If shares are held in street name, beneficial holders must follow the procedures provided by their broker to vote.
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Q: If my Avago Ordinary Shares are held in street name by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?
A: No. The votes on the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal are considered non-routine matters, and your broker cannot exercise discretion to vote your Avago Ordinary Shares. If you hold your Avago Ordinary Shares in street name, you should follow the procedures provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. Typically, you would submit your voting instructions by mail, by telephone or by the Internet in accordance with the procedures provided by your broker.
All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly completed proxies received prior to the Avago Court Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. If a signed proxy card is returned without indicating how shares should be voted on a matter and the proxy is not revoked, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted as the Avago board of directors recommends and, therefore, FOR the approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal and FOR the approval of the Equity Issuance Proposal.
Q: How are votes counted?
A: You may vote FOR or AGAINST the approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal, or you may abstain from voting on either or both of the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast or shares voting on the proposal, but will count for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. The Singapore Court has directed that the votes of sub-depositors be counted in a specific manner, as described above.
Q: Does my vote matter?
A: Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of Avago Ordinary Shares you own. Avago and Broadcom cannot consummate the Transactions unless (1) the Avago Scheme Proposal is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority in number of Scheme Shareholders present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Avago Court Meeting, representing not less than 75% in value of the Avago Ordinary Shares held by the Scheme Shareholders present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Avago Court Meeting and (2) the Equity Issuance Proposal is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Avago Ordinary Shares present and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy at the Avago Court Meeting. For purposes of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Scheme Shareholders refer to (i) persons who are registered as holders of Avago Ordinary Shares in the Register of Members of Avago, other than CEDE, and (ii) persons who are registered as holders of Avago Ordinary Shares in book entry form on the register of the DTC, which shares are held through CEDE as the registered holder of the said Avago Ordinary Shares on the Register of Members of Avago.
Q: Can I revoke or change my vote?
A: Yes, Scheme Shareholders have the right to revoke a proxy at any time prior to voting at the Avago Court Meeting by (i) submitting a subsequently dated proxy, which, if not delivered in person at the meeting, must be received by Avago no later than 48 hours before the appointed time of the meeting or (ii) by attending the meeting and voting in person, provided that you are a Scheme Shareholder. If you hold Avago Ordinary Shares in street name through a broker, you should follow the procedures provided by your broker to revoke or change your vote.
Q: What happens if I sell my shares before the Avago Court Meeting?
A: If you transfer Avago Ordinary Shares after the Avago Record Date but before the Avago Court Meeting, you will retain (subject to any arrangements made with the purchaser of your shares) your right to vote at the meeting. In order for Avago shareholders to receive consideration under the Avago Scheme, they must hold their Avago Ordinary Shares through the effective time of the Avago Scheme.
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Q: What happens if I do not submit a proxy card?
A: Failure to submit a proxy card will make it more difficult for Avago to achieve the requisite thresholds it needs for approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal. Therefore, we urge all Avago shareholders to vote, and we request that you return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible, vote over the Internet or by telephone, or attend the Avago Court Meeting.
Q: Do Avago shareholders have appraisal or dissenters rights?
A: Once the Avago Scheme Proposal is approved by the requisite Scheme Shareholders, is approved by the Singapore Court and the order of the Singapore Court approving the Avago Scheme (Singapore Court Order) is lodged with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA), the Avago Scheme becomes effective and will be binding on all shareholders of Avago. Avago shareholders may file an objection with the Singapore Court against the approval of the Avago Scheme, but no appraisal or dissenting rights are available to shareholders in connection with a scheme of arrangement effected under Singapore law.
Q: Should I send certificates representing Avago Ordinary Shares now?
A: Please DO NOT send any share certificates or documents representing your ownership of Avago Ordinary Shares at this time. You will receive a separate letter explaining what to do with your stock certificates closer to the consummation of the Transactions.
Q: Who can help answer my questions?
A: Avago shareholders who have questions about the matters to be voted on at the Avago Court Meeting or desire additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or, when available, additional proxy cards or voting instruction forms, should contact:
Georgeson Inc.
480 Washington Boulevard, 26th Floor
Jersey City, New Jersey 07310
Shareholders Call Toll Free: (888) 680-1529
International Callers: +1 (781) 575-2137
Registered shareholders who have questions regarding their share ownership may write Avagos transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, (800) 736-3001. Registered shareholders may call toll-free (800) 431-7723 or non-toll-free (312) 360-5193.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning Avago, Broadcom, Holdco, Holdco LP, the proposed transactions and other matters. These statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs of the management of Avago and Broadcom, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. Forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as aim, anticipate, believe, plan, could, would, should, estimate, expect, forecast, future, guidance, intend, may, will, possible, potential, predict, project or similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the parties control. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on such statements.
Factors which could cause actual results to differ from those projected or contemplated in any such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following factors: (1) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the Transactions and timely regulatory approvals are not satisfied, including the risk that required approvals from the shareholders of Avago or the shareholders of Broadcom for the Transactions are not obtained; (2) litigation relating to the Transactions; (3) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the Transactions and the ability of each party to consummate the Transactions; (4) risks that the Transactions disrupt the current plans and operations of Avago or Broadcom; (5) the ability of Avago and Broadcom to retain and hire key personnel; (6) competitive responses to the Transactions; (7) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Transactions; (8) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transactions; (9) the combined companies ability to achieve the growth prospects and synergies expected from the Transactions, as well as delays, challenges and expenses associated with integrating the combined companies existing businesses and the indebtedness planned to be incurred in connection with the Transactions; and (10) legislative, regulatory and economic developments. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the risk factors contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus under the sections captioned Risk Factors as well as in Broadcoms and Avagos most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K, respectively, and Broadcoms and Avagos more recent reports filed with the SEC. Neither Broadcom nor Avago undertakes any intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
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The following is a summary of the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Transactions. This summary may not contain all of the information about the merger that is important to you. For a more complete description of the Transactions, Avago and Broadcom encourage you to read carefully this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the attached annexes. In addition, Avago and Broadcom encourage you to read the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, which includes important business and financial information about Avago and Broadcom. Shareholders of Avago and Broadcom may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions in the section entitled Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference beginning on page 329 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
This summary and the rest of this document contain forward-looking statements about events that are not certain to occur, and you should not place undue reliance on those statements; see the section entitled Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements for more information.
The Merger Agreement and the Transactions (pages 78 and 184)
Avago agreed to merge with Broadcom pursuant to the Merger Agreement in a transaction that will result in Avago and Broadcom becoming indirect subsidiaries of Holdco and Holdco LP. The Transactions will be effected in two primary steps. In the first step, Finance Holdco will acquire Avago pursuant to a scheme of arrangement under Singapore law, which will result in Avago becoming an indirect subsidiary of both Holdco and Holdco LP. In the second step, Cash/Stock Merger Sub (if the Cash/Stock Merger occurs) and Unit Merger Sub will merge with and into Broadcom, with Broadcom as the surviving corporation in such mergers, which will result in Broadcom becoming an indirect subsidiary of both Holdco and Holdco LP. Holdco will be the sole general partner of Holdco LP and will own a majority interest in Holdco LP (based on vote and value), with the balance of the partnership units of Holdco LP being held by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares who elected to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Transactions.
The Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read this document in its entirety; it is the principal document governing the Transactions and other related transactions.
Parties to the Merger Agreement (page 241)
Avago
Avago Technologies Limited is a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of semiconductor devices with a focus on analog III-V based products and complex digital and mixed signal complementary metal oxide semiconductor, or CMOS, based devices. Avago offers thousands of products that are used in end products such as smartphones, hard disk drives, computer servers, consumer appliances, data networking and telecommunications equipment, enterprise storage and servers, and factory automation and industrial equipment. Avago focuses on high performance design and integration capabilities.
Avago was incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore on August 4, 2005. The companys Singapore company registration number is 200510713C. The address of Avagos registered office and Avagos principal executive office is 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923, and its telephone number is +65-6755-7888.
Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a global leader and innovator in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications. Broadcoms strategy centers on designing highly-complex and highly-integrated semiconductor
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solutions that leverage Broadcoms leading IP portfolio and target a broad range of wired and wireless communications markets. Broadcom provides one of the industrys broadest portfolios of highly-integrated system-on-a-chip solutions, or SoCs, that seamlessly deliver voice, video, data and multimedia connectivity in the home, office and mobile environments.
Broadcom was incorporated in California in August 1991. Broadcoms principal executive offices are located at 5300 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, and Broadcoms telephone number at that location is (949) 926-5000. Broadcoms Internet address is www.broadcom.com.
Holdco
Pavonia Limited is a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Singapore on March 3, 2015. Ownership of Holdco was transferred on May 26, 2015 for the purpose of indirectly holding Avago and Broadcom following completion of the Transactions. From the date of incorporation to date, Holdco has not conducted any activities other than those incident to its formation and the taking of certain steps in connection with the Transactions, including the preparation of applicable filings under the U.S. securities laws and regulatory filings made in connection with the Transactions.
Holdco will be renamed Broadcom Limited promptly after the Effective Times. Holdco will remain the sole general partner of Holdco LP and will own a majority interest in Holdco LP (based on voting power and value).
The address of Holdcos registered office and its principal executive office is 1 Yishun Avenue 7, Singapore 768923, and its telephone number is +65-6755-7888.
Holdco LP
Safari Cayman L.P. is an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the general partner of which is Holdco. Holdco LP was formed for the purpose of indirectly holding Avago and Broadcom. To date, Holdco LP has not conducted any activities other than those incident to its formation, the execution of the Merger Agreement and the taking of certain steps in connection thereto, including the preparation of applicable filings under the U.S. securities laws and regulatory filings made in connection with the Transactions.
Following the consummation of the Transactions, Avago and Broadcom will each be an indirect subsidiary of Holdco LP. Holdco will remain the sole general partner of Holdco LP.
Holdco LPs principal executive office is located at P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Avago Technologies Cayman Holdings Ltd. (Intermediate Holdco)
Intermediate Holdco is a newly-formed, direct subsidiary of Holdco LP. Intermediate Holdco is an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands solely to effect the merger and has not conducted any business, other than in connection with the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby.
Avago Technologies Cayman Finance Limited (Finance Holdco)
Finance Holdco is a newly-formed, direct subsidiary of Intermediate Holdco. Finance Holdco is an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands solely to effect the merger and has not conducted any business, other than in connection with the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby.
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Buffalo CS Merger Sub, Inc. (Cash/Stock Merger Sub)
Cash/Stock Merger Sub is a newly-formed, subsidiary of Finance Holdco. Cash/Stock Merger Sub was incorporated in California solely to effect the merger and has not conducted any business, other than in connection with the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby.
Buffalo UT Merger Sub, Inc. (Unit Merger Sub)
Unit Merger Sub is a newly-formed, subsidiary of Finance Holdco. Unit Merger Sub was incorporated in California solely to effect the merger and has not conducted any business, other than in connection with the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby.
Consideration to be Received in the Transactions (page 186)
If the Transactions are completed, all Avago Ordinary Shares will be transferred from the Avago shareholders to Finance Holdco. In consideration, Holdco will allot and issue to the Avago shareholders one fully paid, duly authorized and validly issued ordinary share in the capital of Holdco for each such Avago Ordinary Share.
If the Transactions are completed:
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive cash, who fail to make a valid election or whose election is revoked (including by any subsequent transfer of such shares) in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares will receive $54.50 in cash per Broadcom Common Share with respect to such shares, subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement. |
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares will receive 0.4378 freely-tradeable Holdco Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share with respect to such shares, subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement. |
| Broadcom shareholders who make a valid election to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Broadcom Merger with respect to all or a portion of their Broadcom Common Shares will receive 0.4378 Restricted Exchangeable Units per Broadcom Common Share with respect to such shares. |
| Broadcom shareholders who dissent from the Transactions and who properly demand for the purchase of such shares in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL will not have those shares converted into the right to receive consideration otherwise payable for their Broadcom Common Shares, but those shares will instead be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due pursuant to Chapter 13 of the CGCL. |
Any cash or stock election by Broadcom shareholders is subject to proration in accordance with the Merger Agreement, as described in The TransactionsBroadcom Shareholder Election and Proration Procedures and The Merger AgreementConsideration to be Received; Broadcom Shareholder Elections as to Form of Consideration and Proration.
Value of the Consideration (page 76)
Avago Ordinary Shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol AVGO. Following the Transactions, shares of Avago will no longer continue to be traded on NASDAQ. Broadcom Class A common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol BRCM. Following the Transactions, Broadcom Class A common stock will no longer continue to be traded on NASDAQ.
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The following table shows the closing prices of Avago Ordinary Shares and shares of Broadcom Class A Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ on May 27, 2015, the last day before the public announcement of the transactions between Avago and Broadcom, and on September 14, 2015, the last practicable day before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The table also shows the equivalent value of the consideration per Broadcom Common Share if a shareholder receives 50% cash and 50% Holdco Ordinary Shares, which was calculated by adding (i) $27.25 and (ii) the closing price of a share of Avago as of the specified date multiplied by 0.2189, half of the exchange ratio. See also Comparative Per Share Market Price Data and Dividend Information.
Date |
Avago Ordinary Shares |
Broadcom Class A Common Stock |
Equivalent value of acquisition consideration per Broadcom Common Share |
|||||||||
May 27, 2015 |
$ | 141.49 | $ | 57.16 | $ | 58.22 | ||||||
September 14, 2015 |
$ | 131.19 | $ | 53.24 | $ | 55.96 |
Risk Factors (page 45)
There are a number of risk factors relating to the Transactions, Avago, Broadcom and Holdco, all of which should be carefully considered by Avago and Broadcom shareholders. For additional information regarding the risks you should consider in connection with the Transactions, see Risk Factors.
Comparison of the Rights of Holders of Avago Ordinary Shares, Broadcom Common Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares and Holdco LP Restricted Exchangeable Units (pages 267 and 288)
As a result of the Transactions, shareholders of Avago will become holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares. The rights of Avago shareholders are currently governed by Singapore law and Avagos memorandum of association and articles of association. If the Avago Scheme is completed, the rights of holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares will be governed by Singapore law and Holdcos articles of association (to be substantially either in the form attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex C-1 or Annex C-2). See Comparison of Certain Rights of Avago Ordinary Shares and Holdco Ordinary Shares.
As a result of the Transactions, shareholders of Broadcom who do not hold Cash Electing Shares or Dissenting Shares will become holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares and/or Restricted Exchangeable Units, as applicable. The rights of Broadcom shareholders are currently governed by the CGCL and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Broadcom. If the Broadcom Merger is completed, the rights of holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares will be governed by Singapore law and Holdcos articles of association. If the Broadcom Merger is completed, the rights of holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units will be governed by the Cayman Islands Limited Partnerships Act and the Partnership Agreement (to be substantially in the form attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D). See Comparison of Certain Rights of Holders of Broadcom Common Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units.
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Post-Transactions Organizational Structure (page 243)
The following are simplified organizational charts of Avago and Broadcom immediately before the commencement of the Transactions:
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The following is a simplified organizational chart showing the anticipated intercorporate relationships of Holdco and its material subsidiaries immediately following the completion of the Transactions:
Treatment of Avago Equity-Based Awards (page 191)
At the effective time of the Avago Scheme, each outstanding Avago share option or restricted share unit award (whether vested or unvested) will be converted into an Avago Converted Equity Award. The per share exercise price of each such Holdco share option will be the same as the per share exercise price of the related Avago share option as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Avago Scheme. Each Avago Converted Equity Award will be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Avago share option or restricted share unit award (including any applicable change in control or other accelerated vesting provisions, provided that in no event will the Transactions constitute a change in control for the purposes of such provisions).
Treatment of Broadcom Equity-Based Awards (page 192)
At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and unvested Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit award held by an individual who is eligible to be included on a registration statement filed by Holdco on Form S-8 will be assumed by Holdco and converted into an option to purchase a number of Holdco
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Ordinary Shares or an award of a number of restricted share units of Holdco Ordinary Shares, respectively (in each case, rounded down to the nearest whole share), equal to the sum of (i) the number of Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by 0.2189 plus (ii) the number of Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option or restricted stock unit immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by the quotient obtained by dividing $27.25 by the Avago Measurement Price. The exercise price per Holdco Ordinary Share for such converted Holdco options (which will be rounded up to the nearest whole cent) will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate exercise price for the Broadcom Common Shares subject to such Broadcom stock option immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger by (y) the aggregate number of Holdco Ordinary Shares to be subject to such converted Broadcom stock option calculated in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. All such Broadcom Converted Equity Awards will have the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Broadcom stock options or restricted stock unit awards, including with respect to any applicable change in control or other accelerated vesting provisions.
At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and vested Broadcom stock option will be cancelled and the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the positive difference, if any, calculated by subtracting the aggregate exercise of such option from the product of the number of vested shares subject to such option immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger multiplied by Equity Award Consideration.
At the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, each outstanding and vested Broadcom restricted stock unit award (including any Broadcom restricted stock unit award that becomes vested as a result of the Transactions) will be cancelled and the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of the number of shares subject to such restricted stock unit immediately prior to the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, multiplied by the Equity Award Consideration.
Restricted Exchangeable Units (page 261)
Immediately following the Transactions, Holdco will own a majority interest (by vote and value) in Holdco LP represented by common units of Holdco LP. The balance of the partnership units of Holdco LP will initially be held by former holders of Broadcom Common Shares in the form of newly issued Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The Restricted Exchangeable Units are designed to have distribution rights that are substantially equivalent to those of the Holdco Ordinary Shares. Specifically, pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, each Restricted Exchangeable Unit will be entitled to distributions from Holdco LP in an amount equal to any dividends or distributions that have been declared and are payable in respect of a Holdco Ordinary Share. In addition, each holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units will have the benefit of the Voting Trust Agreement to be entered into by and among Holdco LP, Holdco and the Trustee. The Trustee will hold a number of non-economic voting preference shares in the capital of Holdco equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Holdco Ordinary Shares receivable upon the exchange of the Restricted Exchangeable Units of Holdco LP outstanding as of immediately following the effective time of the Transactions and (ii) a number (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to 19.9% of the aggregate voting power of Holdco exercisable at such time. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement, the holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units can direct the Trustee, as their proxy, to vote on their behalf in votes that are presented to the holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares. See the section entitled Post-Transactions Organizational StructureDescription of Restricted Exchangeable Units.
After the Restricted Period, a holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units will have the right to require Holdco LP to repurchase any or all of the holders Restricted Exchangeable Units. During the Restricted Period, holders
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of Restricted Exchangeable Units may not require Holdco LP to exchange their Restricted Exchangeable Units. In addition, prior to the third anniversary following the closing of the Transactions, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of Holdco LP to repurchase such Restricted Exchangeable Units, and the holder of such Restricted Exchangeable Units shall not be permitted to exercise the Exchange Right, unless (i) Holdco has received a written opinion from an independent nationally recognized law or accounting firm that the exercise of the Exchange Right should not cause Holdco to be treated as (a) a surrogate foreign corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code) or (b) a domestic corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(b) of the Code) and (ii) Holdcos independent auditor has determined that no reserve shall be required for financial accounting purposes relating to Section 7874 of the Code as a result of the exercise of such Exchange Right. Holdco must act in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts (at its own cost) to obtain such opinion and determination as soon as reasonably practicable following the exercise by a holder of the Exchange Right. See Post-Transactions Organizational StructureDescription of Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The Restricted Exchangeable Units are not being offered to the public in the Cayman Islands, and no member of the public in the Cayman Islands will be permitted to acquire, whether by election or transfer, any limited partnership interest in Holdco LP.
Broadcom Shareholder Election and Proration Procedures (page 153)
Each holder of record of Broadcom Common Shares as of the close of business on the Election Record Date will be mailed an election form, along with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In order to make a valid election, Broadcom shareholders must return their properly completed and signed election form to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Election Deadline.
Each election form will permit the holder to specify the number of such holders Broadcom Common Shares with respect to which such holder makes an election to receive (i) cash, (ii) Holdco Ordinary Shares or (iii) Restricted Exchangeable Units. Any Broadcom Common Shares with respect to which the Exchange Agent has not received a properly completed, signed election form on or before the Election Deadline will be deemed to be Cash Electing Shares, and the holders of such shares will receive $54.50 in cash per share, subject to proration.
Cash Electing Shares and Stock Electing Shares are subject to proration, which causes the aggregate amount of cash paid and the aggregate number of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units issued to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, as a whole, to equal as nearly as practicable the total amount of cash and number of Holdco Ordinary Shares that would have been paid and issued if 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Stock Electing Shares and 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Cash Electing Shares.
Recommendation by the Avago Board of Directors (page 98)
At its meeting on May 27, 2015, the Avago board of directors unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement, the Transactions and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Avago and its shareholders, (ii) approved the Merger Agreement, the Avago Scheme, the Transactions and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (iii) subject to the other terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Avago approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions applicable to Avago contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Avago board of directors unanimously recommends that Avago shareholders vote FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal and FOR the Equity Issuance Proposal.
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In arriving at its determination, the Avago board of directors consulted with Avagos senior management and outside financial, accounting and legal advisors and considered a number of factors that it believed supported its determination. The Avago board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risks and other potentially negative factors concerning the Merger Agreement and the Transactions. The Avago board of directors concluded that the potential benefits that it expected Avago and its shareholders to achieve as a result of the Transactions outweighed the potentially negative factors associated with the Transactions.
Recommendation by the Broadcom Board of Directors and the Special Committee (pages 92 and 93)
By a vote at a meeting held on May 27, 2015, the Broadcom board of directors, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Transactions. Accordingly, the Broadcom board of directors recommends that Broadcom shareholders vote FOR each of the Broadcom Merger Proposal, the Adjournment Proposal and the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal at the Broadcom Special Meeting.
The Broadcom board of directors consulted with Broadcoms management and Broadcoms financial and legal advisors and, in reaching its determination and recommendation, the Broadcom board of directors considered a number of factors. The Broadcom board of directors also consulted with Broadcoms independent legal counsel regarding its obligations and the legal terms of the Merger Agreement and Broadcoms independent financial advisor regarding the financial terms of the Merger Agreement. Many of the factors considered favored the conclusion of the Broadcom board of directors that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders.
Opinion of Financial Advisor to Avago (page 121)
At the May 27, 2015 meeting of the Avago board of directors, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Deutsche Bank), financial advisor to Avago, rendered its oral opinion to the Avago board of directors, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 28, 2015, to the effect that as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions described in Deutsche Banks opinion, the Avago Scheme Consideration (taking into account the Broadcom Merger) was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of issued Avago Ordinary Shares.
The full text of Deutsche Banks written opinion, dated May 28, 2015, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations, qualifications and conditions on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is included as Annex I to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of Deutsche Banks opinion set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Deutsche Banks opinion was addressed to, and for the use and benefit of, the Avago board of directors in connection with and for the purpose of its evaluation of the Transactions. Deutsche Banks opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to how any holder of Avago Ordinary Shares should vote with respect to the Transactions or any related matter. Deutsche Banks opinion was limited to the fairness of the Avago Scheme Consideration (taking into account the Broadcom Merger), from a financial point of view, to the holders of outstanding Avago Ordinary Shares, and Deutsche Bank did not express any opinion as to the underlying decision by Avago to engage in the Transactions or the relative merits of the Transactions as compared to any alternative transactions or business strategies.
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Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom (page 102)
At the meeting of the Broadcom board of directors held on May 27, 2015, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (J.P. Morgan), rendered its oral opinion to the Broadcom board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in J.P. Morgans opinion, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, in the Combination was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. Combination refers to the Transactions, taken together as a single integrated transaction. J.P. Morgan subsequently confirmed its oral opinion by delivering its written opinion, dated May 28, 2015, to the Broadcom board of directors. No limitations were imposed by the Broadcom board of directors upon J.P. Morgan with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinion.
The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken, is attached as Annex G to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Broadcoms shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. J.P. Morgans written opinion is addressed to the Broadcom board of directors, is directed only to the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid in the Combination to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote with respect to the Transactions or any other matter, including, without limitation, whether any Broadcom shareholder should elect to receive cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units or make no election in the Combination. The summary of the opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not purport to be a complete description and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion.
Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcoms Special Committee (page 110)
On May 27, 2015, Evercore Group L.L.C. (Evercore) delivered to the Special Committee an oral opinion, which opinion was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 27, 2015, to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review by Evercore as set forth therein, the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
The full text of Evercores written opinion, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of Evercores review in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex H to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Broadcom shareholders are urged to read Evercores opinion carefully and in its entirety. Evercores opinion was directed to the Special Committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares. It does not address any other aspect of the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby and does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of Broadcom Common Shares as to how such shareholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the Broadcom Merger. Evercores opinion does not address the relative merits of the Broadcom Merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to Broadcom, nor does it address the underlying business decision of Broadcom to engage in the Broadcom Merger.
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Support Agreements (page 221)
Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III and Dr. Henry Samueli and entities affiliated with each of them have entered into Support Agreements with Holdco, Avago and Broadcom. Pursuant to the Support Agreements, such shareholders, in their capacities as shareholders of Broadcom, agreed to vote their Broadcom Common Shares at the Broadcom Special Meeting: (i) in favor of approval of the Broadcom Merger Proposal; (ii) in favor of approval of the Adjournment Proposal and (iii) in favor of any other matter contemplated by the Merger Agreement and necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that is considered at the Broadcom Special Meeting. Additionally, pursuant to the Support Agreements, such shareholders agreed to vote their Broadcom Common Shares against any Broadcom Acquisition Proposal.
In return, Broadcom agreed to indemnify each of Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Samueli, and certain of their respective representatives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against expenses, judgments and amounts paid in lawsuits and proceedings arising from the Support Agreements or the Merger Agreement and to reimburse Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Samueli severally for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each of them pertaining to the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreements and the transactions contemplated by such agreements up to an aggregate amount of $1.2 million each. Broadcoms indemnification and reimbursement obligations will survive any termination of the Merger Agreement or the Support Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. See The Support Agreements.
Post-Transactions Governance (page 244)
Upon completion of the Transactions, the Holdco board of directors is expected to be comprised of ten directors. Two directors of Holdco will be designated by Avago from the Broadcom board of directors prior to the closing of the Transactions. Dr. Samueli has been selected from the Broadcom board of directors by Avago to be one of such designees. The other designee from the Broadcom board of directors will be selected by Avago prior to closing. The remaining eight directors will be the current directors of Avago.
Following consummation of the Transactions, it is anticipated that the current executive officers of Avago will continue to serve as executive officers of Holdco. In addition, Dr. Samueli is expected to serve as Chief Technical Officer of Holdco following closing.
From time to time prior to the closing of the Transactions, decisions may be made with respect to the management and operations of Holdco following the completion of the Transactions, including the selection of additional executive officers of Holdco.
Interests of Certain Persons Related to Avago in the Transactions (page 143)
In considering the recommendation of the Avago board of directors with respect to the approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal, Avago shareholders should be aware that Avagos directors and executive officers have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of the Avago shareholders generally. The Avago board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Merger Agreement and the Transactions and making its recommendation that the Avago shareholders vote FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal and FOR the Equity Issuance Proposal.
Interests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the Transactions (page 136)
In considering the recommendation of the Broadcom board of directors with respect to the approval of the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Broadcom shareholders should be aware that Broadcoms directors and
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executive officers have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of the Broadcom shareholders generally. The Broadcom board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Merger Agreement and the Transactions and making its recommendation that the Broadcom shareholders vote FOR the Broadcom Merger Proposal, FOR the Adjournment Proposal and FOR the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal. See The TransactionsInterests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the Transactions for a detailed description of the material interests.
Court Meeting of Avago Shareholders (page 319)
By an order of the Singapore Court dated September 15, 2015, the Avago Court Meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on November 10, 2015 at 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131. The purpose of the Avago Court Meeting is to consider and vote upon the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal in connection with the Transactions. At the Avago Court Meeting, Avagos shareholders will be provided with the opportunity to decide whether they consider the Transactions (including the Avago Scheme) to be in their best interests. The Avago Record Date for determining the Scheme Shareholders who are entitled to vote at the Avago Court Meeting is September 25, 2015. See Court Meeting of Avago Shareholders for additional information on the Avago Court Meeting, including details regarding proxy and voting procedures.
Special Meeting of Broadcom Shareholders (page 309)
The Broadcom Special Meeting is scheduled to be held at Broadcoms principal executive offices located at 5300 California Avenue, Irvine, California 92617, on November 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, unless adjourned or postponed to a later date or time. At the Broadcom Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon: (i) the proposal to approve the Broadcom Merger, the Merger Agreement and the principal terms thereof; (ii) the proposal to adjourn the Broadcom Special Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Broadcom Merger Proposal and (iii) the proposal to approve, by non-binding, advisory vote, compensation that will or may become payable by Broadcom to its named executive officers in connection with the Broadcom Merger. The close of business on September 25, 2015 has been fixed as the Broadcom Record Date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Broadcom Special Meeting or any adjournments of the Broadcom Special Meeting (if necessary). See Special Meeting of Broadcom Shareholders for additional information on the Broadcom Special Meeting, including details regarding proxy and voting procedures.
Dissenters Rights (page 150)
Broadcom shareholders who vote their Broadcom Common Shares AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal and who properly demand the purchase of such shares in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL will not be converted into the right to receive consideration otherwise payable to Broadcom Common Shares upon consummation of the Transactions, but will instead be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due pursuant to Chapter 13 of the CGCL.
Under the CGCL, Broadcom Common Shares must satisfy each of the following requirements to qualify as Dissenting Shares: (i) the Broadcom Common Shares must have been outstanding on the Broadcom Record Date; (ii) the Broadcom Common Shares must have voted AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal; (iii) the holder of such Broadcom Common Shares must timely make a written demand that Broadcom repurchase such Broadcom Common Shares at Fair Market Value (as defined in Chapter 13 of the CGCL) and (iv) the holder of such shares of Broadcom Common Shares must submit certificates for endorsement.
A vote AGAINST the Broadcom Merger Proposal does not in and of itself constitute a demand for dissenters rights under California law. Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in
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Chapter 13 of the CGCL may result in the loss a shareholders statutory dissenters rights. A copy of Chapter 13 of the CGCL is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E. See the section entitled The TransactionsDissenters Rights for Broadcom Shareholders.
Avago shareholders may file an objection with the Singapore Court against the approval of the Avago Scheme, but no appraisal or dissenting rights are available to shareholders in connection with a scheme of arrangement effected under Singapore law.
Regulatory Approvals Required (page 148)
The Transactions are subject to certain antitrust laws. Avago and Broadcom filed the required HSR notifications on July 9, 2015 and cannot complete the Transactions until the applicable waiting period has terminated or expired, which means that the parties have satisfied the regulatory requirements under the HSR Act. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired on August 10, 2015.
Both Avago and Broadcom operate in the European Union. The EU Merger Regulation requires notification of and approval by the European Commission of mergers or acquisitions involving parties with worldwide and European Union sales exceeding specified thresholds. The parties filed a draft notification of the Transactions with the European Commission on July 20, 2015 and intend to file a formal notification at a later date.
Because Avago and Broadcom have sufficient revenues in China to exceed the statutory thresholds, completion of the Transactions is conditioned upon approval by the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China. Avago and Broadcom filed the required materials on July 27, 2015. Phase I of the review process will commence after the Ministry of Commerce formally accepts the filing. The Ministry of Commerce has not yet formally accepted the filing, and it may request additional information from Avago and Broadcom before doing so.
Avago and Broadcom derive revenues in other jurisdictions where merger or acquisition control filings or clearances are or may be required. The Transactions cannot be completed until after the applicable waiting periods have expired or been terminated or the relevant approvals have been obtained under the antitrust and competition laws of South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Avago and Broadcom intend to file the required notifications or other materials with the antitrust authorities in these jurisdictions at the appropriate time.
Avago and Broadcom will not complete the Transactions until the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has concluded any review or investigation of the Transactions, and either (i) a written notice issued that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the Transactions or (ii) if a report is sent to the President of the United States requesting the Presidents decision with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, then (x) the President has announced a decision not to take any action to suspend or prohibit the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (y) having received such report requesting the Presidents decision, the President has not taken any action after 15 days from the date the President received such report. On August 7, 2015, Avago and Broadcom filed a joint voluntary notification.
The Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers generally applies to any acquisition of voting rights in a public company with more than 50 shareholders and net tangible assets of S$5 million or more. In relation to the Avago Scheme, each of the Avago shareholders immediately prior to the effective time of the Avago Scheme will, upon the Avago Scheme becoming effective, become holders of an equivalent number of Holdco Ordinary Shares, and all of the shares in the capital of Avago will be indirectly held by Holdco. Accordingly, the Avago Scheme can be viewed as a restructuring of the manner in which the Avago shareholders hold their interests in Avago and not as a take-over of Avago that is subject to the provisions of the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers.
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In relation to the Broadcom Merger, if any of the Broadcom shareholders, together with parties acting concert with it, acquires 30% or more of the shares in Holdco, such Broadcom Shareholder will be deemed to have acquired effective control of Avago and will be required to comply with the relevant requirements under the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers, including the requirement to make a mandatory general offer. Since the Broadcom shareholders will collectively receive approximately 33% of Holdco Ordinary Shares (including Holdco Ordinary Shares issued on the exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units) in exchange for the Broadcom Common Shares held by them, on the basis that the Broadcom Merger will not result in any one of the Broadcom shareholders, together with parties acting in concert with it, acquiring 30% or more of the shares in Holdco, there is no change in effective control of Avago and therefore, there is no requirement to make a mandatory general offer in accordance with the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers.
As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part is declared effective by the SEC, Avago will make an application to the Singapore Court for an order to convene the Avago Court Meeting. Subsequent and subject to approval of the Avago Scheme Proposal, Avago will promptly apply to the Singapore Court for its approval and confirmation of the Avago Scheme.
For a detailed description of the necessary regulatory approvals, see The TransactionsRegulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Transactions.
Listing of Holdco Ordinary Shares (page 153)
It is a condition to the Transactions that Holdco Ordinary Shares be listed on NASDAQ upon official notice of issuance. Upon completion of the Transactions, Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Class A common stock will cease to be listed on NASDAQ.
Conditions to the Completion of the Transactions (page 214)
The completion of the Transactions depends upon the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, all of which, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, may be waived by Avago and/or Broadcom, as applicable.
The following conditions must be satisfied or mutually waived before Avago or Broadcom is obligated to complete the Transactions:
| each of the Broadcom Shareholder Approval and the Avago Shareholder Approval has been obtained; |
| no governmental authority having jurisdiction over Broadcom or any of the Avago Parties has (i) issued an order, decree or ruling or any other material action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of any of the Transactions substantially on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (ii) passed a law that makes consummation of any of the Transactions illegal; |
| approvals under the HSR Act, the Anti-Monopoly Law of 2008 of the Peoples Republic of China and European Union merger control regulations have been obtained and any waiting or suspensory periods related to such approvals have expired or been terminated, in each case, and all consents, approvals or clearances have been obtained; |
| the Registration Statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part has been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement has been issued by the SEC and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or threatened in writing by the SEC that have not been withdrawn; |
| the Holdco Ordinary Shares issuable in the Cash/Stock Merger and the Avago Scheme have been authorized and approved for listing on NASDAQ upon official notice of issuance; |
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| the CFIUS approval has been obtained; and |
| the Singapore Court Order has been granted by the Singapore Court and is final. |
The obligations of the Avago Parties to consummate the Transactions are also conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
| Broadcom has performed or complied with in all material respects its obligations, covenants and agreements in the Merger Agreement required to be performed and complied with by Broadcom at or prior to the closing; |
| certain representations and warranties made by Broadcom in the Merger Agreement relating to capitalization are true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing (other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which will be accurate as of such date), except for inaccuracies that do not, individually or in the aggregate, reflect an underrepresentation of the number of fully diluted Broadcom Common Shares of more than 0.375% from the figure represented in the Merger Agreement; |
| certain representations and warranties made by Broadcom in the Merger Agreement relating to organization, authority, consents and approvals, no violations, taxes, brokers and voting requirements are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing (other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which will be accurate as of such date); |
| the remaining representations and warranties made by Broadcom in the Merger Agreement are true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any materiality or material adverse effect qualifications) as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing (other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which will be accurate as of such date), except for breaches of representations and warranties which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Broadcom Material Adverse Effect (as defined on page 194 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus); |
| Avago has received a certificate dated as of the closing date and signed by an authorized officer of Broadcom to the effect that the conditions in the foregoing four bullet points have been satisfied; and |
| since the date of the Merger Agreement, no Broadcom Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is continuing. |
The obligations of Broadcom to consummate the Cash/Stock Merger and, if applicable, the Unit Merger are also conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
| each of the Avago Parties has performed or complied with in all material respects all of the respective obligations in the Merger Agreement required to be performed and complied with by the Avago Parties at or prior to the closing; |
| certain representations and warranties made by Avago in the Merger Agreement relating to organization, authorization, consents and approvals, brokers, capitalization and voting requirements are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing (other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which will be accurate as of such date); |
| certain representations and warranties made by Avago in the Merger Agreement relating to the taxes being true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing; |
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| the remaining representations and warranties made by Avago in the Merger Agreement are true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any materiality or material adverse effect qualifications) as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing (other than representations and warranties which by their terms are made as of a specific date, which will be accurate as of such date), except for breaches of representations and warranties which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an Avago Material Adverse Effect (as defined on page 194 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus); |
| Broadcom has received a certificate dated as of the closing date and signed by an authorized officer of Avago to the effect that the conditions in the foregoing four bullet points have been satisfied; |
| since the date of the Merger Agreement, no Avago Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is continuing; |
| there has been no material change in any statute, regulation, official interpretation of any statute or regulation or judicial decision after the date of the Merger Agreement adversely impacting Skaddens ability to deliver its tax opinion pursuant to the Merger Agreement; and |
| Skadden has received a tax representations certificate dated as of the closing date and signed by an authorized officer of Avago substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to the Merger Agreement. |
Financing (page 157)
Avago anticipates that the total funds needed to complete the Transactions would be $24.7 billion, including the funds needed to:
| pay Broadcom shareholders (and holders of its other equity-based interests) the cash amounts due to them under the Merger Agreement and pay expenses related to the Transactions, which would be approximately $18 billion based upon the number of Broadcom Common Shares and its other equity-based interests outstanding as of September 4, 2015; and |
| refinance substantially all of the indebtedness of Avago and Broadcom at the closing of the Transactions, which, as of August 2, 2015, was approximately $5.6 billion. |
Avago intends to fund this through a combination of (i) the cash on hand of both Avago and Broadcom and (ii) debt financing. Pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter, certain subsidiaries of Intermediate Holdco, which shall be the borrowers under the Facilities (as defined below) (collectively, the Borrowers) have committed financing for, as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, up to $18.5 billion under the Term Facilities (as defined below). In addition, pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter, the Borrowers have commitments equal to $500 million under the Revolving Facility (as defined below), which, along with the Term Facilities, may replace the existing credit facilities of Avago and Broadcom. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, neither Intermediate Holdco nor any of the Borrowers have entered into any definitive financing documentation for the Facilities, and, as a result, the actual terms of the Debt Financing (as defined below) may differ from those described herein. Avago may also access other financing sources, such as senior notes or convertible notes, or use cash on hand, as an alternative to or to supplement the above sources.
Material Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions (page 160)
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
For a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Avago and Broadcom shareholders in connection with the Transactions, see The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. Such summary is not intended to be legal or tax advice to any particular Avago or Broadcom shareholder. Avago and Broadcom shareholders should consult their own tax and legal advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
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Material Singapore Tax Considerations
For a summary of the material Singapore tax considerations applicable to Avago and Broadcom shareholders in connection with the Transactions, see The TransactionsMaterial Singapore Tax Considerations. Such summary is not intended to be legal or tax advice to any particular Avago or Broadcom shareholder. Avago and Broadcom shareholders should consult their own tax and legal advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
Accounting Treatment (page 147)
The proposed business combination will be accounted for as a business combination of Broadcom using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, and, accordingly, will generally result in the recognition of Broadcom assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. However, as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the valuation studies necessary to estimate the fair values of the assets acquired (including intangible assets, such as completed technology and trade names) and liabilities assumed have not been performed. The excess of the consideration transferred over the identifiable net assets acquired reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements will be allocated to goodwill. A final determination of these fair values will reflect appraisals prepared by independent third-parties and will be based on the actual tangible and intangible assets and liabilities that exist as of the acquisition date. The actual allocation of the consideration transferred may differ from the allocation assumed in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and may result in adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.
Avago agreed to acquire Broadcom pursuant to the Merger Agreement in a series of transactions that will result in Avago and Broadcom being indirect subsidiaries of Holdco and Holdco LP. Holdco and Holdco LP are newly-formed entities without significant pre-combination activities. Upon the closing of the Transactions, we estimate that former Avago shareholders will own approximately 67% of Holdco through ownership Holdco Ordinary Shares, and former Broadcom shareholders will own approximately 33% of the equity of Holdco through ownership of both Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units, in each case. Former Avago board members will hold a majority of board seats in the combined entity. Based on the foregoing and additional factors not listed above, Avago will be the acquirer in the Transactions for accounting purposes. See The TransactionsAccounting Treatment of the Transactions.
Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 216)
The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing in the following ways:
| by the mutual written consent of Avago and Broadcom; |
| by either Avago or Broadcom, if the closing has not occurred on or prior to February 29, 2016 (or August 29, 2016, if extended by either Avago or Broadcom if all conditions except for those related to the receipt of all required approvals from governmental authorities have been satisfied) (the Termination Date), except that the right to so terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to Avago or Broadcom if its material breach of the Merger Agreement is the cause of or resulted in the failure of the closing to occur by such date; |
| by either Avago or Broadcom, if any governmental authority of having jurisdiction over Broadcom or any of the Avago Parties has issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of any of the Transactions substantially on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and such order, decree, ruling or other action has become final and non-appealable, except that the right to so terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to Avago or Broadcom if its failure to comply with its obligations pursuant to the Merger Agreement is the cause of or resulted in the foregoing to occur; |
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| by either Avago or Broadcom, if the Avago Court Meeting concludes without the Avago Shareholder Approval having been obtained or if the Broadcom Special Meeting concludes without the Broadcom Shareholder Approval having been obtained; |
| by either Avago or Broadcom, if the Singapore Court refuses to grant an order convening the Avago Court Meeting or to grant the Singapore Court Order, and Avago has exhausted all rights of appeal; |
| by Broadcom, (i) if any Avago Party breaches any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of any of the Avago Parties fails to be true and correct, which breach or failure would cause the conditions precedent to Broadcoms obligations under the Merger Agreement not to be satisfied and cannot reasonably be cured within 30 days, and Broadcom is not in breach of any of the conditions precedent to Avagos obligations to close under the Merger Agreement, (ii) in order to accept a Broadcom Superior Proposal in accordance with the Merger Agreement or (iii) if, prior to the Avago Court Meeting, an Avago Change of Recommendation occurs; and |
| by Avago, (i) if Broadcom breaches any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Broadcom fails to be true and correct, which breach or failure would cause the conditions precedent to Avagos obligations under the Merger Agreement not to be satisfied and cannot reasonably be cured within 30 days, and Avago is not in breach of any of the conditions precedent to Broadcoms obligations to close under the Merger Agreement, (ii) in order to accept an Avago Superior Proposal in accordance with the Merger Agreement or (iii) if, prior to the Broadcom Special Meeting, a Broadcom Change of Recommendation occurs. |
Termination Fees; Effect of Termination (page 216)
In the event of a termination, the Merger Agreement will become void and of no effect except for certain sections of the Merger Agreement. Such termination will not relieve any party to the Merger Agreement of any liability for damages resulting from a material, intentional and knowing breach of the Merger Agreement.
Under the Merger Agreement, Broadcom will be required to pay Avago a termination fee of $1.0 billion if the Merger Agreement is terminated:
| by Broadcom, in order to accept a Broadcom Superior Proposal in accordance with the Merger Agreement; |
| by Avago, if a Broadcom Change of Recommendation has occurred prior to the Broadcom Special Meeting; |
| by Broadcom, if (i) the Transactions have not occurred by the Termination Date, (ii) the Broadcom Special Meeting has not taken place, (iii) the Avago Shareholder Approval has been obtained and (iv) a Broadcom Acquisition Proposal has been publicly disclosed after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to termination of the Merger Agreement by Broadcom and within 12 months of termination, Broadcom either (1) enters into a definitive agreement providing for any acquisition of (a) 50% or more of the outstanding Broadcom Common Shares pursuant to a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other similar form of business combination, sale of shares, tender offer, exchange offer or similar transaction or (b) all or substantially all of the assets of Broadcom and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such transaction, a Broadcom Qualifying Transaction) that is later consummated (regardless of whether such consummation occurs within the 12-month period) or (2) a Broadcom Qualifying Transaction occurs; or |
| by Avago or Broadcom, if (i) the Broadcom Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the Broadcom Special Meeting, (ii) a Broadcom Acquisition Proposal has been publicly disclosed after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the Broadcom Special Meeting and (iii) within 12 |
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months of termination, Broadcom either (y) enters into a definitive agreement with respect to a Broadcom Qualifying Transaction that is later consummated (regardless of whether such consummation occurs within the 12-month period) or (z) a Broadcom Qualifying Transaction occurs. |
Under the Merger Agreement, Avago will be required to pay Broadcom a termination fee of $1.0 billion if the Merger Agreement is terminated:
| by Avago, in order to accept an Avago Superior Proposal in accordance with the Merger Agreement; |
| by Broadcom, if an Avago Change of Recommendation has occurred prior to the Avago Court Meeting; |
| by Broadcom, if (i) the Transactions have not occurred by the Termination Date, (ii) the Avago Court Meeting has not taken place, and (iii) an Avago Acquisition Proposal has been publicly disclosed after the date of the Merger Agreement and within 12 months of termination, Avago either (1) enters into a definitive agreement providing for any acquisition of (a) 50% or more of the issued Avago Ordinary Shares pursuant to a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other similar form of business combination, sale of shares, tender offer, exchange offer or similar transaction or (b) all or substantially all of the assets of Avago and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such transaction, an Avago Qualifying Transaction) that is later consummated (regardless of whether such consummation occurs within the 12-month period) or (2) an Avago Qualifying Transaction occurs; or |
| by Avago or Broadcom, if (i) the Avago Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the Avago Court Meeting, (ii) an Avago Acquisition Proposal has been publicly disclosed after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to termination of the Merger Agreement and (iii) within 12 months of termination, Avago either (y) enters into a definitive agreement with respect to an Avago Qualifying Transaction that is later consummated (regardless of whether such consummation occurs within the 12-month period) or (z) an Avago Qualifying Transaction occurs. |
In circumstances where the full termination fee is not payable, in the event that either Avago or Broadcom terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of the failure by either partys shareholders to approve the Merger Agreement and the Transactions applicable to such party, Avago or Broadcom, as the case may be, must pay the other party a termination fee of approximately $332.6 million.
The payor of a termination fee shall not be required to pay the fee on more than one occasion. In the event a termination fee is paid, upon payment, the payor will have no further liability to the payee with respect to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, except that the payor is not released from liability for fraud or a material, intentional and knowing breach of the Merger Agreement.
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Comparative Per Share Market Price Data and Dividend Information (page 76)
The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low sales price as reported on NASDAQ per Avago Ordinary Share and per share of Broadcom Class A common stock.
For the calendar quarter ended: |
Avago Ordinary Shares |
Broadcom Class A Common Stock |
||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||
2015 |
||||||||||||||||
September 30 (through September 14, 2015) |
$ | 137.75 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 53.75 | $ | 45.30 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 150.50 | $ | 114.56 | $ | 57.70 | $ | 41.80 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 136.28 | $ | 95.18 | $ | 46.31 | $ | 40.21 | ||||||||
2014 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 105.00 | $ | 68.75 | $ | 44.33 | $ | 34.50 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 90.88 | $ | 68.71 | $ | 41.65 | $ | 36.55 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 72.50 | $ | 57.27 | $ | 38.85 | $ | 28.86 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 65.83 | $ | 51.89 | $ | 32.31 | $ | 28.30 | ||||||||
2013 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 54.54 | $ | 41.83 | $ | 29.75 | $ | 24.60 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 43.29 | $ | 35.75 | $ | 34.96 | $ | 23.25 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 38.87 | $ | 30.57 | $ | 37.85 | $ | 31.25 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 36.98 | $ | 32.09 | $ | 35.50 | $ | 32.12 | ||||||||
2012 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 35.58 | $ | 30.50 | $ | 35.00 | $ | 29.95 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 37.88 | $ | 32.14 | $ | 37.00 | $ | 28.60 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 39.01 | $ | 29.70 | $ | 39.23 | $ | 30.95 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 39.22 | $ | 28.02 | $ | 39.66 | $ | 29.00 |
The table below sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, quarterly dividends paid per Avago Ordinary Share, in U.S. dollars per share. On September 25, the Avago Record Date, there were 275,998,783 Avago Ordinary Shares in the issued capital of Avago. Avago pays quarterly dividends with respect to Avago Ordinary Shares.
Fiscal Period: |
Date Paid | $ Per Share | ||||
Fiscal Year 2015 |
||||||
Third Quarter (ended August 2, 2015) |
June 30 | $ | 0.40 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 3, 2015) |
March 31 | $ | 0.38 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 1, 2015) |
December 31 | $ | 0.35 | |||
Fiscal Year 2014 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended November 2, 2014) |
September 30 | $ | 0.32 | |||
Third Quarter (ended August 3, 2014) |
June 30 | $ | 0.29 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 4, 2014) |
March 31 | $ | 0.27 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 2, 2014) |
December 31 | $ | 0.25 | |||
Fiscal Year 2013 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended November 3, 2013) |
September 30 | $ | 0.23 | |||
Third Quarter (ended August 4, 2013) |
June 28 | $ | 0.21 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 5, 2013) |
April 4 | $ | 0.19 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 3, 2013) |
December 28 | $ | 0.17 | |||
Year 2012 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended October 28, 2012) |
October 1 | $ | 0.16 | |||
Third Quarter (ended July 29, 2012) |
June 29 | $ | 0.15 | |||
Second Quarter (ended April 29, 2012) |
March 30 | $ | 0.13 | |||
First Quarter (ended January 29, 2012) |
December 30 | $ | 0.12 |
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The table below sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, quarterly dividends paid per Broadcom Common Share, in U.S. dollars per share. On September 25, the Broadcom Record Date, there were 608,853,133 Broadcom Common Shares outstanding. Broadcom pays quarterly dividends with respect to Broadcom Common Shares.
Fiscal Period: |
Date Paid | $ Per Share | ||||
Fiscal Year 2015 |
||||||
Third Quarter (through September 14, 2015) |
August 26 | $ | 0.14 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2015) |
June 15 | $ | 0.14 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2015) |
March 2 | $ | 0.14 | |||
Fiscal Year 2014 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2014) |
December 15 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2014) |
September 15 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2014) |
June 16 | $ | 0.12 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2014) |
March 3 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Fiscal Year 2013 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2013) |
December 9 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2013) |
September 16 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2013) |
June 17 | $ | 0.11 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2013) |
March 4 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Year 2012 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2012) |
December 10 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2012) |
September 17 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2012) |
June 18 | $ | 0.10 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2012) |
March 5 | $ | 0.10 |
For further information, see Comparative Per Share Market Price Data and Dividend Information.
Summary of Financial Information (page 67)
Certain selected historical consolidated financial information of Avago is presented in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to assist Avago shareholders in their analysis of the financial aspects of the Transactions. The selected historical consolidated financial data has been derived from data for Avago as of and for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013, October 28, 2012, October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010 and as of and for the fiscal quarters ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014. The consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013 and October 28, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of November 2, 2014 and November 3, 2013 have been obtained from Avagos audited consolidated financial statements included in Avagos Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal quarters ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of August 2, 2015 have been obtained from Avagos unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Avagos Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Certain selected historical consolidated financial data for Broadcom is presented in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to assist Broadcom shareholders in their analysis of the financial aspects of the Transactions. The selected historical consolidated financial data has been derived from data for Broadcom as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and as of and for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from Broadcoms audited consolidated financial statements included in Broadcoms Annual Report on
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Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2015 have been derived from Broadcoms unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Broadcoms Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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In addition to the other information included or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed under Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements, Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders should carefully consider the following risks in connection with their consideration of the Transactions and before deciding whether to vote for approval of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions. In addition, shareholders of Avago and shareholders of Broadcom should read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of Avago and Broadcom because these risks will relate to the combined company. Certain of these risks can be found in Avagos Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2015, each of which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in Broadcoms Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, each of which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should also consider the other information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference on page 329.
Risk Factors Relating to the Transactions
The Transactions are subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties control, and if these conditions are not satisfied, the Transactions will not be completed.
The Merger Agreement contains a number of conditions that must be fulfilled to complete the Transactions. Those conditions include, among other customary conditions, approval by Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders of the Transactions, no material action being taken by any governmental entity enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of any of the Transactions, no law passed by any governmental entity making the consummation of the Transactions illegal, receipt of required regulatory approvals, approval by NASDAQ for listing of the Holdco Ordinary Shares to be allotted and issued in the Broadcom Merger and the Avago Scheme, approval by the Singapore Court of the Avago Scheme, accuracy of representations and warranties of the parties to the applicable standard provided by the Merger Agreement, no event occurring that had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Avago or Broadcom, compliance by the parties with their covenants in the Merger Agreement in all material respects, and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, as well as other customary closing conditions.
The required satisfaction of the foregoing conditions could delay the completion of the Transactions for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Transactions could cause the combined company not to realize some or all of the benefits that the parties expect the combined company to achieve. Further, there can be no assurance that the conditions to the closing of the Transactions will be satisfied or waived or that the Transactions will be completed.
In addition, if the Transactions are not completed by February 29, 2016 (subject to potential extensions to August 29, 2016, in the event receipt of certain required regulatory approvals is the only condition to closing that has not been satisfied), either Avago or Broadcom may choose to terminate the Merger Agreement. Avago or Broadcom may also elect to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain other circumstances, and the parties can mutually decide to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time prior to the closing, before or after shareholder approval, as applicable. See The Merger AgreementTermination of the Merger Agreement and Transaction Expenses and Termination Fees for a more detailed description of these circumstances.
Failure to complete the Transactions could negatively impact the share prices and the future business and financial results of either or both of Avago and Broadcom.
If the Transactions are not completed, the ongoing businesses of either or both of Avago and Broadcom may be adversely affected. Additionally, if the Transactions are not completed and the Merger Agreement is
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terminated, in certain circumstances Avago or Broadcom may be required to pay the other party a termination fee of $1.0 billion. Additionally, in the event that either Avago or Broadcom terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of the failure by either partys shareholders to approve the Transactions, Avago or Broadcom, as the case may be, must pay the other party a fee of approximately $332.6 million. In addition, Avago and Broadcom have and will continue to incur significant transaction expenses in connection with the Transactions regardless of whether the Transactions are completed. See The Merger AgreementTermination of the Merger Agreement and The Merger AgreementTransaction Expenses and Termination Fees for a more detailed description of these circumstances.
The foregoing risks, or other risks arising in connection with the failure to consummate the Transactions, including the diversion of management attention from conducting the business of the respective companies and pursuing other opportunities during the pendency of the Transactions, may have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations, financial results and share and stock prices of Avago and Broadcom. Either or both of Avago or Broadcom could also be subject to litigation related to any failure to consummate the Transactions or any related action that could be brought to enforce a partys obligations under the Merger Agreement.
There can be no assurance that Avago will be able to secure the funds necessary to pay the cash portion of the Broadcom Merger Consideration and refinance Avagos existing indebtedness on acceptable terms, in a timely manner, or at all.
Avago intends to fund the cash consideration to be paid to holders of Broadcom Common Shares in the Broadcom Merger and to refinance certain of the parties existing indebtedness with a combination of cash on hand of the companies and debt financing. To this end, Intermediate Holdco has entered into the Debt Commitment Letter containing commitments as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for term loan facilities in an aggregate amount of up to $18.5 billion and a $500 million revolving credit facility. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, neither Avago nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into definitive agreements for such debt financing (or any equity issuance or other financing arrangements in lieu thereof). There can be no assurance that Avago will be able to secure such debt financing pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter.
In the event that the debt financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter is not available, other financing may not be available on acceptable terms, in a timely manner, or at all. If Avago is unable to secure alternative financing, the Transactions may not be completed and Avago could be liable to Broadcom for breach of the Merger Agreement in connection with its failure to consummate the Transactions.
Litigation filed against Avago and Broadcom could prevent or delay the completion of the Transactions or result in the payment of damages following completion of the Transactions.
Avago, Broadcom and members of their respective board of directors are currently and may in the future be parties, among others, to various claims and litigation related to the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including putative shareholder class actions. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs in such matters, are seeking to enjoin the Transactions. The results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict, and could delay or prevent the Transactions from becoming effective in a timely manner. The existence of litigation relating to the Transactions could impact the likelihood of obtaining the required shareholder approvals from either Avago or Broadcom. Moreover, the pending litigation is, and any future additional litigation could be, time consuming and expensive, could divert Avagos and Broadcoms managements attention away from their regular business, and, if any one of these lawsuits is adversely resolved against either Avago or Broadcom, could have a material adverse effect on their respective financial condition. For additional information regarding the pending litigation matters, please see the section entitled The TransactionsLitigation Relating to the Transactions beginning on page 160 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
One of the conditions to the closing of the Transactions is that no governmental entity having jurisdiction over Avago or Broadcom shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other material action enjoining
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or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of any of the Transactions substantially on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and that no law shall have been enacted or promulgated by any governmental entity that makes the consummation of any of the Transactions illegal. Consequently, if a settlement or other resolution is not reached in the lawsuits referenced above and the plaintiffs secure injunctive or other relief prohibiting, delaying or otherwise adversely affecting Avagos and/or Broadcoms ability to complete the Transactions on the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement, then such injunctive or other relief may prevent the Transactions from becoming effective in a timely manner or at all.
Because Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders entitled to receive Holdco Ordinary Shares will receive a fixed number of such shares for each Avago Ordinary Share or Broadcom Common Share they hold (subject to, in the case of Broadcom Common Shares, the proration provisions of the Merger Agreement), regardless of any changes in market value of Avago Ordinary Shares or Broadcom Common Shares before the completion of the Transactions, Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders cannot be sure of the market value of the Holdco Ordinary Shares they will receive.
The number of Holdco Ordinary Shares that will be allotted and issued to Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders as a result of the Transactions will not be adjusted in the event of any increase or decrease in the share price of either Avago Ordinary Shares or Broadcom Common Shares between the date of execution of the Merger Agreement (May 28, 2015) and the completion of the Transactions, and the parties do not have a right to terminate the Merger Agreement based upon changes in the market price of Avago Ordinary Shares or Broadcom Common Shares.
Accordingly, the dollar value of the Holdco Ordinary Shares that Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders will receive upon completion of the Transactions (subject to, in the case of Broadcom Common Shares, the proration provisions of the Merger Agreement) will depend upon the market value of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares at the time of completion of the Transactions, which may be different from, and lower than, the closing prices of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares on the last full trading day preceding public announcement that Avago and Broadcom entered into the Merger Agreement, the last full trading day prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the dates of the Avago Court Meeting and the Broadcom Special Meeting. Moreover, completion of the Transactions may occur some time after the requisite shareholder approvals have been obtained. The market values of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares have varied since Avago and Broadcom entered into the Merger Agreement and will continue to vary in the future due to changes in the business, operations and prospects of Avago and Broadcom, market assessments of the Transactions, third-party acquisition proposals, regulatory considerations, market and economic considerations, and other factors both within and beyond the control of Avago and Broadcom. See Comparative Per Share Market Price Data and Dividend Information for additional information on the market value of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares.
Broadcom shareholders may receive a portion of their consideration in a different form from that which they elect.
As a result of the Transactions, each issued and outstanding Broadcom Common Share, other than dissenting shares, will be converted into the right to receive cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares and/or Restricted Exchangeable Units. See The Merger AgreementConsideration to be Received; Broadcom Shareholder Elections as to Form of Consideration and Proration for additional information on the election procedures for Broadcom shareholders.
Although each Broadcom Shareholder may elect to receive all cash or all Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Transactions, such elections are subject to proration procedures as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The pool of cash and the number of Holdco Ordinary Shares available for all Broadcom shareholders will be fixed at the aggregate amount of cash that would have been paid, and the aggregate number of Holdco Ordinary Shares that would have been allotted and issued, to all of the holders of Broadcom Common Shares if 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Stock Electing Shares and 50% of the Broadcom Common Shares were Cash Electing
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Shares. As a result, if the aggregate number of shares with respect to which either cash elections or Holdco Ordinary Share elections have been made would otherwise result in payments of cash or shares in excess of the maximum amount of cash or number of Holdco Ordinary Shares available, and a Broadcom shareholder has chosen the consideration election that exceeds the maximum available, such Broadcom shareholder will receive consideration in part in a form that such shareholder did not elect.
The mix of consideration payable to Broadcom shareholders who make cash elections or Holdco Ordinary Share elections, giving effect to the proration procedure, will not be known until Holdco tallies the results of the elections made by Broadcom shareholders, which will not occur until shortly prior to the closing of the Transactions. As a result, Broadcom shareholders who make cash elections or Holdco Ordinary Share elections cannot determine the exact amount of cash and the exact number of Holdco Ordinary Shares that they will receive in the Transactions prior to making an election. This could result in, among other things, tax consequences that differ from those that would have resulted if such Broadcom shareholder had received the form of consideration that the shareholder elected.
For illustrative examples of how the proration procedures would work in the event there is an oversubscription of the cash election or shares election in the arrangement, see The Merger AgreementConsideration to be Received in the Transactions; Broadcom Shareholder Elections as to Form of Consideration and Proration.
Some of the directors and executive officers of Avago and Broadcom have interests in the Transactions that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders generally.
The directors and executive officers of Avago and Broadcom may have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to or may be deemed to conflict with, the interests of Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders generally. These interests include the continued employment of certain executive officers of Avago and Broadcom by Holdco, the continued positions of the directors of Avago and two Broadcom directors (one of whom will be Dr. Henry Samueli) as directors of Holdco and the indemnification of former Avago and Broadcom directors and officers by Holdco. Additional interests of Broadcom directors and executive officers include, but are not limited to, the treatment in the Transactions of employment agreements with change of control provisions, change in control severance programs, stock options, restricted stock units (including, with respect to Broadcom officers and directors, accelerated vesting provisions that apply in the Transactions) and other rights held by these directors and executive officers. Broadcom has also agreed to pay certain costs and expenses (up to a cap of $1.2 million each as set forth in the Support Agreements) of each of Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III and Dr. Henry Samueli and entities affiliated with each of them relating to the Merger Agreement and their respective Support Agreements and to indemnify such shareholders and certain of their respective representatives against certain claims relating to the Merger Agreement and their respective Support Agreements. Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders should be aware of these interests when they consider the recommendations of the respective boards of directors of Avago and Broadcom with respect to the Transactions. For a discussion of the interests of directors and executive officers in the Transactions, see The TransactionsInterests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the Transactions and The TransactionsInterests of Certain Persons Related to Avago in the Transactions beginning on page 136.
Uncertainty about the Transactions may adversely affect the relationships of Avago and Broadcom with their respective customers, suppliers and employees, whether or not the Transactions are completed.
In response to the announcement of the Transactions, existing or prospective customers or suppliers of Avago or Broadcom may:
| delay, defer or cease purchasing goods or services from or providing goods or services to Avago, Broadcom or Holdco; |
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| delay or defer other decisions concerning Avago, Broadcom or Holdco, or refuse to extend credit to Avago, Broadcom or Holdco; or |
| otherwise seek to change the terms on which they do business with Avago, Broadcom or Holdco. |
Any such delays or changes to terms could seriously harm the business of each company or, if the Transactions are completed, Holdco.
In addition, as a result of the Transactions, current and prospective employees could experience uncertainty about their future with Avago, Broadcom or Holdco. These uncertainties may impair each companys or Holdcos ability to retain, recruit or motivate key management, sales, marketing, engineering, technical and other personnel.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that limit each partys ability to pursue alternatives to the Transactions, could discourage a potential competing acquiror of either Avago or Broadcom from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require either party to pay a termination fee of up to $1.0 billion to the other party.
The Merger Agreement prohibits Avago, Broadcom and their respective officers, directors and employees from, and requires each of Avago and Broadcom to use reasonable best efforts to cause their respective representatives to refrain from, soliciting, participating in negotiations with respect to, or approving or recommending any third-party proposal for an alternative transaction, subject to exceptions set forth in the Merger Agreement relating to the receipt of unsolicited offers that may be deemed to be superior proposals. If the Merger Agreement is terminated by either party in order to enter into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal or by either party after the other partys board of directors has changed its recommendation regarding the Transactions, then Avago or Broadcom, as applicable, may be required to pay a termination fee of $1.0 billion to the other party.
These provisions could discourage a potential third-party acquiror or merger partner that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of Avago or Broadcom or pursuing an alternative transaction from considering or proposing such a transaction, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share cash or market value than the consideration in the Transactions, or might result in a potential third-party acquiror or merger partner proposing to pay a lower price to Avago shareholders or Broadcom shareholders than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee of $1.0 billion that may become payable in certain circumstances.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated and either Avago or Broadcom determines to seek another business combination, Avago or Broadcom, as applicable, may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the Transactions.
Any delay in completing the Transactions may significantly reduce the benefits expected to be obtained from the Transactions.
In addition to the required regulatory clearances and approvals, the Transactions are subject to a number of other conditions that are beyond the control of Avago and Broadcom and that may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect completion of the Transactions. Avago and Broadcom cannot predict whether and when these other conditions will be satisfied. Further, the requirements for obtaining the required clearances and approvals could delay the completion of the Transactions for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Transactions may significantly reduce the synergies and other benefits that Avago and Broadcom expect to achieve if they successfully complete the Transactions within the expected timeframe and integrate their respective businesses. See The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Transactions.
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The Transactions are subject to the expiration of applicable waiting periods under and the receipt of approvals, consents or clearances from domestic and foreign antitrust regulatory authorities that may impose conditions that could have an adverse effect on Avago, Broadcom or the combined company or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the Transactions.
Before the Transactions may be completed, any waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the merger must have expired or been terminated, and any approvals, consents or clearances required in connection with the Transactions must have been obtained, in each case, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act) and under antitrust laws in the European Union, China and certain other foreign jurisdictions. In deciding whether to grant the required regulatory approval, consent or clearance, the relevant governmental entities will consider the effect of the Transactions on competition within their relevant jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the approvals, consents and clearances that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined companys business and which may adversely affect the financial position and prospects of the combined company and its ability to achieve the cost savings and other synergies projected to result from the Transactions.
Under the Merger Agreement, Avago and Broadcom have agreed to take any and all actions necessary to obtain any consents, clearances or approvals (provided that such actions do not reduce the reasonably anticipated benefits to Avago, including anticipated synergies, of the Transactions in an amount that is financially material relative to the value of Broadcom and its subsidiaries, as a whole) and therefore may be required to comply with conditions or limitations imposed by governmental antitrust authorities. There can be no assurance that antitrust regulators will not impose unanticipated conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the Transactions or imposing additional costs on or limiting the revenues of the combined company following the completion of the Transactions and which may adversely affect the financial position and prospects of the combined company and its ability to achieve the cost savings and other synergies projected to result from the Transactions. In addition, neither Broadcom nor Avago can provide assurance that any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the Transactions. For a more detailed description of the regulatory review process, see the sections entitled The TransactionsRegulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Transactions and The Merger Agreement.
The Transactions are subject to the receipt of a CFIUS (as defined below) clearance that may impose measures to protect U.S. national security or other conditions that could have an adverse effect on Avago, Broadcom, or the combined company, or, if not obtained, could prevent completion of the Transactions.
Before the Transactions may be completed, a clearance must be obtained from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). In deciding whether to grant clearance, CFIUS will consider the effect of the Transactions on U.S. national security and other factors within its relevant jurisdiction. As a condition to its clearance, CFIUS may take measures and impose conditions to protect U.S. national security, certain of which may materially and adversely affect the combined companys operating results due to the imposition of requirements, limitations or costs or placement of restrictions on the conduct of the combined companys business and which may adversely affect the financial position and prospects of the combined company and its ability to achieve the cost savings and other synergies projected to result from the Transactions. There can be no assurance that CFIUS will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions, or that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying completion of the Transactions or imposing additional material costs on, or materially limiting the revenues of, the combined company following the Transactions. Under the Merger Agreement, Avago and Broadcom have agreed to take commercially reasonable actions to obtain the CFIUS clearance and therefore may be required to comply with commercially reasonable conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions. For a more detailed description of the regulatory review process, see the sections entitled The TransactionsRegulatory Approvals Required to Complete the Transactions and The Merger Agreement.
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Until the completion of the Transactions or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, in consideration of the agreements made by the parties in the Merger Agreement, Avago and Broadcom are each prohibited from entering into certain transactions and taking certain actions that might otherwise be beneficial to Avago or Broadcom and their respective shareholders.
Until the Transactions are completed, the Merger Agreement restricts Avago and Broadcom from taking specified actions without the consent of the other party, and requires each of Avago and Broadcom to operate in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices. These restrictions may prevent Avago and/or Broadcom from making appropriate changes to their respective businesses or pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the Transactions. See The Merger AgreementInterim Operations of Avago and Broadcom for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to Avago and Broadcom.
The Transactions could have an adverse effect on the Avago and Broadcom brands.
The success of Avago and Broadcom is largely dependent upon the ability of Avago and Broadcom to maintain and enhance the value of their respective brands, their customers connection to and perception of the brands, and a positive relationship with customers and suppliers. Brand value, and as a result the businesses and results of operations of Avago and Broadcom, could be severely damaged if the Transactions receive considerable negative publicity or if customers or suppliers otherwise come to have a diminished view of the brands as a result of the Transactions or the common ownership of the existing businesses.
Risks Relating to Holdco Ordinary Shares
Sales of substantial amounts of Holdco Ordinary Shares in the open market by former shareholders could depress the share price of Holdco.
Other than shares held by affiliates of Avago or Broadcom, Holdco Ordinary Shares that are allotted and issued to holders of Avago Ordinary Shares or holders of Broadcom Common Shares will be freely tradable by the former shareholders of Avago and Broadcom without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act.
As of September 14, 2015, Avago had approximately 275,796,067 ordinary shares issued and approximately 27,054,123 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options, restricted share units and other rights to purchase or acquire its shares. As of September 14, 2015, Broadcom had approximately 560,668,365 shares of Class A common stock and 48,123,831 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and approximately 26,133,988 shares of Class A common stock subject to outstanding options, restricted stock units and other rights to purchase or acquire its shares. Holdco currently expects that it will allot and issue approximately 409,060,679 Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units in connection with the Transactions. In addition, upon completion of the Transactions, Holdco will assume outstanding options and restricted stock units issued under Avago and Broadcom equity plans that will relate to approximately 38,469,448 Holdco Ordinary Shares.
If the Transactions are completed and if Holdcos shareholders sell substantial amounts of Holdco Ordinary Shares in the public market following the completion of the Transactions, including shares allotted and issued upon the vesting or exercise of outstanding stock options or restricted stock units, the market price of Holdco Ordinary Shares may decrease. These sales might also make it more difficult for Holdco to sell equity or equity-related securities at a time and price that it otherwise would deem appropriate.
The trading price of Holdco Ordinary Shares may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the prices of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Class A Common Stock.
Upon completion of the Transactions, Avago shareholders and certain Broadcom shareholders will become holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares. The results of operations of Holdco, as well as the trading price of Holdco Ordinary Shares after the Transactions, may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting
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Avagos and Broadcoms results of operations and the trading prices of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Class A common stock. For a discussion of the businesses of Avago and Broadcom and of certain factors to consider in connection with those businesses, see the documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and referred to under Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference on page 329.
The trading price of Holdco Ordinary Shares may be subject to wide fluctuations, and the value of your investments could materially decline.
Investors who hold Holdco Ordinary Shares may not be able to sell their shares at or above the value of their original investment in Avago Ordinary Shares or Broadcom Class A common stock. Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Class A common stock have experienced substantial price volatility, particularly as a result of quarterly variations in results and the published expectations of analysts and announcements by Avago, Broadcom and their respective competitors, and prevailing market and economic conditions. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, and Holdco may experience declines in its revenue related to industry conditions. Accordingly, the trading price of Holdco Ordinary Shares after completion of the Transactions is likely to be subject to similar volatility. For example, during the three months ended June 30, 2015, the trading price of Avago Ordinary Shares ranged from a low of $114.56 to a high of $150.50. During the same three-month period, the price of shares of Broadcom Class A common stock ranged from a low of $41.80 to a high of $57.70. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2015, the trading price of Avago Ordinary Shares ranged from a low of $68.71 to a high of $150.50, while the trading price of shares of Broadcom Class A common stock ranged from a low of $34.50 to a high of $57.70.
Fluctuations in share prices have occurred and may continue to occur in response to various factors, many of which Holdco cannot control, including:
| general economic and political conditions and specific conditions in the semiconductor industry; |
| changes in expectations as to the future financial performance of the combined company, including financial estimates or publication of research reports by securities analysts; |
| quarterly variations in operating results; |
| variances of quarterly results of operations from securities analysts estimates; |
| strategic moves by Holdco or its competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; |
| announcements of new products or technical innovations by Holdco or its competitors; |
| actions by institutional shareholders; and |
| speculation in the press or investment community. |
Accordingly, you may not be able to resell your Holdco Ordinary Shares at or above the value of your initial investment in Avago Ordinary Shares or Broadcom Common Shares.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for semiconductor-related companies in particular, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated to the operating performance of the companies affected by these fluctuations. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of Holdco Ordinary Shares, regardless of Holdcos operating performance. In the past, securities class action litigation often has been brought against a company following periods of volatility in the trading price of its securities. Companies in technology industries are particularly vulnerable to this kind of litigation due to the high volatility of their share prices. Accordingly, the combined company may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Any securities litigation could result in substantial costs and could divert the attention and resources of Holdcos management.
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An active trading market for Holdco Ordinary Shares may not develop.
Prior to the completion of the Transactions, there will have been no public market for Holdco Ordinary Shares. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in Holdco will lead to the development of an active trading market on NASDAQ or how liquid that market might become. An active public market for Holdco Ordinary Shares may not develop or be sustained after the completion of the Transactions. If an active public market does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for you to sell your Holdco Ordinary Shares at a price that is attractive to you, or at all.
The Holdco Ordinary Shares to be received by Broadcom shareholders in connection with the Transactions will have significantly different rights from the Broadcom Common Shares.
Upon consummation of the Transactions, Broadcom shareholders may become Holdco shareholders and their rights as shareholders will be governed by Holdcos charter documents and the laws of the Republic of Singapore. The existing rights associated with Broadcom Common Shares are different from the rights associated with Holdco Ordinary Shares. See Comparison of Certain Rights of Holders of Broadcom Common Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Holdco cannot assure you that it will pay any cash dividends or repurchase any Holdco Ordinary Shares for the foreseeable future or that you will realize gains on Holdco Ordinary Shares.
Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the sole discretion of the Holdco board of directors and will depend upon results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, including agreements governing its debt and equity financing and any future indebtedness it may incur, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors the Holdco board of directors deems relevant.
Furthermore, Holdco may declare dividends as interim dividends, which are wholly provisional under Singapore law and may be revoked by the Holdco board of directors at any time prior to the payment thereof. Future dividends and share repurchases, if any, their timing and amount, may be affected by, among other factors: Holdcos views on potential future capital requirements for strategic transactions, including acquisitions; earnings levels; contractual restrictions; cash position and overall financial condition; and changes to Holdcos business model. The payment of cash dividends is restricted by applicable law, contractual restrictions and Holdcos corporate structure. Pursuant to Singapore law and Holdcos charter documents, no dividends may be paid except out of Holdcos profits. Additionally, realization of a gain on your Holdco Ordinary Shares will depend on the appreciation of the price of your Holdco Ordinary Shares, which may never occur.
Pursuant to Singapore law, any share repurchase by Holdco would be subject to the relevant provisions of the SCA, including the requirement for shareholder approval and a cap on the number of shares to be repurchased.
Risks Relating to Restricted Exchangeable Units
Broadcom shareholders who elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units will be unable to transfer, pledge or grant liens on their Restricted Exchangeable Units for a period of up to two years following the closing of the Transactions.
During the Restricted Period, which will last up to two years following the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units may not sell transfer, convey, assign, pledge, grant a security interest or other lien, encumber or dispose of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law) any interest in any Restricted Exchangeable Units, except under limited circumstances set forth in the Partnership Agreement. Accordingly, any such holders investment will be illiquid for a period of up to two years.
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Holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units are also prohibited from short sales, hedging and granting liens on their Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Unless otherwise approved in writing by Holdco in its sole discretion as the general partner of Holdco LP, during the Restricted Period, holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units may not be a party to or participate, directly or indirectly, in any short sale, forward contract to sell, option or forward contract to purchase, swap or other hedging, synthetic, put equivalent or similar derivative instrument or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Restricted Exchangeable Units or any Holdco Ordinary Shares, whether settled in cash or securities. Holders of Unit Electing Shares will also be required in their election form to (i) represent that such holder is not a party to and does not otherwise participate, directly or indirectly, in any such transaction and (ii) acknowledge that such holder will, upon accepting Restricted Exchangeable Units, be deemed, by virtue of acceptance of such Restricted Exchangeable Units and without any further action on such holders part, to have executed the Partnership Agreement and agreed to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Restricted Exchangeable Units and to comply with the terms and restrictions of the Partnership Agreement. In the event of a breach by any holder of the hedging restrictions in the Partnership Agreement, the Restricted Period applicable to such holders Restricted Exchangeable Units will be extended by two years.
An active trading market for the Restricted Exchangeable Units is not expected to develop.
Prior to the completion of the Transactions, there will have been no public market for the Restricted Exchangeable Units. Additionally, the Restricted Exchangeable Units will not be listed by Holdco LP on a national exchange in the United States. An active public market for the Restricted Exchangeable Units is not expected to develop after the completion of the Transactions. In addition, although as of the time of closing, the Restricted Exchangeable Units will have been registered under the Exchange Act, the general partner of Holdco LP is under no obligation to continue such registration and is authorized to deregister the Restricted Exchangeable Units at any time such registration is not legally required. As a result, even after the Restricted Period has concluded, it will be very difficult for you to sell your Restricted Exchangeable Units at a price that is attractive to you, or at all.
Future sales of Holdco Ordinary Shares in the public market could cause the value of Restricted Exchangeable Units to fall.
Sales of a substantial number of Holdco Ordinary Shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the value of the Restricted Exchangeable Units because the value of the Restricted Exchangeable Units is expected to be derivative of the value of Holdco Ordinary Shares. During the Restricted Period, you will not be able to sell your Restricted Exchangeable Units to mitigate losses under such circumstances.
The Broadcom board of directors has not made any recommendation with respect to whether a Broadcom shareholder should make a Unit election.
The Broadcom board of directors makes no recommendation as to whether any Broadcom shareholder should make an election to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units. A Broadcom shareholders determination to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units is a purely voluntary decision, and no Restricted Exchangeable Units will be issued to any Broadcom shareholder who has not elected to receive those securities. In making this decision, Broadcom shareholders will not have the benefit of any recommendation of Broadcoms board of directors. Broadcom shareholders should consult with their own legal, tax and financial advisors in making such decision.
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The exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units into Holdco Ordinary Shares is subject to significant restrictions, including the right of Holdco in its sole discretion to cause Holdco LP to repurchase such Restricted Exchangeable Units for cash instead of Holdco Ordinary Shares.
Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the Restricted Exchangeable Units will not be exchangeable for Holdco Ordinary Shares for a period of up to three years following the closing of the Transactions.
From and after the end of the Restricted Period, which will last up to two years following the effective time of the Broadcom Merger, holders of the Restricted Exchangeable Units will be entitled, subject to compliance with the procedures set forth in the Partnership Agreement, to require Holdco LP to repurchase all or any portion of such holders Restricted Exchangeable Units in exchange for Holdco Ordinary Shares, at a ratio of one Holdco Ordinary Share for each Restricted Exchangeable Unit, subject to the right of Holdco, in its capacity as the general partner of Holdco LP in its sole discretion, to cause Holdco LP to repurchase the Restricted Exchangeable Units for cash (in an amount determined in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement based on the market price of Holdco Ordinary Shares) in lieu of exchanging Restricted Exchangeable Units for Holdco Ordinary Shares. The ability of Holdco, in its sole discretion as the general partner of Holdco LP, to cause Holdco LP to repurchase Restricted Exchangeable Units for cash could result in, among other things, tax consequences that differ from those that would have resulted if the holder of such Restricted Exchangeable Units had received Holdco Ordinary Shares.
In addition, prior to the third anniversary following the closing of the Transactions, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of Holdco LP to repurchase such Restricted Exchangeable Units, and the holder of such Restricted Exchangeable Units shall not be permitted to exercise the Exchange Right, unless (i) Holdco has received a written opinion from an independent nationally recognized law or accounting firm that the exercise of the Exchange Right should not cause Holdco to be treated as (a) a surrogate foreign corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code) or (b) a domestic corporation (within the meaning of Section 7874(b) of the Code) and (ii) Holdcos independent auditor has determined that no reserve shall be required for financial accounting purposes relating to Section 7874 of the Code as a result of the exercise of such Exchange Right. No assurance can be provided as to whether or not such determinations will be obtainable.
The value of the Holdco Ordinary Shares received in any exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units, or the cash amount to be paid by Holdco LP in lieu thereof, may fluctuate.
The value of the Holdco Ordinary Shares into which the Restricted Exchangeable Units may be exchanged, or the cash amount to be paid by Holdco LP in lieu thereof, may be subject to significant fluctuations for many reasons, including:
| general economic and political conditions and specific conditions in the semiconductor industry; |
| changes in expectations as to the future financial performance of the combined company, including financial estimates or publication of research reports by securities analysts; |
| quarterly variations in operating results; |
| variances of quarterly results of operations from securities analysts estimates; |
| strategic moves by Holdco or its competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings; |
| announcements of new products or technical innovations by Holdco or its competitors; |
| actions by institutional shareholders; and |
| speculation in the press or investment community. |
Consequently, due to these potential fluctuations in value of Holdco Ordinary Shares, at the time that the Exchange Right of holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units becomes exercisable, the Holdco Ordinary Shares
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into which the Restricted Exchangeable Units may be exchanged, or the cash amount to be paid by Holdco LP in lieu thereof, may have a value that differs from the value of Holdco Ordinary Shares as of the effective time of the Transactions.
In certain circumstances, a Limited Partner may lose its limited liability status.
The Exempted Limited Partnership Law, 2014 of the Cayman Islands (as amended and any successor to such statute, the Cayman Islands Limited Partnerships Act) provides that a limited partner with the benefits of limited liability unless, in addition to exercising rights and powers as a limited partner, such limited partner takes part in the control or conduct of the business of a limited partnership of which such limited partner is a partner (subject to certain qualifications and exceptions). Subject to the provisions of the Cayman Islands Limited Partnerships Act and of similar legislation in other jurisdictions, the liability of each limited partner for the debts, liabilities and obligations of Holdco LP will be limited to the limited partners capital contribution, plus the limited partners share of any undistributed income of Holdco LP. However, pursuant to the Cayman Islands Limited Partnerships Act, where a limited partner has received a payment representing the return of all or part of that limited partners capital contribution or is released from any outstanding obligation in respect of his commitment and, at the time that payment was made or release effected, (i) the limited partnership is insolvent; and (ii) the limited partner had actual knowledge of the insolvency of the limited partnership, then for a period of six months, but not thereafter, such limited partner would be liable to Holdco LP or, where Holdco LP is dissolved, to its creditors, to repay such payment or perform the released obligation with interest to the extent that such contribution or part thereof is, necessary to discharge the liabilities of Holdco LP to all creditors who extended credit or whose claims otherwise arose before the return of the capital contribution.
The limitation of liability conferred under the Cayman Limited Partnerships Act may be ineffective outside the Cayman Islands except to the extent it is given extra-territorial recognition or effect by the laws of other jurisdictions. There may also be requirements to be satisfied in each jurisdiction to maintain limited liability. If limited liability is lost, limited partners may be considered to be general partners (and therefore be subject to unlimited liability) in such jurisdiction by creditors and others having claims against Holdco LP.
The Restricted Exchangeable Units to be received by Broadcom shareholders in connection with the Transactions will have significantly different rights from the Broadcom Common Shares.
Upon consummation of the Transactions, Broadcom shareholders may become holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units, and their rights as such holders will be governed by the Partnership Agreement and the laws of the Cayman Islands. The existing rights associated with Broadcom Common Shares are different from the rights associated with the Restricted Exchangeable Units. See Comparison of Certain Rights of Holders of Broadcom Common Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Under certain circumstances, the voting rights of Restricted Exchangeable Units will be limited.
Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement, the holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units will be able to direct the Trustee under the Voting Trust Agreement, as their proxy, to vote on their behalf in substantially all votes that are presented to the holders of Holdco Ordinary Shares. However, in the event that, under applicable law, any matter requires the approval of the holder of record of the Special Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, the Voting Trust Agreement restricts the ability of holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units to exercise such voting rights,
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except in the event of a vote on a proposed amendment to the articles of association of Holdco which would adversely affect the voting rights attached to the Special Voting Shares, the Trustee shall exercise such voting rights for or against such proposed amendment based on instructions from the holders of the Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Risks Relating to the Combined Company Following the Transactions
Holdco may fail to realize the benefits expected from the Transactions, which could adversely affect the value of Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The Transactions involve the integration of Avago and Broadcom, two companies that have previously operated independently. Avago and Broadcom entered into the Merger Agreement with the expectation that, among other things, the Transactions would enable the combined company to consolidate support functions, extend its research and development, intellectual property, engineering capabilities and services across a larger base, and integrate its workforce to create opportunities to achieve cost savings and to become a stronger and more competitive company. Although Avago and Broadcom expect significant benefits to result from the Transactions, there can be no assurance that Holdco will actually realize these or any other anticipated benefits of the Transactions.
The value of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units following completion of the Transactions may be affected by the ability of Holdco to achieve the benefits expected to result from the Transactions. Achieving the benefits of the Transactions will depend in part upon meeting the challenges inherent in the successful combination and integration of global business enterprises of the size and scope of Avago and Broadcom. The challenges involved in this integration include the following:
| demonstrating to customers of Avago and Broadcom that the Transactions will not result in adverse changes to the ability of the combined company to address the needs of customers or the loss of attention or business focus; |
| coordinating and integrating independent research and development and engineering teams across technologies and product platforms to enhance product development while reducing costs; |
| consolidating and integrating corporate, information technology, finance and administrative infrastructures; |
| managing effectively an expanded board and management structure; |
| coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively position the capabilities of Holdco and the direction of product development; and |
| minimizing the diversion of management attention from important business objectives. |
If the combined company does not successfully manage these issues and the other challenges inherent in integrating businesses of the size and complexity of Avago and Broadcom, then Holdco may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the Transactions and the revenue, expenses, operating results and financial condition of the combined company could be materially adversely affected. For example, goodwill and other intangible assets could be determined to be impaired, which could adversely impact Holdcos financial results. The successful integration of the Avago and Broadcom businesses is likely to require significant management attention both before and after the completion of the Transactions, and may divert the attention of management from business and operational issues of Avago, Broadcom and the combined company.
Holdcos only material asset is its ownership interest in Holdco LP, and Holdco is accordingly dependent upon distributions from Holdco LP to pay taxes, expenses and other obligations.
Holdco is a holding company and has no material assets other than its ownership interest in Holdco LP. Holdco has no independent means of generating revenue. Holdco intends to cause Holdco LP to make distributions to Holdco in an amount sufficient to cover expenses or other obligations incurred by Holdco as a consequence of its
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role as the General Partner, including, in amounts required for Holdco to pay any tax liabilities, operating or administrative costs, indemnification obligations of Holdco owing to officers, directors and other persons, expenses incurred for director and officer insurance, expenses incurred as a result of litigation, expenses related to any securities offering, investment or acquisition transaction, any judgments, settlements, penalties or fines and other fees related to the maintenance and existence of the General Partner. To the extent that funds are needed, and Holdco LP is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect Holdcos liquidity and financial condition.
The business and operating results of Holdco could be harmed by the highly cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry.
Avago and Broadcom operate in the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of diminished product demand. Significant downturns in the semiconductor industry are often experienced in connection with, or in anticipation of, excess manufacturing capacity worldwide, maturing product cycles and declines in general economic conditions. Even if demand for the products and solutions of Avago and Broadcom remains constant after the completion of the Transactions, a slow down in the semiconductor industry may create competitive pressures that can degrade pricing levels and reduce revenues of the combined company. Any failure to expand in cycle upturns to meet customer demand and delivery requirements or contract in cycle downturns at a pace consistent with cycles in the industry could have an adverse effect on the business of the combined company.
Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest in Holdco after the Transactions and will exercise less influence over management.
Avago shareholders currently have the right to vote on the election of the board of directors of Avago and on other matters affecting Avago. Upon the completion of the Transactions, each Avago shareholder who receives Holdco Ordinary Shares will become a shareholder of Holdco with a percentage ownership of Holdco that is smaller than the shareholders previous percentage ownership of Avago. It is currently expected that the former shareholders of Avago as a group will receive shares in the Transaction constituting approximately 67% of the voting power of Holdco immediately after the Transactions. Because of this, the former Avago shareholders as a group will have less influence on the management and policies of Holdco than they now have on the management and policies of Avago.
Similarly, Broadcom shareholders currently have the right to vote on the election of the board of directors of Broadcom and on other matters affecting Broadcom. Upon the completion of the Transactions, each Broadcom shareholder who elects and receives Holdco Ordinary Shares and/or Restricted Exchangeable Units will hold a percentage ownership of Holdco (assuming the exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units) that is smaller than the shareholders previous percentage ownership of Broadcom. It is currently expected that the former shareholders of Broadcom as a group will receive equity in the Transactions constituting approximately 33% of the voting power of Holdco immediately after the Transactions. Because of this, Broadcom shareholders will have less influence on the management and policies of Holdco as a group than they now have on the management and policies of Broadcom. However, all Broadcom shareholders will be treated identically in connection with the Broadcom Merger, and holders of shares of Class A and Class B common stock of Broadcom are entitled to elect to receive the same types and amounts of consideration per share, with only one class of ordinary shares and one non-economic voting preference share being issued in the capital of Holdco upon closing.
Uncertainties associated with the Transactions may cause a loss of employees and may otherwise materially adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company.
The combined companys success after the Transactions will depend in part upon the ability of the combined company to retain executive officers and key employees of Avago and Broadcom. In some of the fields in which Avago and Broadcom operate, there are only a limited number of people in the job market who
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possess the requisite skills and it may be increasingly difficult for the combined company to hire personnel over time. The combined company will operate in several geographic locations, including parts of Asia and Silicon Valley, where the labor markets, especially for application engineers, are particularly competitive. Each of Avago and Broadcom has experienced difficulty in hiring and retaining sufficient numbers of qualified management, manufacturing, technical, application engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel in parts of their respective businesses.
Current and prospective employees of Avago and Broadcom may experience uncertainty about their roles with the combined company following the Transactions. In addition, key employees may depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the combined company following the Transactions. The loss of services of any key personnel or the inability to hire new personnel with the requisite skills could restrict the ability of the combined company to develop new products or enhance existing products in a timely matter, to sell products to customers or to manage the business of the combined company effectively. Also, the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of its key employees, by the failure of any key employee to perform in his or her current position, or by the combined companys inability to attract and retain skilled employees, particularly engineers.
The majority of sales for the combined company will continue to come from a small number of customers and a reduction in demand or loss of one or more of the significant customers of Avago or Broadcom may adversely affect the combined companys business.
Avagos and Broadcoms revenues are typically concentrated among a relatively small number of customers in any given period. For Avagos fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2015, revenue from Avagos top ten direct customers, which included three distributors, accounted for approximately 56% of its total net revenue, with one customer individually accounting for 21% of its total net revenue. For Broadcoms fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015, revenue from Broadcoms top five customers accounted for approximately 41% of its total net revenue, with two customers accounting for approximately 26% of its total net revenue. If a major customer of Avago or Broadcom were to decide to significantly reduce or cancel orders for any reason, revenue, operating results, and financial condition of the combined company would be adversely affected. Since many of the products of the combined company will have long product design and development cycles, it may be difficult for Holdco to replace key customers who reduce or cancel existing business.
Sales of the combined companys products are expected to continue to be concentrated with a limited number of large customers for the foreseeable future. Holdcos financial results will depend in large part on this concentrated base of customers sales and business results. The combined companys relationships with its significant customers, who will frequently evaluate competitive products prior to placing new orders, could be adversely affected by a number of factors, including Holdcos ability to keep pace with changes in semiconductor technology and compete effectively.
Third parties may claim that Holdco is infringing their intellectual property, and the combined company could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling its products or services.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by uncertain and conflicting intellectual property claims and vigorous protection and pursuit of these rights. Each of Avago and Broadcom is frequently involved in disputes regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Each of Avago and Broadcom has in the past received, and Holdco may in the future receive, communications from third parties asserting that certain of its products, processes or technologies infringe upon their patent rights, copyrights, trademark rights or other intellectual property rights. The combined company may also receive claims of potential infringement if it attempts to license intellectual property to others. Third parties may claim that Holdco is infringing their intellectual property rights, and the combined company may be unaware of intellectual property rights of others that may cover some of its technology, products and services. Defending these claims may be costly and time consuming, and may
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divert the attention of management and key personnel from other business issues. The complexity of the technology involved and the uncertainty of intellectual property litigation increase these risks. Claims of intellectual property infringement also might require the combined company to enter into costly royalty or license agreements. Holdco may be unable to obtain royalty or license agreements on acceptable terms, or at all. Similarly, changing its products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be costly or impractical. The combined company may also be subject to significant damages or injunctions against development and sale of certain of its products and services. Resolution of whether any of the products or intellectual property of the combined company has infringed on valid rights held by others could have a material adverse effect on results of operations or financial condition and may require material changes in production processes and products.
The combined company may not be able to adequately protect or enforce its intellectual property rights, which could harm its competitive position.
The combined companys success and future revenue growth will depend, in part, on its ability to protect its intellectual property. The combined company will primarily rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as nondisclosure agreements and other methods, to protect its proprietary technologies and processes. It is possible that competitors or other unauthorized third parties may obtain, copy, use or disclose, illegally or otherwise, the combined companys proprietary technologies and processes, despite efforts by the combined company to protect its proprietary technologies and processes. While the combined company will hold a significant number of patents, there can be no assurances that any additional patents will be issued. Even if new patents are issued, the claims allowed may not be sufficiently broad to protect the combined companys technology. In addition, any of Avagos or Broadcoms existing patents, and any future patents issued to the combined company, may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or otherwise. As such, any rights granted under these patents may not provide the combined company with meaningful protection. Avago and Broadcom may not have, and in the future the combined company may not have, foreign patents or pending applications corresponding to its U.S. patents and applications. Even if foreign patents are granted, effective enforcement in foreign countries may not be available. If the combined companys patents do not adequately protect its technology, competitors may be able to offer products similar to the combined companys products. The combined companys competitors may also be able to develop similar technology independently or design around its patents.
It may be difficult to enforce a judgment of U.S. courts for civil liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws against the combined company, its directors or officers in Singapore.
As is presently the case for Avago, Holdco will be incorporated in Singapore, and certain of its officers and directors are or will be residents outside the United States. A substantial portion of its assets will be located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon the combined company. Similarly, investors may be unable to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States against the combined company in U.S. courts. Judgments of U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States are not directly enforceable in Singapore courts and are not given the same effect in Singapore as judgments of a Singapore court. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to whether Singapore courts will enter judgments in actions brought in Singapore courts based upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States.
Holdco is organized under the laws of the Republic of Singapore and its shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interest than they would as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in the United States, and Holdco may have more difficulty attracting and retaining qualified board members and executives.
Holdcos corporate affairs are governed by its charter documents and by the SCA. The rights of Holdco shareholders and the responsibilities of the members of the Holdco board of directors under Singapore law are different from those applicable to a corporation incorporated in the United States. Therefore, Holdco
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shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interest in connection with actions taken by Holdco management or members of the Holdco board of directors than they would as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in the United States. Legislation that would make significant changes to the SCA has recently been passed by the Singapore authorities, some of which alter the rights of shareholders that are currently provided under the SCA and Holdcos charter documents.
In addition, being a public company organized in Singapore may make it more expensive for Holdco to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and Holdco may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of the Holdco board of directors, particularly to serve on committees of the Holdco board of directors, and qualified executive officers.
Singapore law may impede a takeover of Holdco by a third-party.
The Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers contains provisions that may delay, deter or prevent a future takeover or change in control of Holdco for so long as it remains a public company with more than 50 shareholders and net tangible assets of S$5 million or more. Any person acquiring an interest, whether by a series of transactions over a period of time or not, either on their own or together with parties acting in concert with such person, in 30% or more of Holdcos voting shares, or, if such person holds, either on their own or together with parties acting in concert with such person, between 30% and 50% (both inclusive) of Holdcos voting shares, and such person (or parties acting in concert with such person) acquires additional voting shares representing more than 1% of Holdcos voting shares in any six-month period, must, except with the consent of the Securities Industry Council in Singapore, extend a mandatory takeover offer for the remaining voting shares in accordance with the provisions of the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers. While the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers seeks to ensure equality of treatment among shareholders, its provisions may discourage or prevent certain types of transactions involving an actual or threatened change of control of Holdco. These legal requirements may impede or delay a takeover of Holdco by a third-party, which could adversely affect the value of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units.
Holdcos substantial leverage and debt service obligations could adversely affect Holdcos business.
After giving effect to the Transactions, Holdco expects to have total external debt of approximately $18.5 billion. The degree to which Holdco will be leveraged following the transaction could have important consequences to Holdco shareholders, including, but not limited to, potentially:
| increasing Holdcos vulnerability to, and reducing its flexibility to respond to, general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
| requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of Holdcos cash flow from operations to the payment of principal of, and interest on, indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of such cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, joint ventures, product research, dividends, share repurchases and development or other corporate purposes; |
| increasing Holdcos vulnerability to and limiting its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in Holdcos business and the competitive environment and the industry in which it operates; |
| placing the combined company at a competitive disadvantage as compared to its competitors, to the extent that they are not as highly leveraged; |
| restricting Holdco from making strategic acquisitions or causing Holdco to make non-strategic divestitures; |
| exposing Holdco to the risk of increased interest rates as borrowings under Holdcos credit facilities are expected to be subject to variable rates of interest; |
| making it more difficult for the combined company to repay, refinance, or satisfy its obligations with respect to its debt; |
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| causing the long-term and short-term debt ratings of Holdco and its subsidiaries to be lower than the long-term and short-term debt ratings currently applicable to Avago and Broadcom; and |
| limiting Holdcos ability to borrow additional funds in the future and increasing the cost of any such borrowing. |
Holdco expects the terms of its indebtedness to restrict its current and future operations, particularly its ability to incur additional debt that it may need to fund initiatives in response to changes in its business, the industries in which it operates, the economy and government regulations.
The terms of Holdcos indebtedness are expected to include a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on Holdco and its subsidiaries and limit the ability to engage in actions that may be in the combined companys long-term best interests.
Holdcos actual financial positions and results of operations may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma financial data included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The pro forma financial information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is not necessarily an indication of what Holdcos financial position or results of operations would have been had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated. The pro forma financial information has been derived from (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of Avago as of and for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (ii) the audited consolidated financial statements of Broadcom as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and (iii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Avago and Broadcom for the nine-month periods ended August 2, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Differences between assumptions in the pro forma financial information and the final acquisition accounting will occur and could have a material impact on the pro forma financial information and the combined companys financial position and future results of operations.
Moreover, the pro forma financial information does not reflect all costs that are expected to be incurred by the combined company in connection with the transactions. As a result, the actual financial condition and results of operations of Holdco following the transactions may not be consistent with, or evident from, the pro forma financial information.
In addition, the assumptions used in preparing the pro forma financial information may not necessarily prove to be accurate, and other factors may affect Holdcos financial condition or results of operations following the closing. Any potential decline in Holdcos financial condition or results of operations may cause significant variations in the price of Holdco Ordinary Shares. See Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.
The financial analyses and forecasts considered by Avago, Broadcom and their respective financial advisors may not be realized.
While the financial projections utilized by Avago, Broadcom and their respective advisors in connection with the Transactions and summarized in this joint proxy statement/statement were prepared in good faith based on information available at the time of preparation, no assurances can be made regarding future events or that the assumptions made in preparing such projections will accurately reflect future conditions. In preparing such projections, the management of Avago and Broadcom made assumptions regarding, among other things, future economic, competitive, regulatory and financial market conditions and future business decisions that may not be realized and that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, including, among others, risks and uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in this section and the section entitled Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are
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beyond the control of Avago and Broadcom and will be beyond the control of the combined company. There can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions or projected results will be realized, and actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from those reflected in the unaudited financial projections, whether or not the Transactions are completed. As a result, the unaudited financial projections cannot be considered predictive of actual future operating results, and this information should not be relied on as such. In addition, since such projections cover multiple years, the information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year.
You should read the discussion under the caption The TransactionsMaterial U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations below for a more complete discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the Transactions and the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The IRS may not agree that Holdco should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the Transactions.
A corporation is generally considered a tax resident in the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because Holdco is a Singapore entity, it would generally be classified as a foreign corporation (and, therefore, not a U.S. tax resident) under these rules. Even so, the IRS may assert that Holdco should be treated as a U.S. corporation (and, therefore, a U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 7874 of the Code.
Under Section 7874 of the Code, if the former shareholders of Broadcom hold 80% or more of the vote or value of the shares of Holdco by reason of holding Broadcom Common Shares (the percentage (by vote and value) of Holdco Ordinary Shares considered to be held (for purposes of Section 7874 of the Code) by former Broadcom shareholders immediately after the Transactions by reason of holding Broadcom Common Shares is referred to in this disclosure as the Section 7874 Percentage), and Holdcos expanded affiliated group after the Transactions does not have substantial business activities in Singapore relative to its worldwide business activities, Holdco would be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Section 7874 Percentage were determined to be at least 60% (but less than 80%), Section 7874 of the Code would cause Holdco to be treated as a surrogate foreign corporation if Holdco does not have substantial business activities in Singapore relative to its worldwide business activities.
Under current law, Holdco should not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, determining the Section 7874 Percentage is complex and is subject to factual and legal uncertainties, including that such determination takes into account several factors other than the estimated ratio of ownership of Holdco (through the ownership of both Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units) by former Broadcom shareholders following the Transactions, which ratio is expected to be approximately 33%. For example, the IRS recently announced that it intends to issue U.S. Treasury Regulations that would disregard, for purposes of determining the Section 7874 Percentage, certain non-ordinary course distributions made by Broadcom during the 36 months preceding the closing of the Transactions, including any transfer of cash to Broadcom shareholders in connection with the Transactions to the extent such cash is directly or indirectly provided by Broadcom. Such U.S. Treasury Regulations have not yet been issued and their scope and precise effect are unclear, but they would likely have the effect of increasing the Section 7874 Percentage. Even taking into account these uncertainties, we currently expect the Section 7874 Percentage will be significantly less than 60% (in which case, Holdco should not be treated as a U.S. corporation and the limitations described in the paragraph below should not apply to Broadcom). However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with the position that the Section 7874 Percentage is less than 60%.
If the Section 7874 Percentage were determined to be at least 60% (but less than 80%), several limitations could apply to Broadcom. For example, Broadcom would be prohibited from using its net operating losses,
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foreign tax credits or other tax attributes to offset the income or gain recognized by reason of the transfer of property to a foreign related person during the 10-year period following the Transactions or any income received or accrued during such period by reason of a license of any property by Broadcom to a foreign related person. In addition, the IRS has announced that it will promulgate new rules, which, in that situation, may limit the ability to restructure the non-U.S. members of the Broadcom tax group or access cash earned in its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Moreover, in such case, Section 4985 of the Code and rules related thereto would impose an excise tax on the value of certain Broadcom stock compensation held directly or indirectly by certain disqualified individuals (including officers and directors of Broadcom) at a rate equal to 15%, but only if gain is otherwise recognized by Broadcom shareholders as a result of the Transactions.
Changes in law could affect Holdcos status as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or limit the U.S. tax benefits from Holdco engaging in certain transactions.
Holdco believes that, under current law, it should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, changes to Section 7874 of the Code or the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder could adversely affect Holdcos status as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes, and any such changes could have prospective or retroactive application. If Holdco were to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it could be subject to materially greater U.S. tax liability than currently contemplated as a non-U.S. corporation. Specifically, if Holdco were to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Holdco would be subject to U.S. corporate income tax on its worldwide income, and the income of its foreign subsidiaries would be subject to U.S. tax when repatriated or when deemed recognized under the U.S. federal income tax rules for controlled foreign subsidiaries. Moreover, in such a case, a non-U.S. Holder of Holdco Ordinary Shares would be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the gross amount of any dividends paid by Holdco to such shareholder.
Recent legislative proposals have aimed to expand the scope of U.S. corporate tax residence, including by potentially causing Holdco to be treated as a U.S. corporation if the management and control of Holdco and its affiliates were determined to be located primarily in the United States, or by reducing the Section 7874 Percentage at or above which Holdco would be treated as a U.S. corporation. In addition, other recent legislative proposals would cause Holdco and its affiliates to be subject to certain intercompany financing limitations, including with respect to their ability to use certain interest expense deductions, if the Section 7874 Percentage were to be at least 60%. Thus, the rules under Section 7874 and other relevant provisions could change on a prospective or retroactive basis in a manner that could adversely affect Holdco and its affiliates.
The application of Section 367(a)(1) of the Code may result in your recognition of taxable gain (but not loss) in respect of the Broadcom Common Shares you exchange for Holdco Ordinary Shares in the Cash/Stock Merger.
The receipt of Holdco Ordinary Shares for Broadcom Common Shares pursuant to the Cash/Stock Merger, together with the Avago Scheme, should qualify as a tax-free exchange within the meaning of Section 351 of the Code. However, Section 367(a)(1) of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder provide that where a U.S. shareholder exchanges stock in a U.S. corporation for stock in a non-U.S. corporation in a transaction that would otherwise constitute a tax-free exchange, the U.S. shareholder is required to recognize gain, but not loss, realized on such exchange unless certain requirements are met. The IRS has declined to issue a ruling to the effect that the Cash/Stock Merger will not be subject to Section 367(a)(1). While Avago, Holdco and Broadcom generally expect such requirements to be met, one such requirement is that the value of Avago equal or exceed the value of Broadcom, as specifically determined for purposes of Section 367 of the Code, as of the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger. Whether this requirement is met cannot be known until the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger. In determining the value of Avago for these purposes, acquisitions by Avago made outside of the ordinary course of business during the 36 months preceding the Cash/Stock Merger will be disregarded unless such acquisitions either (i) consist of interests in certain foreign corporations or partnerships, or (ii) do not consist of passive assets and are not undertaken with a principal purpose of satisfying such requirement.
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In addition, the IRS has announced an intention to issue regulations effective prior to the date of the Cash/Stock Merger whereby, for purposes of determining the value of Broadcom, certain distributions made by Broadcom during the 36 months preceding the Cash/Stock Merger will be added back to the value of Broadcom for purposes of this requirement. Under such regulations, distributions (including share repurchases) made by Broadcom over the 36 months preceding the Cash/Stock Merger, as well as cash provided by Broadcom in the Cash/Stock Merger, would be added back to the value of Broadcom to the extent that amounts distributed during a given year exceed 110 percent of the average amounts distributed over the 3 preceding years. If the application of Section 367(a)(1) requires recognition of gain to a holder of Broadcom Common Shares in the Cash/Stock Merger, such holder of Broadcom Common Shares would recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount of cash plus the fair market value as of the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger of any Holdco Ordinary Shares received in the Cash/Stock Merger, over such holders tax basis in the shares of Broadcom Common Shares surrendered by the holder in the Cash/Stock Merger. Any gain so recognized would generally be long-term capital gain if the holder has held the Broadcom Common Shares for more than one year at the time the Cash/Stock Merger is completed. If you do not expect that the value of Avago will equal or exceed the value of Broadcom, as specifically determined for purposes of Section 367 of the Code (as discussed above), as of the closing date of the Cash/Stock Merger, you should assume, for purposes of deciding how to vote, that the Cash/Stock Merger will be treated in such manner.
Holdco LP may be treated as a publicly traded partnership taxed as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Holdco LP is organized as an exempted limited partnership under the laws of the Cayman Islands and should qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not as a publicly traded partnership (within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code) subject to tax as a corporation. Even if Holdco LP were to qualify as a publicly traded partnership, it would not be subject to tax as a corporation, provided the qualifying income exception is met. Under the qualifying income exception, a publicly traded corporation will be treated as a partnership, and not as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (i) ninety percent or more of its gross income during each taxable year consists of qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code and (ii) it is not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. However, because of the highly complex nature of the rules governing partnerships, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in circumstances, no assurance can be given that Holdco LP will qualify as a partnership and not as a publicly traded partnership subject to tax as a corporation for any particular year.
In the event that Holdco LP were to be treated as publicly traded partnership that fails to meet the qualifying income exception and is subject to tax as a corporation, it would be treated as if it had transferred all of its assets, subject to its liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which it failed to satisfy the qualifying income exception, in return for stock of the corporation, and then distributed such stock to the holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units, in liquidation of their interests in Holdco LP. This contribution and liquidation would be taxable to the holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units, in whole or in part, in an amount not to exceed the excess of the fair market value of the Restricted Exchangeable Units over their adjusted basis in the hands of the holders of such Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The IRS may view the receipt of Restricted Exchangeable Units in the Unit Merger as a taxable event for U.S. Holders.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Unit Merger to Broadcom shareholders receiving Restricted Exchangeable Units depends, in part, upon whether Holdco LP will generally be treated as a partnership, and not as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes and whether the Restricted Exchangeable Units received in the Unit Merger will be treated as an interest in Holdco LP, and not as stock of Holdco, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Broadcom expects to receive an opinion of Skadden at the time of closing substantially to the effect that (i) Holdco LP should generally be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
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income tax purposes, (ii) Restricted Exchangeable Units should be treated as an interest in Holdco LP, and (iii) the receipt of Restricted Exchangeable Units for Broadcom Common Shares should qualify as an exchange within the meaning of Section 721 of the Code in which neither gain nor loss is recognized.
The opinion to be rendered by Skadden described above will be based on certain facts, representations, covenants and assumptions, including representations of Avago and Broadcom, and will assume that the parties will comply with certain reporting obligations of the Code. If any of these representations or assumptions are inconsistent with the actual facts, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Unit Merger could be adversely affected. The opinion to be rendered by Skadden is not binding on the IRS or any court and does not preclude the IRS or a court from reaching a contrary conclusion. Therefore, no assurance can be provided that the IRS will agree with the conclusions in such opinion.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in Restricted Exchangeable Units may be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in Restricted Exchangeable Units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively. Moreover, any such modification may make it more difficult or impossible for Holdco LP, in the event that it qualifies as a publicly traded partnership, to meet the qualifying income exception. For example, members of Congress have considered substantive changes to the definition of qualifying income and the treatment of certain types of income earned from partnerships, and it is impossible to predict at this time whether these changes, or other proposals, will be enacted. Any such modifications may negatively impact the value of an investment in Restricted Exchangeable Units.
The U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. Holder of a Restricted Exchangeable Unit with respect to its allocable share of Holdco LPs earnings in a particular taxable year could exceed the cash distributions by Holdco LP to such holder for such taxable year.
Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, items of Holdco LPs taxable income and gain are allocated to holders of Restricted Exchangeable Units with respect to each taxable year only up to an amount equal to the cumulative amount distributed by Holdco LP to such holders during, or with respect to, each such taxable year or any prior period less any losses previously allocated to such holders. The United States Treasury Regulations provide that allocations of items of partnership income, gain, loss and deduction will be respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes if such allocations have substantial economic effect or are determined to be in accordance with the partners interests in a partnership. If the IRS were to successfully challenge Holdco LPs allocations as not having substantial economic effect and/or not being in accordance with the partners interests in Holdco LP any resulting reallocation of tax items may have adverse tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of Restricted Exchangeable Units.
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA FOR AVAGO
The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for Avago as of and for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013, October 28, 2012, October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010 and as of and for the fiscal quarters ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014.
The consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013 and October 28, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of November 2, 2014 and November 3, 2013 have been obtained from Avagos audited consolidated financial statements included in Avagos Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of October 28, 2012, October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010 have been derived from Avagos audited consolidated financial statements for such periods, which have not been incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal quarters ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of August 2, 2015 have been obtained from Avagos unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Avagos Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data as of August 3, 2014 has been derived from Avagos unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for such period, which have not been incorporated into this document by reference.
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The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future results and should be read together with the other information contained in Avagos Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014 and Avagos Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2015, including the sections entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related notes therein. See the section entitled Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Fiscal Quarter Ended | Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
August 2, 2015 |
August 3, 2014 |
November 2, 2014 |
November 3, 2013 |
October 28, 2012 |
October 30, 2011 |
October 31, 2010 |
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(In millions, except per share amounts and ratio data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data (1): |
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Net revenue |
$ | 1,735 | $ | 1,269 | $ | 4,269 | $ | 2,520 | $ | 2,364 | $ | 2,336 | $ | 2,093 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of products sold: |
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Cost of products sold (2) |
720 | 760 | 2,121 | 1,260 | 1,164 | 1,133 | 1,068 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
129 | 105 | 249 | 61 | 56 | 56 | 58 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring charges (3) |
2 | 11 | 22 | 1 | 2 | | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Total cost of products sold |
851 | 876 | 2,392 | 1,322 | 1,222 | 1,189 | 1,127 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Gross margin |
884 | 393 | 1,877 | 1,198 | 1,142 | 1,147 | 966 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Research and development |
276 | 240 | 695 | 398 | 335 | 317 | 280 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative (2) |
143 | 137 | 407 | 222 | 199 | 220 | 196 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets |
68 | 91 | 197 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring and asset impairment charges (3) |
98 | 87 | 140 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Total operating expenses |
585 | 555 | 1,439 | 646 | 560 | 563 | 500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) from operations (4) |
299 | (162 | ) | 438 | 552 | 582 | 584 | 466 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Interest expense (5) |
(43 | ) | (55 | ) | (110 | ) | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | (4 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| | | (1 | ) | | (20 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
11 | (2 | ) | 14 | 19 | 4 | 1 | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |
267 | (219 | ) | 342 | 568 | 585 | 561 | 406 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (6) |
23 | (99 | ) | 33 | 16 | 22 | 9 | (9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
244 | (120 | ) | 309 | 552 | 563 | 552 | 415 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (7) |
(4 | ) | (44 | ) | (46 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 240 | $ | (164 | ) | $ | 263 | $ | 552 | $ | 563 | $ | 552 | $ | 415 | |||||||||||||
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Basic income (loss) per share: |
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Income (loss) per share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.92 | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 1.23 | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 1.74 | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations |
(0.01 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.18 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) per share |
$ | 0.91 | $ | (0.65 | ) | $ | 1.05 | $ | 2.23 | $ | 2.30 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 1.74 | |||||||||||||
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Diluted income (loss) per share: |
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Income (loss) per share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.85 | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 1.16 | $ | 2.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.19 | $ | 1.69 | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations |
(0.01 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.17 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) per share |
$ | 0.84 | $ | (0.65 | ) | $ | 0.99 | $ | 2.19 | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.19 | $ | 1.69 | |||||||||||||
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Weighted-average shares: |
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Basic |
265 | 252 | 251 | 247 | 245 | 245 | 238 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted |
287 | 252 | 267 | 252 | 250 | 252 | 246 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period): |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,354 | $ | 1,277 | $ | 1,604 | $ | 985 | $ | 1,084 | $ | 829 | $ | 561 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 9,988 | $ | 10,262 | $ | 10,491 | $ | 3,415 | $ | 2,862 | $ | 2,446 | $ | 2,157 | ||||||||||||||
Debt and capital lease obligations |
$ | 3,961 | $ | 5,519 | $ | 5,510 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | ||||||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
$ | 4,281 | $ | 3,098 | $ | 3,243 | $ | 2,886 | $ | 2,419 | $ | 2,006 | $ | 1,505 | ||||||||||||||
Other Financial Data: |
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Cash dividends declared and paid per share |
$ | 0.40 | $ | 0.29 | $ | 1.13 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.35 | $ | | ||||||||||||||
Earnings to fixed charges ratio (8) |
5.2 | NA | (9) | 3.7 | 94.4 | 121.6 | 68.0 | 11.7 |
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(1) | On August 12, 2014, Avago acquired PLX Technology, Inc. (PLX) for total consideration of approximately $308 million. On May 6, 2014, Avago acquired LSI Corporation (LSI) for total consideration of approximately $6,518 million. On June 28, 2013, Avago acquired CyOptics, Inc. (CyOptics) for total consideration of approximately $380 million. The results of operations of these and other acquired companies and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in Avagos financial statements from the respective acquisition dates. As a result of these acquisitions, there has been a significant change in Avagos statement of operations data in fiscal year 2014 as compared to prior years. |
(2) | During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, Avago incurred acquisition-related costs of $74 million and $14 million, respectively, of which $67 million and $11 million were recorded as part of operating expenses, respectively, and the remainder was recorded as part of cost of products sold. In addition, cost of products sold includes $210 million and $9 million in fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively, of charges resulting from the step-up of inventory acquired from LSI, PLX and CyOptics to fair value. During fiscal year 2012, acquisition-related costs were not material. |
(3) | Fiscal year 2014 restructuring charges primarily reflect actions taken to implement planned cost reduction and restructuring activities in connection with the acquisition and integration of LSI, PLX and CyOptics. |
(4) | Includes share-based compensation expense of $153 million, $77 million, $53 million, $38 million and $25 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Share-based compensation expense for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 include the impact of a special, long-term compensation and retention equity award made to Avagos President and Chief Executive Officer, and fiscal year 2014 also includes the impact of equity awards assumed as part of the LSI acquisition. |
(5) | Interest expense for fiscal year 2014 includes interest expense with respect to Avagos 2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021, 2014 credit agreement (dated May 6, 2014) and 2014 revolving credit facility issued in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the related commitment fees and amortization expense of debt issuance costs. Interest expense for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 includes commitment fees for the previous $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility and amortization expense of related debt issuance costs. Interest expense for fiscal years 2011 and 2010 includes commitment fees for Avagos $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility, interest expense for Avagos 10 1/8% Senior Notes due 2013 and Avagos Floating Rate Notes due 2013, both of which were fully redeemed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, and interest expense for Avagos 11 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (Senior Subordinated Notes) which were fully redeemed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. |
(6) | Avagos provision for (benefit from) income taxes fluctuates based on the jurisdictional mix of income. In fiscal year 2010, Avago recognized a release of a deferred tax valuation allowance of $29 million, mainly associated with Avago irrevocably calling its Senior Subordinated Notes for redemption in October 2010. |
(7) | On September 2, 2014, Avago sold LSIs Flash Components Division and Accelerated Solutions Division (the Flash Business) that was acquired as part of the LSI acquisition to Seagate Technology LLC for $450 million which resulted in a gain of $18 million. The operations of the Flash Business were classified as discontinued operations beginning with the May 6, 2014, LSI acquisition date. |
On August 13, 2014, Avago entered into a definitive agreement with Intel Corporation (Intel), pursuant to which Intel agreed to purchase LSIs Axxia Networking Business and related assets (the Axxia Business) for $650 million. As such, the operations of the Axxia Business were classified as discontinued operations in fiscal year 2014. |
(8) | For purposes of computing this ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges consists of interest expense on all indebtedness plus amortization of debt issuance costs and accretion of debt discount, capitalized interest and an estimate of interest expense within rental expense. Earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. |
(9) | For the fiscal quarter ended August 3, 2014, Avagos earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges. The amount of additional earnings needed to cover fixed charges for the fiscal quarter was $160 million. |
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA FOR BROADCOM
The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data for Broadcom as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and as of and for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.
The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from Broadcoms audited consolidated financial statements included in Broadcoms Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 have been derived from Broadcoms audited consolidated financial statements for such periods, which have not been incorporated into this document by reference.
The consolidated statement of operations data for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2015 have been derived from Broadcoms unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Broadcoms Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2014 has been derived from Broadcoms unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for such period, which have not been incorporated into this document by reference.
The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future results and should be read together with the other information contained in Broadcoms Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Broadcoms Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, including the sections entitled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and related notes therein. See the section entitled Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Quarter Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 2,096 | $ | 2,041 | $ | 8,428 | $ | 8,305 | $ | 8,006 | $ | 7,389 | $ | 6,818 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (1) |
939 | 1,005 | 4,098 | 4,088 | 4,027 | 3,626 | 3,284 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|||||||||||||||
Gross profit |
1,157 | 1,036 | 4,330 | 4,217 | 3,979 | 3,763 | 3,534 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development |
538 | 634 | 2,373 | 2,486 | 2,318 | 1,983 | 1,762 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
188 | 182 | 716 | 706 | 696 | 657 | 590 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2) |
2 | 9 | 29 | 57 | 113 | 31 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Impairments of long-lived assets (3) |
| 165 | 404 | 511 | 90 | 92 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs, net (4) |
4 | 23 | 158 | 29 | 7 | 16 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Settlement costs (gains), net (5) |
1 | 16 | 16 | (69 | ) | 79 | (18 | ) | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other charges (gains), net (6) |
22 | (7 | ) | (60 | ) | 25 | | 49 | | |||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
755 | 1,022 | 3,636 | 3,745 | 3,303 | 2,810 | 2,452 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Income from operations (7) |
402 | 14 | 694 | 472 | 676 | 953 | 1,082 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income (expense), net |
(3 | ) | (5 | ) | (36 | ) | (30 | ) | (30 | ) | (5 | ) | 9 | |||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net |
(5 | ) | (8 | ) | 9 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes |
394 | 1 | 667 | 445 | 656 | 956 | 1,098 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for (benefit of) income taxes (8) |
8 | 2 | 15 | 21 | (63 | ) | 29 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 386 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 652 | $ | 424 | $ | 719 | $ | 927 | $ | 1,082 | |||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) per sharebasic |
$ | 0.64 | $ | | $ | 1.11 | $ | 0.74 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 2.13 | ||||||||||||||
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Net income (loss) per sharediluted |
$ | 0.63 | $ | | $ | 1.08 | $ | 0.73 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.65 | $ | 1.99 | ||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Weighted average sharesbasic |
602 | 587 | 590 | 574 | 558 | 539 | 508 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Weighted average sharesdiluted |
616 | 587 | 601 | 584 | 576 | 563 | 545 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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70
Quarter Ended June 30, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (end of period): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term marketable securities |
$ | 6,345 | $ | 5,025 | $ | 5,989 | $ | 4,371 | $ | 3,722 | $ | 5,205 | $ | 4,058 | ||||||||||||||
Working capital |
3,317 | 3,104 | 3,522 | 2,419 | 2,099 | 4,653 | 2,913 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill and purchased intangible assets |
4,179 | 4,741 | 4,374 | 4,937 | 5,512 | 2,187 | 2,043 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
12,990 | 11,971 | 12,471 | 11,495 | 11,208 | 9,040 | 7,944 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total debt |
1,594 | 1,395 | 1,593 | 1,394 | 1,693 | 1,196 | 697 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
9,603 | 8,673 | 9,051 | 8,371 | 7,839 | 6,521 | 5,826 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other Financial Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends per share |
$ | 0.14 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.32 |
(1) | Cost of revenue includes $31 million and $47 million in the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $185 million, $171 million, $198 million, $53 million and $31 million, in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for the amortization of purchased intangible assets related to Broadcoms acquisition of NetLogic in 2012 and several other acquisitions in prior years. |
Cost of revenue includes $72 million, $24 million and $10 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for charges resulting from the impact of the sale of inventory initially recognized at fair value, primarily from Broadcoms acquisition of NetLogic in 2012 and several other acquisitions in prior years. |
Cost of revenue includes $34 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and $27 million in 2014 for certain inventory charges related to Broadcoms decision to exit the cellular baseband business. |
(2) | Amortization of purchased intangibles relate to Broadcoms acquisition of NetLogic in 2012 and several other acquisitions in prior years. |
(3) | Impairments of long-lived assets in 2014 and 2013 primarily related to Broadcoms acquisition of NetLogic in 2012, as well as $130 million for the impairment of certain long-lived assets related to Broadcoms decision to exit the cellular baseband business in the quarter ended June 30, 2014. |
(4) | Restructuring costs primarily related to Broadcoms decision to exit the cellular baseband business in 2014. |
(5) | Settlement costs in 2014, 2012 and 2010 primarily related to the settlement of patent infringement claims; and a settlement gain in 2013 related to an additional litigation matter. |
(6) | Other charges (gains) included $22 million of acquisition-related costs associated with the pending acquisition of Broadcom by Avago in the quarter ended June 30, 2015, a $48 million gain on the sale of certain Ethernet controller-related assets in 2014, $25 million charitable contributions in 2013 and 2011, and $25 million of legal expenses paid to the plaintiffs counsel for attorneys fees, expenses and costs in 2011 related to the settlement of a federal consolidated shareholder derivative action. |
(7) | Operating income includes stock-based compensation expense of $86 million and $113 million in the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $437 million, $518 million, $543 million, $513 million and $484 million in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
(8) | Broadcoms benefit of income taxes in 2012 resulted primarily from reductions in its domestic valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets due to recording net deferred tax liabilities for identifiable intangible assets under purchase accounting of $51 million for certain of Broadcoms acquisitions. |
71
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data (the selected pro forma data) gives effect to the acquisition of Broadcom by Avago and the other transactions described in the section entitled Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information beginning on page 223 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The acquisition of Broadcom will be accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting under the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805). The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet data as of August 2, 2015 give effect to the Transactions as if they each had occurred on August 2, 2015. The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations data for the year ended November 2, 2014 and for the nine months ended August 2, 2015 give effect to the Transactions as if they each had occurred on November 4, 2013.
The selected pro forma data have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (the pro forma financial statements) of the combined company appearing elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes to the pro forma financial statements. In addition, the pro forma financial statements were based on, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes of each of Avago and Broadcom for the applicable periods, which have been incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. See the sections entitled Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference beginning on pages 223 and 329, respectively, of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for additional information. The selected pro forma data have been presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the combined companys financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the acquisition been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the selected pro forma data do not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company. Also, as explained in more detail in the accompanying notes to the pro forma financial statements, the preliminary fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed reflected in the selected pro forma data are subject to adjustment and may vary significantly from the fair values that will be recorded upon completion of the Transactions.
For purposes of these pro forma financial statements and the preliminary purchase price allocation, Avago and Broadcom assumed that 50% of Broadcom Common Shares are Cash Electing Shares and the remaining 50% of Broadcom Common Shares are Equity Electing Shares; however, Avago and Broadcom cannot predict the elections that Broadcom shareholders ultimately will make, and the ultimate purchase price will be adjusted to reflect any changes in actual elections compared to the assumptions herein. See the section entitled Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information beginning on page 223 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
(In millions, except per share data) |
Year Ended November 2, 2014 |
Nine Months Ended August 2, 2015 |
||||||
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 13,690 | $ | 11,281 | ||||
Income (loss) from operations |
(257 | ) | 1,129 | |||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(910 | ) | 635 | |||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share |
||||||||
Basic |
(2.36 | ) | 1.61 | |||||
Diluted |
(2.36 | ) | 1.50 | |||||
Weighted-average shares: |
||||||||
Basic |
385 | 394 | ||||||
Diluted |
385 | 423 |
72
(In millions) |
As of August 2, 2015 |
|||
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet Data: |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,345 | ||
Total assets |
41,046 | |||
Debt |
16,894 | |||
Total shareholders equity |
20,262 |
73
UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following tables set forth certain historical, pro forma and pro forma equivalent per share financial information for Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares. The following information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of Avago and Broadcom, which are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and the financial information contained in the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements, Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Avago and Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Broadcom sections of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma information below is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the Transactions had been completed as of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future operating results or financial position of the combined company. In addition, the unaudited pro forma information does not purport to indicate balance sheet data or results of operations data as of any future date or for any future period.
As of and for the Year Ended November 2, 2014 (December 31, 2014) |
As of and for the Nine Months Ended August 2, 2015 (June 30, 2015) |
|||||||
Avago Historical Data |
||||||||
Basic income from continuing operations per share Diluted income from continuing operations per share |
$
|
1.23 1.16 |
|
$
|
3.54 3.25 |
| ||
Book value per share (1) |
12.75 | 15.57 | ||||||
Cash dividends |
1.13 | 1.13 | ||||||
Broadcom Historical Data |
||||||||
Basic income from continuing operations per share |
$ | 1.11 | $ | 1.65 | ||||
Diluted income from continuing operations per share |
1.08 | 1.61 | ||||||
Book value per share (1) |
15.11 | 15.82 | ||||||
Cash dividends |
0.48 | 0.40 | ||||||
Combined Company Unaudited Pro Forma Data |
||||||||
Basic income (loss) from continuing operations per share |
$ | (2.36 | ) | $ | 1.61 | |||
Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share |
(2.36 | ) | 1.50 | |||||
Book value per share (1) |
51.68 | 49.54 | ||||||
Cash dividends |
1.13 | 1.13 | ||||||
Broadcom Pro Forma Equivalent Data (2) |
||||||||
Basic income (loss) from continuing operations per share |
$ | (1.03 | ) | $ | 0.70 | |||
Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share |
(1.03 | ) | 0.66 | |||||
Book value per share (1) |
22.63 | 21.69 | ||||||
Cash dividends |
0.49 | 0.49 |
(1) | Historical book value per share was computed using book value attributable to Avago or Broadcom, as applicable, divided by the number of Avago Ordinary Shares and Broadcom Common Shares, as applicable, outstanding. Combined company pro forma book value per share was computed using pro forma book value divided by the number of pro forma shares outstanding. |
74
(2) | Broadcom pro forma equivalent amounts are calculated by multiplying the combined company unaudited pro forma data per share amounts by the exchange ratio of 0.4378. The exchange ratio does not include the $54.50 per share cash portion of the acquisition consideration. |
As of August 2, 2015 (June 30, 2015) |
||||
(in millions) | ||||
Avago Historical Data |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,354 | ||
Total assets |
9,988 | |||
Total liabilities |
5,707 | |||
Total shareholders equity |
4,281 | |||
Broadcom Historical Data |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,976 | ||
Total assets |
12,990 | |||
Total liabilities |
3,387 | |||
Total stockholders equity |
9,603 | |||
Combined Company Pro Forma Data |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 1,345 | ||
Total assets |
41,046 | |||
Total liabilities |
20,784 | |||
Total shareholders equity |
20,262 |
75
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
The following table sets forth the closing market price per Avago Ordinary Share and per share of Broadcom Class A common stock as reported on NASDAQ. In each case, the prices are given:
| as of May 27, 2015, the last trading day before the public announcement of the transaction between Avago and Broadcom; and |
| as of September 14, 2015, the latest practicable date before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Date |
Avago Ordinary Shares |
Broadcom Class A Common Stock |
||||||
May 27, 2015 |
$ | 141.49 | $ | 57.16 | ||||
September 14, 2015 |
$ | 131.19 | $ | 53.24 |
Avago Ordinary Shares are listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol AVGO. Shares of Broadcom Class A common stock are listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol BRCM. The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low sales price as reported on NASDAQ per Avago Ordinary Share and per share of Broadcom Class A common stock.
For the calendar quarter ended: |
Avago Ordinary Shares |
Broadcom Class A Common Stock |
||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||
2015 |
||||||||||||||||
September 30 (through September 14, 2015) |
$ | 137.75 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 53.75 | $ | 45.30 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 150.50 | $ | 114.56 | $ | 57.70 | $ | 41.80 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 136.28 | $ | 95.18 | $ | 46.31 | $ | 40.21 | ||||||||
2014 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 105.00 | $ | 68.75 | $ | 44.33 | $ | 34.50 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 90.88 | $ | 68.71 | $ | 41.65 | $ | 36.55 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 72.50 | $ | 57.27 | $ | 38.85 | $ | 28.86 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 65.83 | $ | 51.89 | $ | 32.31 | $ | 28.30 | ||||||||
2013 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 54.54 | $ | 41.83 | $ | 29.75 | $ | 24.60 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 43.29 | $ | 35.75 | $ | 34.96 | $ | 23.25 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 38.87 | $ | 30.57 | $ | 37.85 | $ | 31.25 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 36.98 | $ | 32.09 | $ | 35.50 | $ | 32.12 | ||||||||
2012 |
||||||||||||||||
December 31 |
$ | 35.58 | $ | 30.50 | $ | 35.00 | $ | 29.95 | ||||||||
September 30 |
$ | 37.88 | $ | 32.14 | $ | 37.00 | $ | 28.60 | ||||||||
June 30 |
$ | 39.01 | $ | 29.70 | $ | 39.23 | $ | 30.95 | ||||||||
March 31 |
$ | 39.22 | $ | 28.02 | $ | 39.66 | $ | 29.00 |
76
The table below sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, quarterly dividends paid per Avago Ordinary Share, in U.S. dollars per share. On September 25, the Avago Record Date, there were 275,998,783 Avago Ordinary Shares in the issued capital of Avago. Avago pays quarterly dividends with respect to Avago Ordinary Shares.
Fiscal Period: |
Date Paid | $ Per Share | ||||
Fiscal Year 2015 |
||||||
Third Quarter (ended August 2, 2015) |
June 30 | $ | 0.40 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 3, 2015) |
March 31 | $ | 0.38 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 1, 2015) |
December 31 | $ | 0.35 | |||
Fiscal Year 2014 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended November 2, 2014) |
September 30 | $ | 0.32 | |||
Third Quarter (ended August 3, 2014) |
June 30 | $ | 0.29 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 4, 2014) |
March 31 | $ | 0.27 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 2, 2014) |
December 31 | $ | 0.25 | |||
Fiscal Year 2013 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended November 3, 2013) |
September 30 | $ | 0.23 | |||
Third Quarter (ended August 4, 2013) |
June 28 | $ | 0.21 | |||
Second Quarter (ended May 5, 2013) |
April 4 | $ | 0.19 | |||
First Quarter (ended February 3, 2013) |
December 28 | $ | 0.17 | |||
Year 2012 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended October 28, 2012) |
October 1 | $ | 0.16 | |||
Third Quarter (ended July 29, 2012) |
June 29 | $ | 0.15 | |||
Second Quarter (ended April 29, 2012) |
March 30 | $ | 0.13 | |||
First Quarter (ended January 29, 2012) |
December 30 | $ | 0.12 |
The table below sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, quarterly dividends paid per Broadcom Common Share, in U.S. dollars per share. On September 25, the Broadcom Record Date, there were 608,853,133 Broadcom Common Shares outstanding. Broadcom pays quarterly dividends with respect to Broadcom Common Shares.
Fiscal Period: |
Date Paid | $ Per Share | ||||
Fiscal Year 2015 |
||||||
Third Quarter (through September 14, 2015) |
August 26 | $ | 0.14 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2015) |
June 15 | $ | 0.14 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2015) |
March 2 | $ | 0.14 | |||
Fiscal Year 2014 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2014) |
December 15 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2014) |
September 15 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2014) |
June 16 | $ | 0.12 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2014) |
March 3 | $ | 0.12 | |||
Fiscal Year 2013 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2013) |
December 9 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2013) |
September 16 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2013) |
June 17 | $ | 0.11 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2013) |
March 4 | $ | 0.11 | |||
Year 2012 |
||||||
Fourth Quarter (ended December 31, 2012) |
December 10 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Third Quarter (ended September 30, 2012) |
September 17 | $ | 0.10 | |||
Second Quarter (ended June 30, 2012) |
June 18 | $ | 0.10 | |||
First Quarter (ended March 31, 2012) |
March 5 | $ | 0.10 |
77
Background of the Transactions
The boards of directors of Broadcom and Avago, together with their respective senior management teams and advisors, have periodically reviewed and considered various strategic alternatives available to Broadcom and Avago to improve their competitive positions and enhance value for their respective shareholders. For Avago, this has included evaluation of potential acquisitions of other companies or their assets. For Broadcom, this has included consideration of whether the continued execution of Broadcoms strategy as a stand-alone company or the possible sale of Broadcom to, or a combination of Broadcom with, a third party offered the best avenue to maximize shareholder value. In the past two years, these opportunities have included consideration of, and negotiations with, potential acquirors of Broadcom.
On October 16, 2013, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Board of a potential public strategic acquiror referred to herein as Company A, Scott A. McGregor, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadcom, met with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of Company A. At this meeting, Company As representatives suggested three possible strategic actions: (i) a commercial relationship between Broadcom and Company A; (ii) Company A acquiring Broadcoms mobile and wireless group; or (iii) Company A acquiring Broadcom as a whole. No price was discussed for the alternative of Company A acquiring Broadcom as a whole at this meeting.
On October 18, 2013, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At the meeting, Mr. McGregor updated Broadcoms board of directors on the meeting he had held with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of Company A on October 16, 2013. After discussion, Broadcoms board of directors authorized management to enter into a non-disclosure agreement with Company A, to engage J.P. Morgan as financial advisor to Broadcom due to its skill, reputation, familiarity with Broadcom and its history of providing advice to Broadcom, and authorized management and Broadcoms advisors to share limited due diligence information with Company A for the purpose of considering the proposed strategic transactions.
On October 28, 2013, Broadcom and Company A entered into a non-disclosure agreement, which included a standstill provision that by its terms terminated on October 28, 2014, to allow their respective management teams to share non-public information with each other to explore the proposed strategic transactions.
On November 25, 2013, representatives of Broadcom met with representatives of Company A for the purpose of providing limited due diligence information about Broadcom. Also in attendance at this meeting were representatives of J.P. Morgan and Company As financial advisor. Following this meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Company A told Mr. McGregor that he intended to discuss a possible strategic transaction with Broadcom with the Company A board of directors and to follow up with Mr. McGregor following that discussion.
On December 12, 2013, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of Company A met with Mr. McGregor and Dr. Henry Samueli, Broadcoms Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Technical Officer. During this meeting, Company As representatives proposed a transaction in which Company A would acquire all of the outstanding Broadcom Common Shares for consideration of between $37.00 and $42.00 per share, consisting of Company A common stock for the holders of Broadcom Class B common stock, and primarily cash, but possibly a mix of cash and Company A common stock, for the holders of Broadcom Class A common stock. Company As representatives also said that they would want Dr. Samueli to join Company As board of directors if the acquisition was consummated. Company As representatives requested a meeting to discuss the potential cost synergies that could be achieved by combining the two businesses.
On December 13, 2013, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At the meeting, Dr. Samueli and Mr. McGregor updated Broadcoms board of directors on their December 12, 2013 meeting with Company As representatives. Also at this meeting, which was attended by representatives of Skadden, legal counsel to
78
Broadcom, representatives of J.P. Morgan provided a preliminary financial review regarding the proposed combination of Broadcom with Company A. Mr. McGregor also recounted a recent discussion with a representative of a potential public strategic acquiror referred to herein as Company B in which Company B proposed a combination of Broadcoms wireless business with Company Bs wireless business using a joint venture structure. After discussion, Broadcoms board of directors authorized management to engage in further due diligence with Company A regarding the potential cost synergies of the proposed combination, and to convey to Company A the message that Broadcom would be willing to explore a transaction with consideration of close to $50.00 per share.
On or about December 14, 2013, Mr. McGregor called the Chief Executive Officer of Company A and relayed that Broadcoms board of directors would be willing to explore a transaction with consideration of close to $50.00 per share, and had authorized Broadcoms management to engage in further due diligence with Company A regarding potential cost synergies that could be achieved through the transaction.
On December 19, 2013, Broadcoms management and Company As management met, with representatives of J.P. Morgan and Company As financial advisors present, and provided each other with due diligence information regarding potential cost synergies that could be achieved through the transaction.
On December 23, 2013, the Chief Executive Officer of Company A called Mr. McGregor and reiterated that Company As proposed purchase price remained between $37.00 and $42.00 per share.
Also on December 23, 2013, the President and Chief Strategy Officer of a subsidiary of Company B called Mr. McGregor to request a meeting between Company Bs management and Broadcoms management to discuss the possible cost synergies of combining Company Bs semiconductor business with Broadcom.
On December 30, 2013, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At the meeting, Mr. McGregor reported to Broadcoms board of directors that Company As proposed purchase price remained between $37.00 and $42.00 per share, unchanged from its original proposal. Representatives of J.P. Morgan provided an updated preliminary financial review of the proposed combination of Broadcom with Company A, and representatives of Skadden provided legal advice, including a discussion of the fiduciary duties of the members of Broadcoms board of directors in connection with the consideration of Broadcoms strategic alternatives, including the transaction proposed by Company A. After further deliberations, Broadcoms board of directors directed Mr. McGregor to communicate again to Company A that the board of directors would be interested in continuing to discuss a potential transaction, but only at a proposed purchase price of close to $50.00 per share. The board further authorized Mr. McGregor to disengage and terminate the strategic review process with Company A if the value gap persisted following Mr. McGregors communication of Broadcoms pricing parameters.
On December 31, 2013, Mr. McGregor contacted the Chief Executive Officer of Company A to convey Broadcoms boards response that Broadcom would not be interested in a transaction with a proposed purchase price between $37.00 and $42.00 per share, but would be interested in continuing to discuss a potential transaction at a purchase price of close to $50.00 per share. The Chief Executive Officer of Company A reiterated that Company As proposed purchase price remained between $37.00 and $42.00 per share, but that he personally might support a proposed purchase price of up to $45.00 per share. The Chief Executive Officer of Company A further stated that he would in no event support a proposed purchase price of more than $45.00 per share. Following the prior direction of Broadcoms board of directors, and in light of the value gap between the parties, Mr. McGregor told the Chief Executive Officer of Company A that Broadcom would be terminating discussions with Company A.
On January 1, 2014, Mr. McGregor sent an e-mail to the Chief Executive Officer of Company A formally notifying Company A that Broadcom was terminating discussions and requesting the return and destruction of materials provided pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Company A.
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On January 6, 2014, the Chairman of Company A called Dr. Samueli. The Chairman of Company A stated during this conversation that a proposed purchase price of up to $45.00 per share may be possible, but the Chairman of Company A did not make any specific offer or change the previously stated range of $37.00-$42.00 per share. At the end of this discussion, the Chairman of Company A and Dr. Samueli agreed to discontinue discussions between Broadcom and Company A at that time.
On January 17, 2014, Company A certified that it had complied with its obligations to return or destroy materials provided pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Company A.
On January 22, 2014, in light of the telephone call from the Chairman of Company A to Dr. Samueli on January 6, 2014 and in an attempt to ascertain whether an acceptable proposal could be obtained from Company A, Mr. McGregor telephoned the Chief Executive Officer of Company A to arrange a meeting to discuss cost synergies of a combination of Company A and Broadcom in greater depth. During this call, Mr. McGregor told the Chief Executive Officer of Company A that if Company A were still willing to pay a proposed price of up to $45.00 per share, Mr. McGregor would be in a position to provide a counterproposal that he would be willing to take to the Broadcom board of directors. The Chief Executive Officer of Company A said to assume that was the case, and Mr. McGregor responded that he personally thought the Broadcom board of directors might be persuaded to support a price of $46.00 per share.
On January 23, 2014, representatives of Broadcom provided certain financial and other non-public information to representatives of Company A pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement between Broadcom and Company A.
Later on January 23, 2014, Dr. Samueli and Mr. McGregor had dinner with the President and Chief Strategy Officer of a subsidiary of Company B. At this dinner, the parties discussed the potential merits of a business combination involving the two companies, but ultimately all participants at the dinner concluded that it would be unlikely that Company B itself would be willing to allow the transaction to take place.
On January 28, 2014, Mr. McGregor and Eric Brandt, Broadcoms Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, met with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Company A to discuss the parties respective views of the potential cost synergies of a combination of Company A and Broadcom. Following this meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of Company A proposed a price of $41.00 per share. In response, Mr. McGregor reconfirmed with the Chief Executive Officer of Company A the termination of discussions, and on the same date Broadcom sent another notice to Company A requesting the return and destruction of materials provided pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Company A.
On March 19, 2014, at the request of the Chairman of a potential public strategic acquiror referred to herein as Company C, Mr. McGregor had dinner with the Chairman of Company C to discuss a potential combination of Company C and Broadcom.
On March 27, 2014, the Chairman of Company C emailed Mr. McGregor to arrange a time to further discuss a potential combination of Company C and Broadcom.
On March 31, 2014, the Chairman of Company C informed Mr. McGregor that Company C was not interested in combining with Broadcom, but could be interested in acquiring part of Broadcom. Mr. McGregor informed Company C that selling a significant part of Broadcoms total business might be difficult to effect because such a sale would create significant cost dis-synergies as a result of shared overhead costs among Broadcoms business units.
On May 30, 2014, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting to discuss a potential sale of Broadcoms cellular business. After discussion, the Broadcom board of directors, having determined that further exploration and analysis of a sale or wind-down of Broadcoms cellular business was in the best interests of Broadcom and
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its shareholders, unanimously authorized Broadcom to pursue a sale or wind-down of Broadcoms cellular business, provided that, in the case of a sale, the terms of the agreements to be entered into would be subject to the Broadcom boards ultimate approval.
On June 2, 2014, Broadcom publicly announced that it was exploring strategic alternatives for its cellular baseband business, including a potential sale or wind-down, and that it had engaged J.P. Morgan as financial advisor with respect to such exploration of strategic alternatives for such business.
On July 15, 2014, Mr. McGregor spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of Company A. The Chief Executive Officer of Company A inquired whether Broadcoms connectivity business was for sale. Mr. McGregor said that Broadcom was not conducting a sales process for its connectivity business, but that Broadcom would consider any specific strategic transaction proposal from Company A. The Chief Executive Officer of Company A expressed doubt that Company As board of directors would be interested in re-engaging in discussions regarding a whole company transaction, but did not respond regarding a transaction involving only Broadcoms connectivity business.
On July 22, 2014, Broadcom announced in its fiscal second quarter 2014 earnings release that it had determined to wind down its cellular baseband business, as Broadcom had not received an acceptable offer for the sale of such business.
Following a brief conversation with Mr. McGregor on October 2, 2014, on October 10, 2014, Ken Hao, a director of Avago, called Mr. McGregor and Mr. Brandt regarding Avagos interest in a possible acquisition of Broadcom by Avago. Following this discussion, Avago provided Broadcom with a financial analysis of the effects of an acquisition of Broadcom pursuant to which holders of Broadcom Class A common stock and Class B common stock would each receive $47.00 per share consideration, 55% of which would be in cash and 45% of which would be in Avago stock.
On October 24, 2014, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting to discuss Broadcoms strategic alternatives, including consideration of Avagos financial analysis. At this meeting, the board authorized Messrs. McGregor and Brandt to meet with Avagos representatives to learn more about a potential transaction.
On October 27, 2014, Avago and Broadcom signed a mutual non-disclosure agreement which included a standstill provision. Also on that date, Messrs. McGregor and Brandt met with Hock Tan, the Chief Executive Officer of Avago, and Mr. Hao. At that meeting, Mr. McGregor proposed that Avago make a proposal at an increased price prior to Broadcom providing detailed information in a due diligence process. Avagos representatives declined to make a proposal at an increased price, stating that they first needed additional information regarding the potential cost synergies that could be achieved in the transaction.
On October 31, 2014, Mr. Brandt delivered certain financial and other non-public information that Avago had requested as part of its cost synergies analysis.
On November 12, 2014, Mr. Tan called Mr. McGregor to say that Avago would need additional time to consider the proposed acquisition.
On December 2, 2014, due to a lack of further progress between Avago and Broadcom, Mr. McGregor sent an e-mail to Mr. Tan requesting the return and destruction of materials provided pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Avago.
On December 4, 2014, Avago certified that it had complied with its obligations to return or destroy materials provided pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Avago.
On March 31, 2015, Mr. McGregor had dinner with the Chief Executive Officer of a company referred to herein as Company D. At this dinner, the Chief Executive Officer of Company D stated his interest in pursuing a
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transaction with Broadcom. Mr. McGregor replied that if Company D were to make a proposal, the Broadcom board of directors would consider it. Mr. McGregor invited the Chief Executive Officer of Company D to come forward with a proposal, should Company D desire to do so.
On April 9, 2015, Mr. McGregor received an email from the Chief Executive Officer of Company D indicating that Company D needed more time to formulate a proposal for a transaction.
During March and April of 2015, Avago updated its corporate development plans and evaluated a number of potential acquisition candidates, including Broadcom, based on publicly available information. On April 10, 2015, the Avago board of directors authorized management to approach Broadcom and convey an acquisition proposal.
On April 10, 2015, Mr. Tan telephoned Mr. McGregor to indicate Avagos interest in reinitiating conversations with Broadcom about a business combination and that he was prepared to send Mr. McGregor a specific proposal on April 13, 2015.
On April 13, 2015, Avago sent a letter to Mr. McGregor expressing a confidential, non-binding proposal by Avago to acquire all outstanding Broadcom Common Shares at a price of $51.00 per share, with one-half of the consideration in cash and one-half of the consideration in Avago Ordinary Shares, using a fixed exchange ratio. Under this proposal, each holder of Broadcom Class A or Class B common stock would be treated equally and would be entitled, subject to proration, to select all Avago Ordinary Shares, all cash, or a combination thereof. The letter also proposed certain other transaction terms, including that two Broadcom directors be added to the Avago board of directors upon consummation of the transaction, and that the principal holders of Broadcoms Class B common stock would execute support agreements for the transaction in light of the requirement under California law that the transaction be approved by separate class votes of each of Broadcoms Class A and Class B common stock. The letter further indicated the commitment of Avago to work on a timeline to result in a definitive agreement and public announcement on May 28, 2015.
Following delivery of the April 13 letter, Messrs. Tan and McGregor had several telephone calls that primarily focused on the value of Avagos proposal, including the value of potential cost synergies in a potential combination of the companies. Similar discussions also took place during this period between Thomas Krause, Vice President, Corporate Development of Avago, and Mr. Brandt.
On April 14, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At this meeting, Mr. McGregor reported on his recent conversations with the Chief Executive Officer of Company D. Mr. McGregor also described Avagos proposal to acquire Broadcom as set forth in its April 13 letter. After discussion, Broadcoms board authorized Mr. McGregor to engage in further discussions with Avago and Company D. Broadcoms board of directors also determined that management should engage J.P. Morgan for financial advice, due to J.P. Morgans skill, reputation, familiarity with Broadcom and its history of providing advice to Broadcom.
Later on April 14, 2015, Mr. McGregor spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of Company D regarding the need for Company D to move quickly if it was interested in pursuing a transaction, due to Broadcom having received an unrelated and unsolicited acquisition proposal from a third party with which Broadcom had previously been in discussions. The Chief Executive Officer of Company D reiterated Company Ds interest in a transaction with Broadcom, but did not propose a price or other terms of any potential transaction. Mr. McGregor and the Chief Executive Officer of Company D agreed that the Chief Financial Officers of both companies should have a discussion of potential sources of value and synergy.
On April 18, 2015, Mr. Brandt met with the Chief Financial Officer of Company D to discuss process and Company Ds financial diligence requests.
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Later on April 18, 2015, Mr. Tan called Mr. McGregor to discuss the potential transaction. During this call, Mr. McGregor asked Mr. Tan to increase the per share merger consideration proposed by Avago in advance of Broadcoms April 21, 2015 board meeting to discuss Avagos proposal. Mr. Tan declined to do so, saying that Broadcom would need to respond first.
On April 20, 2015, the Chief Financial Officer of Company D reiterated Company Ds strategic interest in a business combination with Broadcom, but did not propose a price or other terms of any potential transaction.
On April 21, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At this meeting, Mr. McGregor summarized separate discussions with representatives of Avago and Company D that had taken place in the preceding weeks. Representatives from J.P. Morgan reviewed the terms of Avagos April 13, 2015 proposal, and representatives from Skadden provided legal advice, including an overview of the preliminary regulatory considerations with respect to a potential transaction with Avago. After discussion, Broadcoms board of directors authorized and directed Mr. McGregor to inform Avago that Avagos offer of $51.00 per share was insufficient, and that if Avago increased its offer to a price above the mid-$50s, Broadcoms board of directors would authorize the parties to engage in further discussions. Broadcoms board also authorized and directed Broadcoms management to continue to engage in discussions with Company D.
On April 22, 2015, Mr. McGregor communicated the Broadcom boards message to Mr. Tan.
On April 23, 2015, Messrs. Tan and McGregor discussed a price of $54.50 per share, with one-half of the consideration in cash and one-half of the consideration in Avago Ordinary Shares, based on a fixed exchange ratio derived from the average closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares between April 13, 2015 and April 23, 2015. Mr. Tan also stated that Avago would publicly announce that the transaction would ultimately create cost synergies at a $750 million annual rate in order to demonstrate the strength of Avagos belief in its ability to achieve these synergies. Mr. Tan said that he would confirm this proposal in writing. Mr. McGregor said he would present this proposal to the Broadcom board of directors.
On April 24, 2015, Avago provided an updated, confidential, non-binding letter confirming the terms of the proposal discussed by Messrs. Tan and McGregor on April 23, 2015. This letter stated that Avago proposed to acquire each outstanding share of Broadcom Class A and Class B common stock at a price of $54.50 per share, with each holder thereof entitled to receive $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Avago Ordinary Shares (based on an exchange ratio derived by dividing $27.25 by the average closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares between April 13, 2015 and April 23, 2015). Pursuant to the proposal, each holder of Broadcom Class A or Class B common stock would be treated equally and would be entitled to select all Avago Ordinary Shares, all cash, or a combination thereof, subject to proration such that the overall mix of consideration would be 50% cash and 50% stock. The letter also stated that the combined company would be called Broadcom, reconfirmed the May 28 target announcement date and stated that the proposal represented Avagos best and final proposal.
Later on April 24, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting to review the terms proposed by Avago. At this meeting, Broadcoms management and representatives from J.P. Morgan discussed the proposal with Broadcoms board of directors. Broadcoms management also updated Broadcoms board of directors as to the status of discussions with Company D, including that despite being asked to do so, Company D had not proposed a price or other terms of any potential transaction. After discussion, Broadcoms board of directors authorized management to engage further with Avago and to proceed with negotiations and mutual due diligence. Broadcoms board of directors also directed management to re-engage with Company A and to continue to inquire regarding a proposal from Company D.
After the meeting, Mr. McGregor called Mr. Tan to communicate the Broadcom boards message that, while the Broadcom board was not prepared to agree to the $54.50 valuation at that time, the board believed that Avagos April 24, 2015 proposal represented a basis to commence due diligence and seek to reach a definitive agreement. Messrs. Tan and McGregor also discussed calculating the exchange ratio based on the price for
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Avago Ordinary Shares during a period immediately prior to the signing of definitive agreements with respect to a transaction rather than the exchange ratio set forth in Avagos April 24, 2015 proposal.
Later on April 24, 2015, Broadcoms management contacted Company D to inquire regarding a proposal for Company D to acquire Broadcom. Company D again stated interest in general terms, but did not propose a price or other terms of any potential transaction.
Also on April 24, 2015, Avago formally retained Deutsche Bank as its financial advisor in connection with a potential transaction with Broadcom based on Deutsche Banks qualifications, expertise, reputation, experience in mergers and acquisitions and familiarity with Avago and its history of providing advice to Avago.
Between April 24 and 26, 2015, Messrs. Krause and Brandt had several telephone calls and exchanged e-mails regarding the Avago proposal and potential structures for a transaction.
From April 24 until May 28, 2015, Broadcom and Avago engaged in mutual due diligence and negotiations regarding transaction terms.
On April 25, 2015, Mr. McGregor spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of Company A to inquire regarding a proposal for Company A to acquire Broadcom.
On April 28, 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of Company A sent an email to Mr. McGregor stating that Company A might be interested in exploring a potential transaction. This email did not propose a price or other terms of any potential transaction, and Company A did not make any further contact with Broadcom regarding a potential transaction.
On April 28, 2015, Avago and Broadcom signed an amended and restated mutual non-disclosure agreement to extend its duration in order to facilitate the exchange of confidential information in connection with the parties efforts to reach a definitive agreement.
Also on April 28, 2015, Mr. Krause spoke with Gary Ignatin, Vice President of Corporate Development of Broadcom. Mr. Ignatin indicated that he had been made aware of the proposed transaction and would be working with Mr. Krause to arrange due diligence access for the parties. Messrs. Krause and Ignatin also spoke on April 29 and 30, 2015 to arrange due diligence meetings and they continued to speak and correspond on such topics through May 27, 2015.
Also on April 28, 2015, Mr. Tan had an introductory dinner meeting with Dr. Samueli, at which they discussed the merits of a business combination of Avago and Broadcom.
On April 29, 2015, Broadcom and Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III, the majority holder of Broadcom Class B common stock, entered into a non-disclosure agreement that permitted Broadcom to share non-public information with Dr. Nicholas and his advisors to evaluate the proposed strategic transactions.
On April 29, 2015, Latham & Watkins LLP (Latham), counsel to Avago, delivered to Skadden a structure memorandum prepared by Latham and Avagos tax advisor, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte), providing a potential structure for the proposed transaction. The structure memorandum was based in part on prior discussions between Avago and Broadcom earlier that month, during which Broadcom indicated that it believed Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Samueli, the holders of substantially all shares of Broadcom Class B common stock and whose approval would be required in such a transaction, would prefer Avago to propose a structure that allowed any holder of Broadcom Common Shares who wished to receive securities of the surviving company in a transaction intended to constitute a tax-free exchange to achieve that result. The structure proposed the formation of a new ultimate holding company (Holdco in the final structure) and a new limited partnership (Holdco LP in the final structure) as the issuer of restricted exchangeable limited partnership units. Broadcoms shareholders would be given the opportunity to elect among cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares and, if needed to provide tax
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deferral, restricted exchangeable limited partnership units, subject to proration so that the average consideration per Broadcom share would be $27.25 in cash and Holdco Ordinary Shares or the equivalent amount in restricted exchangeable limited partnership units with an aggregate value of $27.25 based on a fixed exchange ratio. Among the objectives of the proposed structure was to allow any holder of Broadcom Common Shares who desired to receive securities of the surviving company in a transaction intended to constitute a tax-free exchange to achieve that result. The proposal also contemplated Broadcom receiving the approval of both the Class A and Class B common shareholders of Broadcom, each voting as a separate class, as required by California law.
On May 4, 2015, Skadden, on behalf of Broadcom, sent an initial draft of the definitive transaction agreement to Latham. From May 4 until May 28, 2015, Avago and Broadcom, and their respective advisors, engaged in the exchange of non-public information and negotiated the terms of that agreement.
On May 5, 2015, in response to Avagos request for a support agreement, Dr. Samuelis representatives provided to Broadcom proposed terms on which Dr. Samueli would be willing to enter into a support agreement in favor of the proposed transaction with Avago in his capacity as a shareholder. Following discussions with Dr. Samuelis representatives to clarify the terms that Dr. Samueli was proposing, these terms were provided to Avago on May 8, 2015. Under these terms: holders of Broadcom Class B common stock would be entitled to receive merger consideration in the form of 0.4378 Holdco Ordinary Shares or restricted exchangeable limited partnership units for each share of Class B common stock owned, subject to a lock-up agreement; the holders of Class B common stock would not receive any cash as merger consideration, would not participate in the election mechanism, and would not be subject to proration; and Broadcom would pay the Class B common shareholders expenses in connection with the proposed transaction.
On May 9, 2015, Mr. McGregor, Dr. Samueli, other representatives of Broadcom and representatives from J.P. Morgan met with Dr. Nicholas, in his capacity as a holder of a majority of the Broadcom Class B common stock. At this meeting, Broadcom and J.P. Morgan provided information regarding Avago and the transaction proposed by Avago pursuant to the non-disclosure agreement entered into between Broadcom and Dr. Nicholas.
On May 10, 2015, Morrison & Foerster (MoFo), counsel to Dr. Nicholas, spoke with Skadden. MoFo indicated that Dr. Nicholas would be making a proposal to Broadcom and Avago regarding the terms on which Dr. Nicholas would be prepared to support the transaction proposed by Avago.
On May 11, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At this meeting, Mr. McGregor summarized the discussions that had taken place with Avago, Company D and Company A in the preceding weeks, representatives from J.P. Morgan provided Broadcoms board of directors with an updated financial presentation regarding Avagos proposal and representatives from Skadden provided legal advice regarding Avagos proposal, including a review of the fiduciary duties of the members of Broadcoms board of directors. The representatives from Skadden described to the Broadcom board the possibility of using exchangeable limited partnership units as a form of consideration that is designed to be tax deferred for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Broadcoms board of directors also discussed the various interactions with Drs. Samueli and Nicholas and their counsel regarding the consideration to be offered to the holders of the Broadcom Class B common stock as consideration for entering into a support agreement. Specifically, Broadcoms board of directors reviewed Dr. Samuelis proposal that the holders of Broadcom Class B common stock receive a different form of all of the consideration in the proposed transaction with Avago in the form of Avago equity. The Board was also informed that, while Dr. Nicholas had not made a proposal regarding the terms on which he would be prepared to support the transaction proposed by Avago, Dr. Nicholas had indicated that he was inclined to seek to receive all equity consideration in the transaction and more per-share consideration than that received by the Broadcom Class A shareholders.
In light of Dr. Samuelis proposal in response to Avagos request for a support agreement for a different form of consideration for the holders of Class B common stock, Broadcoms board of directors determined that there could be a potential conflict of interest between Broadcom and Dr. Samueli, and the board of directors therefore formed a special committee of independent and disinterested directors (the Special Committee),
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consisting of all members of Broadcoms board of directors except for Dr. Samueli and Mr. McGregor (who in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of Broadcom was not an independent director), which committee was granted the full and exclusive power to negotiate with Avago, any other interested counterparties and the holders of Broadcoms Class B common stock, as well as the full authority to approve, reject or cease negotiations with respect to a potential transaction.
After the meeting of Broadcoms board of directors adjourned, the Special Committee convened to discuss the following days agenda. The Special Committee also discussed retaining independent financial and legal advisors to assist the Special Committee in evaluating the potential transaction, and decided to invite financial advisor Evercore, due to its expertise in the technology and telecom sectors and prior experience with advising special committees, and legal advisor Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (Davis Polk), due to its expertise in merger and acquisition transactions, its prior experience with advising special committees and the absence of any material prior relationship with Avago, Broadcom or the principal holders of Broadcoms Class B common stock, to present to the Special Committee the following day.
On May 12, 2015, the Special Committee held two meetings to discuss the proposal from Dr. Samueli, and discussions with Dr. Nicholas, regarding the terms on which Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas would be willing to enter into support agreements in favor of the proposed transaction with Avago. Following presentations made by each of Davis Polk and Evercore to the Special Committee during the second meeting that day, the Special Committee decided at the second meeting to engage Davis Polk as its legal advisor and Evercore as its financial advisor.
On May 14, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, Evercore provided financial analysis, and Davis Polk provided legal advice, regarding the provision of consideration different in form or amount to the holders of Broadcom Class B common stock.
On May 15, 2015, there was a call between representatives of Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan regarding Avagos proposed financing structure.
On May 15, 2015, Latham and Skadden held an in-person meeting at the offices of Latham in Menlo Park, California to negotiate terms of the definitive merger agreement and related transaction issues.
On May 15 and 16, 2015, Avago and Broadcom conducted an in-person due diligence meeting with respect to Broadcom in Newport Beach, California involving senior representatives of each of Avago and Broadcom.
At the close of the due diligence sessions, senior representatives of each of Avago and Broadcom discussed certain open issues identified in the May 15 meeting between Latham and Skadden, including the scope of Avagos undertakings regarding receipt of regulatory approvals, Avagos obligations with respect to financing the proposed transaction, Broadcoms covenants with respect to operating its business between the signing of the merger agreement and closing, and change in control provisions with respect to employee equity and compensation matters.
On May 16, 2015, Latham provided to Skadden a term sheet proposing the terms of the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units contemplated to be issued in the transaction, including a time period during which the restricted units could not be sold, transferred, exchanged or hedged. The term sheet proposed that each holder of Broadcom Class A or Class B common stock would be entitled to elect among cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares and the restricted units, subject to proration. However, if more than 50% of the Broadcom shares were to elect Holdco Ordinary Shares and the restricted units, Broadcom shareholders who elected the restricted units would be given first priority, and would be the last to be cut back.
On May 18, 2015, Skadden provided to Latham a revised draft of the merger agreement.
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Also on May 18, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Davis Polk and Skadden regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with representatives of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas. At this meeting, Davis Polk provided further legal advice, regarding the possible provision of consideration that was different in form or amount to the holders of Broadcom Class B common stock from the consideration payable to the holders of Broadcom Class A common stock. The Special Committee also considered that, while the articles of incorporation of Broadcom did not prohibit payment of different consideration to the holders of Broadcoms Class A and Class B common stock in the Transactions, Broadcoms prior public disclosures in its Form S-1 filed with the SEC at the time of Broadcoms initial public offering in 1998 stated that holders of Broadcoms Class A and Class B common stock would receive identical consideration in the event of a merger or other business combination. The Special Committee unanimously determined to communicate to Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas that the Special Committee would not approve a transaction unless that transaction provided for identical treatment of the holders of Broadcoms Class A and Class B common stock. Following this meeting, Davis Polk and Skadden communicated the Special Committees position to McDermott, Will & Emery (McDermott), counsel to Dr. Samueli, and MoFo, counsel to Dr. Nicholas.
Between May 18 and May 20, 2015, Messrs. Tan and McGregor exchanged several e-mails and had a telephone call during which they discussed the performance of Avagos business, due diligence status and progress on transaction structure.
On May 19, 2015, representatives of Latham, Deutsche Bank, Skadden and J.P. Morgan spoke by telephone regarding the proposed transaction structure and mechanics.
On May 20, 2015, the Avago Board held a special meeting during which it was updated on the status of the proposed transaction and authorized management to continue to seek a business combination with Broadcom.
Also on May 20, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Davis Polk and Skadden regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with McDermott and MoFo regarding the merger consideration to be paid to holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
Also on May 20, 2015, a meeting took place at the offices of Latham. Present for the meeting in person or by telephone were representatives of Latham, Deutsche Bank, Broadcom, Skadden and J.P. Morgan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a structure that would allow any holder of Broadcom Common Shares who desired to receive securities of the surviving company in a transaction intended to constitute a tax-free exchange to achieve that result. Based on suggestions from Broadcoms representatives at that meeting, on the evening of May 20, 2015, Latham sent to Broadcoms advisors a term sheet proposing different terms for the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units. Among other terms, Avago proposed that the restricted units would take two forms: (a) restricted units that would not be transferable for a period of at least two years; and (b) restricted units that would not be transferable for a period of one year. The proposal also provided that the restricted units with a two-year lock-up would not be subject to proration in the event that holders of Broadcom Common Shares elected two-year restricted units with respect to more than 50% of the outstanding Broadcom Common Shares, and that where proration of elections for equity securities did apply, it would be applied first, to freely-tradeable Holdco Ordinary Shares, and second, to the restricted units with a one-year lock-up. Under these terms, each holder of Broadcom Class A or Class B common stock would be treated equally and would be entitled, subject to the proration terms outlined in the term sheet, to elect among: (i) cash, (ii) freely-tradeable Holdco Ordinary Shares, (iii) restricted units with a one-year lock-up, and (iv) restricted units with at least a two-year lock-up.
From May 20 until May 28, 2015, Avago, Broadcom, Dr. Samueli, Dr. Nicholas and their respective advisors negotiated the terms of the proposed support agreements and the terms of the restricted units to be offered in the transaction.
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On May 21, 2015, Broadcoms management again contacted Company Ds management to inquire regarding a proposal.
Also on May 21, 2015, an in-person due diligence meeting with respect to Avago was held at the offices of Latham involving senior representatives of each of Avago and Broadcom. At this meeting, representatives of Broadcom requested that Avago update the data included in the Avago 2014 Strategic Plan provided to Broadcom by Avago based on results to date and Avagos present views as to projected results. The updated data requested by Broadcom was provided to Broadcom by Avago in correspondence sent on May 21, 2015 and May 22, 2015.
On May 22, 2015, representatives of each of Avago and Broadcom made separate presentations to representatives of potential lenders with respect to the proposed debt financing for the transaction. The presentations were also attended by representatives of Silver Lake Partners who, at the request of Avago, and given their extensive experience with debt financing of this nature, were assisting Avago in connection with the debt financing for the proposed transaction.
Also on May 22, 2015, there was a due diligence meeting between Messrs. Tan, Maslowski and Krause and representatives of Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Evercore with respect to the Avago 2014 Strategic Plan previously provided and updated by Avago.
Also on May 22, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Evercore, J.P. Morgan, Davis Polk and Skadden regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with McDermott and MoFo concerning the consideration to be paid to holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
On the evening of May 22, 2015, a conference call was held involving representatives of Latham, Skadden, Davis Polk, Deutsche Bank, Evercore, J.P. Morgan and advisors to Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas. During the conference call, representatives of Latham discussed the terms outlined in the term sheet delivered to Broadcom on May 20, 2015 and the participants discussed the proposed terms of the support agreement requested by Avago from Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas in light of the requirement under California law for a separate class vote of Broadcoms Class A and Class B common stock.
On May 23, 2015, Company D responded that it would be unlikely to consider making a proposal to acquire Broadcom in the upcoming months.
Also on May 23, 2015, Latham circulated a revised draft of the merger agreement.
On May 24, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At this meeting, the Broadcom board of directors received presentations from Broadcoms management, KPMG LLP, Broadcoms independent registered public accounting firm, and Skadden regarding the status and findings of Broadcoms ongoing due diligence investigation of Avago from business, finance, accounting, tax, legal and compliance perspectives. Representatives from J.P. Morgan and Skadden updated the Broadcom board regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with McDermott and MoFo regarding, among other things, the terms of the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units that would be offered to holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock as one of the forms of consideration payable in the proposed merger.
Later on May 24, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Evercore and Davis Polk regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with representatives of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas, including differences between the latest proposals from Avago and indications received from Dr. Nicholas as to the consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcoms Class B common stock. The Special Committee directed its advisors to continue to negotiate for a transaction in which the holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock would be entitled to receive identical consideration.
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On May 25, 2015, Skadden provided a responsive draft merger agreement to Latham.
Also on May 25, 2015, there was a due diligence call between Mr. Brandt and representatives of J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Evercore with respect to the Broadcom management financial plan.
Also on May 25, 2015, Messrs. Tan and Krause, together with representatives of Deutsche Bank, spoke by telephone with representatives of J.P. Morgan and Evercore to review the terms of the proposed restricted exchangeable limited partnership units and related transaction mechanics.
Also on May 25, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Evercore, J.P. Morgan, Davis Polk and Skadden regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with McDermott and MoFo regarding the nature and form of consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcoms Class B common stock, including the possibility of providing different consideration to such holders as compared with holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock, in order to secure the support of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas, and their execution of the support agreement which was being requested by both Broadcom and Avago in light of the requirement under California law that the transaction be approved by a majority of the Class B common shares outstanding.
On May 26, 2015, Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan had a conversation in which Deutsche Bank proposed that the number of Holdco Ordinary Shares (or the equivalent amount in restricted exchangeable limited partnership units) that would be offered as consideration per Broadcom Common Share would be 0.2116 Holdco Ordinary Shares (or the equivalent amount in restricted exchangeable limited partnership units) in order to reflect the volume weighted average of Avago Ordinary Shares during the ten trading day period leading up to May 26, 2015.
Also on May 26, 2015, Avago provided transaction agreements and revised terms of the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units, stating that they represented Avagos best and final offer. Under the terms of the transaction agreements, holders of both Broadcom Class A common stock and Class B common stock would be treated equally and would be entitled to the identical opportunity to elect the form of merger consideration, and the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units would be subject to a one-year period where they could not be sold, transferred or hedged against if less than 15% of outstanding Broadcom Common Shares elected to receive the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units, or a two-year period if 15% or more so elected. Avago also demanded that Broadcom accept or reject its proposed terms on May 27, 2015.
Also on May 26, 2015, Mr. Tan called Mr. McGregor and indicated that Avago might be willing to use an exchange ratio based on the average closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares between April 13, 2015 and April 23, 2015 that they had originally discussed, rather than the volume weighted average of Avago Ordinary Shares during the ten trading day period leading up to May 26, 2015 if resolution of all other issues conformed to the documents described in the preceding paragraph.
Later on May 26, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Broadcoms management, Evercore, J.P. Morgan, Davis Polk and Skadden regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with McDermott and MoFo. At this meeting, the Special Committee determined that Broadcom should continue negotiating based on Avagos latest proposal to offer identical consideration to holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and authorized management and Broadcoms advisors to begin discussions concerning alternative consideration structures if Avagos proposal could not be agreed to by Avagos stated deadline. The Special Committee also considered that although Avagos latest proposal would provide the holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock with the identical opportunity to elect the form of merger consideration they desired, it was recognized that some holders of Broadcom Common Shares might be unwilling or unable, due to investment policies or other restrictions, to commit to the holding period and other terms of the restricted exchangeable limited partnership units. The Special Committee believed that, based on the expressed preferences of Dr. Nicholas and Dr. Samueli to be entitled to elect to receive consideration that would be tax deferred for
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U.S. federal income tax purposes, it was likely that a greater proportion of holders of Class B common stock would elect to receive restricted exchangeable limited partnership units as compared to holders of Class A common stock. The Special Committee discussed with Evercore the potential differences in value that could be realized by holders depending on which election they make, noting that the value could be greater or less than the value received by holders making other elections depending on any applicable proration of elections for cash and Holdco Ordinary Shares, and on the performance of the surviving companys stock during the period that the partnership units would be required to be held. Because the charter of the Special Committee was particularly focused on potential differences in the treatment of holders of Class A and Class B common stock in the merger, the Special Committee directed Evercore to address in its opinion whether the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive restricted exchangeable limited partnership units is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
Also on May 26, 2015, a conference call was held involving Latham, Skadden, Messrs. Tan and Krause, and Messrs. McGregor, Brandt and Chong. During the call, the parties discussed the scope of Avagos undertakings with respect to regulatory approvals and Avagos obligations and rights with respect to obtaining financing for the proposed transaction.
On the evening of May 26, 2015 and the morning of May 27, Messrs. Tan and McGregor had several telephone calls regarding remaining issues, including agreeing to use an exchange ratio of 0.2189, based on the average closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares between April 13, 2015 and April 23, 2015.
On May 27, 2015, Latham, Skadden, McDermott and MoFo continued to negotiate the terms of the restricted limited partnership units to be offered in the transaction and the terms of the support agreement.
On May 27, 2015, Mr. Tan and Dr. Nicholas had a telephone conversation and exchanged several electronic messages confirming that Dr. Nicholas was prepared to execute a support agreement.
On May 27, 2015, the Chief Financial Officer of Company D called Mr. Brandt to repeat Company Ds interest, as a general matter, in a combination with Broadcom. Mr. Brandt informed the Chief Financial Officer of Company D that Broadcom was in advanced negotiations with respect to a transaction with another party, and that the Broadcom board of directors would be making a decision whether to pursue such transaction imminently. Mr. Brandt indicated that unless Company D had a specific offer to make, it was out of time. The Chief Financial Officer of Company D did not make such an offer.
Also on May 27, 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of Company D contacted Mr. McGregor to discuss whether a transaction between Broadcom and Company D was still possible. The Chief Executive Officer of Company D did not make a proposal for such a transaction. The Chief Executive Officer of Company D indicated that Company D was interested in a transaction but was not in a position to move quickly.
On May 27, 2015, Avago held a board meeting attended by representatives of Latham and Deutsche Bank. At this meeting, Avagos board of directors received an update from Avagos management, Latham and Deutsche Bank regarding the status of discussions with Broadcom and representatives of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas. A representative of Latham reviewed the fiduciary duties of the members of Avagos board of directors in connection with the consideration of the proposed transaction with Broadcom and provided a summary of the proposed final terms of the Merger Agreement and the other transaction documents. Representatives of Deutsche Bank reviewed with the Avago board of directors Deutsche Banks financial analyses with respect to the Avago Scheme Consideration and rendered its oral opinion, which opinion was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 28, 2015, as more fully described below under the caption Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Avago, to the effect that as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions described in Deutsche Banks opinion, the Avago Scheme Consideration (taking into account the Broadcom Merger) was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of outstanding Avago Ordinary Shares.
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After discussion, the Avago board of directors having determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Avago and its shareholders, unanimously approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Avago Scheme and the Broadcom Merger.
On May 27, 2015, the Special Committee held a meeting. At this meeting, the Special Committee received an update from Davis Polk and Evercore regarding the status of discussions with Avago, and discussions with representatives of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas. Also at this meeting, representatives of Evercore reviewed with the Special Committee its financial analysis of the merger consideration and rendered an oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 27, 2015, as more fully described below under the caption Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcoms Special Committee, to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review by Evercore as set forth therein, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive restricted exchangeable limited partnership units is fair from a financial point of view to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares. The Special Committee unanimously resolved to recommend that Broadcoms board of directors approve the transaction and the execution of the Merger Agreement and other transaction documents and performance of the obligations and actions contemplated thereby; provided that the full Broadcom board of directors received the fairness opinion of J.P. Morgan, as more fully described below under the caption Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom.
Later on May 27, 2015, Broadcoms board of directors held a meeting. At this meeting, Broadcoms board of directors received an update from Broadcoms management, Skadden and J.P. Morgan regarding the status of discussions with Avago and discussions with representatives of Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas. Also at this meeting, representatives of J.P. Morgan reviewed with Broadcoms board of directors J.P. Morgans financial analyses of the proposed transaction. Following this review, representatives of J.P. Morgan rendered J.P. Morgans oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the Broadcom board of directors that, as of the date of J.P. Morgans opinion and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in J.P. Morgans opinion, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, in the Combination was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The Broadcom board of directors also considered the $55.99 effective offer price per share for the transaction based on the then-current Avago trading price of $131.30, which effective offer price was above the original $54.50 per share offer. Representatives of Skadden then provided legal advice regarding consideration of the proposed transaction and a summary of the proposed final terms of the Merger Agreement, Support Agreements and the other transaction documents. After discussion, the Broadcom board of directors, having determined that the terms of the transaction documents and the transactions contemplated thereby were advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders, unanimously approved and declared advisable the transaction documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. For more information about J.P. Morgans opinion, see below under the heading, Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom.
Also on May 27, 2015, Broadcoms Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee) held a meeting. At this meeting, the Compensation Committee unanimously resolved to modify certain of Broadcoms compensation arrangements in light of the proposed transaction with Avago. These modifications are discussed in Broadcoms Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015.
Following the meeting, Broadcom, Avago and the other parties to the Merger Agreement executed and delivered the transaction documents, and Dr. Samueli and Dr. Nicholas executed and delivered support agreements, in the morning of May 28, 2015. Avago and Broadcom issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the transaction documents in the morning of May 28, 2015 before the opening of trading on NASDAQ on May 28, 2015.
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Role and Recommendation of the Broadcom Special Committee
As described above under the caption Background of the Transactions, the Broadcom board of directors established the Special Committee, consisting of all members of Broadcoms board of directors except for Dr. Samueli and Mr. McGregor, to evaluate the potential Transactions and to make recommendations to the full Broadcom board of directors with respect to the potential Transactions and other strategic business alternatives available to Broadcom. The Special Committee, acting with the advice and assistance of its independent legal advisor, Davis Polk, and its independent financial advisor, Evercore, as well as the direct and active participation of the members of the Special Committee, evaluated the potential Transactions and determined that the Merger Agreement, the California merger agreements attached as exhibits to the Merger Agreement (the California Merger Agreements), the Support Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable and in the best interests of the shareholders of Broadcom. Accordingly, by a vote at a meeting held on May 27, 2015, the Special Committee unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Support Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby were advisable and in the best interests of Broadcoms shareholders, (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Transactions; and (iii) recommended to the Broadcom board of directors that it approve the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Support Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; subject to the full Broadcom board of directors receiving a fairness opinion of J.P. Morgan, as more fully described below under the caption Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom.
In reaching these determinations, the Special Committee considered a number of factors including but not limited to, those set forth below (which are not in any relative order of importance), as well as a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including those considered by the Broadcom board of directors:
| the fact that the holders of shares of Broadcom Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be treated identically in connection with the Broadcom Merger, including identical opportunities to elect to receive the same types and amounts of consideration per share; |
| the fact that the transaction will be subject to a class vote of each of the Broadcom Class A shareholders and the Broadcom Class B shareholders voting separately, providing each class of Broadcom shareholders the ability to separately approve or disapprove the transaction; |
| the financial presentation of Evercore and its opinion addressed to the Special Committee on May 27, 2015 to the effect that, as of that date, and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review by Evercore as set forth therein, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units is fair from a financial point of view to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares, as more fully described below under the caption Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcoms Special Committee. The full text of Evercores written opinion to the Special Committee, dated May 27, 2015, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex H to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and you are urged to read this written opinion carefully and in its entirety; |
| the fact that sufficient procedural safeguards were present to ensure that the Special Committee could represent the interests of the holders of the shares of Broadcom Class A common stock including that (i) none of the members of the Special Committee held shares of Broadcom Class B common stock or were affiliated with the holders of shares of Broadcom Class B common stock, (ii) the Special Committee had the express authority to recommend against the approval of the potential Transactions with Avago and (iii) the Special Committee was advised by its own independent legal and financial advisors selected by the Special Committee; |
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| the fact that no other party contacted in the process expressed an interest in a business combination with Broadcom on specific terms at the time Broadcom negotiated and agreed on the potential Transactions with Avago; and |
| each of the factors and risks considered by the Broadcom board of directors in its unanimous recommendation, as described under the caption Recommendation of the Broadcom Board and its Reasons for the Transactions. |
The Special Committee considered all of these factors as a whole and unanimously approved and recommended that the full Broadcom board of directors approve the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Support Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Special Committee is not exhaustive. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by the Special Committee, and the complexity of these matters, the Special Committee did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its decision. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of the Special Committee may have viewed factors differently or given different weight or merit to different factors.
Recommendation of the Broadcom Board of Directors and its Reasons for the Transactions
The Broadcom board of directors and the Special Committee have determined that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders. Accordingly, by a vote at a meeting held on May 27, 2015, the Broadcom board of directors, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Transactions.
The Broadcom board of directors recommends that Broadcom shareholders vote FOR each of the Broadcom Merger Proposal, the Adjournment Proposal and the Non-Binding Advisory Proposal at the Broadcom Special Meeting.
As described above under Background of the Transactions, the Broadcom board of directors consulted with Broadcoms management and Broadcoms financial and legal advisors and, in reaching its determination and recommendation, the Broadcom board of directors considered a number of factors. The Broadcom board of directors also consulted with Broadcoms independent legal counsel regarding its obligations and the legal terms of the Merger Agreement and Broadcoms independent financial advisor regarding the financial terms of the Merger Agreement.
Many of the factors considered favored the conclusion of the Broadcom board of directors that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders, including the following (which are not in any relative order of importance):
| the growing challenges faced by the semiconductor industry, including macroeconomic trends and the fact that the industry is highly competitive, cyclical and subject to constant and rapid technological change with short product life-cycles for certain products and wide fluctuations in product supply and demand; |
| Avagos commitment to publicly announce, based on estimates by Broadcoms and Avagos management prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement, that the combination of Broadcoms and Avagos businesses will achieve forecasted cost savings at the rate of $750 million annually within 18 months; |
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| the Broadcom boards consideration of analyses prepared by J.P. Morgan at the request of Broadcom that assume the forecasted cost savings of $750 million annually could potentially be greater than such amount, including, for illustrative purposes, assuming at the request of Broadcom cost synergies of $1.1 billion annually; |
| the opportunity to combine expertise, including the skills of experienced managers in the semiconductor industry, to better meet the needs of the customers of both Avago and Broadcom; |
| the expectation that the combined company will deliver long-term operating improvement, with greater potential for earnings expansion; |
| the increased financial strength of the combined company and the resulting ability to invest in current businesses and future growth opportunities, as well as the ability to pay down debt incurred in connection with the proposed Transactions and the anticipated pace thereof; |
| the combined companys management team will draw upon experienced leaders from both companies; |
| that the Broadcom shareholders may elect to receive, subject to the terms and the election and proration procedures set forth in the Merger Agreement, consideration in the form of (i) cash, (ii) Holdco Ordinary Shares, or (iii) Restricted Exchangeable Units, providing Broadcom shareholders with the option to receive immediate value through the cash consideration or to participate in the equity value of the combined company, recognizing that Broadcom shareholders will own approximately 33% of Holdco equity (through ownership of both Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units) immediately after the Transactions; |
| the fact that the holders of shares of Broadcom Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be treated identically in connection with the Broadcom Merger, including identical opportunities to elect to receive the same types and amounts of consideration per share; |
| the fact that the consideration to be received by Broadcom shareholders consists of cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units, which provides a level of price certainty, liquidity and downside protection for Broadcom shareholders while simultaneously providing Broadcom shareholders with a substantial ownership interest in Holdco following the completion of the Transactions an opportunity to participate in the potential for earnings per share accretion and potential cost synergies created by the Transactions; |
| the fact that, subject to the conditions precedent to the Broadcom Merger, the availability of Restricted Exchangeable Units should provide to holders of Broadcom Class A common stock or Broadcom Class B common stock a means to receive tax deferred treatment of such units received by them whether or not the receipt of Holdco Ordinary Shares would ultimately qualify as a tax-free exchange under applicable law; |
| the fact that tax sensitive and long-term holders of Broadcom Class A common stock or Broadcom Class B common stock will be able to elect Restricted Exchangeable Units with no proration to cash, although subject to the transfer and other significant restrictions applicable to such Restricted Exchangeable Units that will result in illiquidity and lack of flexibility, in which case such holders will be able to receive tax deferred treatment with respect to all of the aggregate consideration such electing holders receive; |
| the fact that the consideration proposed by Avago reflected extensive negotiations between the parties and their respective advisors, and the belief of the Special Committee and the Broadcom board of directors that the agreed Broadcom Merger Consideration represented Avagos best proposal; |
| the historical share prices of Avago and Broadcom, including the fact that the implied value of the Broadcom Merger Consideration of $27.25 per share in cash plus 0.2189 of a Holdco Ordinary Share (assuming that no more than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares) represented: |
| an approximate premium of 19% based on the closing price per share of Broadcom Class A common stock of $47.06 on May 26, 2015; and |
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| an approximate premium of 23% based on the volume-weighted average closing price per share of Broadcom Class A common stock of $45.65 over the 30-day period ending May 26, 2015; |
| the expectation that the combination of Broadcoms and Avagos businesses will result in greater long-term shareholder value than the potential for earnings per share accretion that might result from other alternatives available to Broadcom, including seeking an alternative transaction with another third party or remaining an independent public company, in each case considering the potential for Broadcom shareholders to share in any future earnings growth of Broadcoms businesses and continued costs; |
| the Broadcom board of directors familiarity with, and understanding of, Broadcoms business, assets, financial condition, results of operations, current business strategy and prospects; |
| information and discussions with Broadcoms management and advisors regarding Avagos business, assets, financial condition, results of operations, current business strategy and prospects, including the projected long-term financial results of Holdco; |
| the oral opinion of J.P. Morgan rendered to the Broadcom board on May 27, 2015 that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in J.P. Morgans opinion, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, in the Combination, as that term is defined in the section entitled Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom, was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, as more fully described in the section referenced immediately above. J.P. Morgan subsequently confirmed its oral opinion by delivering its written opinion, dated May 28, 2015, to the Broadcom board. The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken is attached as Annex G to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and Broadcoms shareholders are urged to read this written opinion in its entirety; |
| the fact that the Special Committee unanimously recommended that the Broadcom board of directors approve the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the California Merger Agreement (including the Broadcom Merger) and recommended that the Broadcom shareholders approve the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the California Merger Agreements in accordance with Section 1201 of the CGCL, subject to the full Broadcom board of directors receiving a fairness opinion of J.P. Morgan; |
| the fact that Broadcom conducted a thorough process to explore Broadcoms strategic alternatives, during which process representatives of Broadcom sought offers from various potential buyers, none of which made an offer; |
| the governance terms in the Merger Agreement, which provide that two directors of Broadcom who are designated by Avago will become members of the Holdco board of directors; |
| the nature of the closing conditions included in the Merger Agreement, as well as the likelihood of satisfaction of all of the conditions to the completion of the proposed Transactions; |
| the obligation of Avago to take all necessary actions to obtain antitrust approval, provided that such actions do not reduce the reasonably anticipated benefits to Avago of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including forecasted synergies) in an amount that is financially material relative to the value of Broadcom and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; |
| the delivery by Avago of a debt commitment letter setting forth the financing commitments and other arrangements regarding the financing Avago contemplates using to complete the proposed Transactions; |
| Broadcoms right to engage in negotiations with, and provide information to, a third party that makes an unsolicited proposal relating to an alternative transaction, if the Broadcom board determines in good |
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faith (i) after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel that such proposal is, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a superior proposal and (ii) after consultation with its outside legal counsel that the failure to participate in such negotiations or provide such information would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Broadcom board (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation by Broadcom; No Change in Broadcom Board Recommendation); |
| the right of the Broadcom board of directors to change its recommendation in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Broadcom Merger or terminate the Merger Agreement if it has determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its directors fiduciary duties, subject to certain conditions (including providing notice to Avago and taking into account any modifications to the terms of the Transactions that are proposed by Avago); |
| the fact that the two principal holders of shares of Broadcom Class B common stock have signed the Support Agreements, obligating such shareholders to vote their Broadcom shares in favor of the approval of the Broadcom Merger, the Merger Agreement and the principal terms thereof and against any alternative acquisition proposals until termination of the Support Agreements, which occurs automatically upon the earliest of certain conditions, including termination of the merger agreement, the effective date of the Broadcom Merger, an extension of the Termination Date (as defined below) of the Merger Agreement by more than 60 days or mutual agreement by the parties thereto (as more fully described in the section entitled The Support Agreements); |
| the fact that the Broadcom Merger will be subject to a class vote of each of the Broadcom Class A shareholders and the Broadcom Class B shareholders voting separately, providing each class of Broadcom shareholders the ability to separately approve or disapprove the Transactions; |
| the right of Broadcom to seek to specifically enforce Avagos obligations under the Merger Agreement (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementSpecific Performance); |
| the availability of dissenters rights under California law for any Broadcom shareholders who oppose approval of the Merger Agreement; |
| the customary nature of the other representations, warranties and covenants of Broadcom in the Merger Agreement; and |
| the requirement that Avago or Broadcom pay a termination fee to the other party under certain circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementTransaction Expenses and Termination Fees). |
In the course of its deliberations, the Broadcom board of directors, in consultation with Broadcoms management and the Special Committee, also considered a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:
| the possibility that the Transactions may not be completed or that completion may be unduly delayed for reasons beyond the control of Broadcom and/or Avago, including the potential length of the regulatory review process and the risk that applicable antitrust and competition authorities may prohibit or enjoin the proposed Transactions or otherwise impose conditions on Broadcom and/or Avago in order to obtain clearance for the Transactions; |
| the fact that (subject to proration) the exchange ratio is fixed, indicating that Broadcom shareholders could be adversely affected by a decrease in the trading price of Avago Ordinary Shares between the announcement and completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the fact that the Merger Agreement does not provide Broadcom with a price-based termination right or other similar protection in favor of Broadcom or its shareholders (other than the cash component of the merger consideration); |
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| the anticipated impact on the trading price of Broadcoms stock as a result of the complexity of the election mechanisms provided for in the Merger Agreement; |
| the fact that, except for shareholders who elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units, the amount of equity that a Broadcom shareholder may receive is subject to proration and therefore the opportunity to participate in the equity value of the combined company may be limited to that extent; |
| the fact that the election to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units carries with it significant illiquidity and lack of flexibility that make such election relatively unattractive for shareholders who are not particularly tax sensitive or willing to be long-term holders of equity in the combined company, or unable to do so due to investment policies or other restrictions, but who might otherwise desire to receive equity in the combined company without being subject to proration; |
| the potential for diversion of management and employee attention and for increased employee attrition during the period prior to completion of the proposed Transactions, and the potential effect of the proposed Transactions on Broadcoms business and relations with customers, suppliers and strategic alliance and joint venture partners; |
| the restrictions on the conduct of Broadcoms business prior to completion of the proposed Transactions, requiring Broadcom to conduct its business only in the ordinary and usual course of business in all material respects consistent with past practice, subject to specific limitations, which could delay or prevent Broadcom from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the Transactions and could negatively impact Broadcoms ability to attract and retain employees and decisions of customers, suppliers and strategic alliance and joint venture partners; |
| the difficulty inherent in integrating the businesses, assets and workforces of two large companies and the risk that anticipated strategic and other benefits to Avago and Broadcom following completion of the proposed Transactions, including the forecasted cost synergies described above, will not be realized or will take longer to realize than expected; |
| the transaction costs to be incurred in connection with the proposed Transactions, whether or not the proposed Transactions are completed; |
| the fact that the Merger Agreement includes restrictions on the ability of Broadcom to solicit proposals for alternative transactions or engage in discussions regarding such proposals, subject to exceptions and termination provisions, which in some cases require payment of a termination fee by Broadcom (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation by Broadcom; No Change in Broadcom Board Recommendation), which could have the effect of discouraging such proposals from being made or pursued; |
| Avagos right to engage in negotiations with, and provide information to, a third party that makes an unsolicited proposal relating to an alternative transaction, only if the Avago board determines in good faith (i) after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel that such proposal is, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a superior proposal and (ii) after consultation with its outside legal counsel that the failure to participate in such negotiations or provide such information would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Avago board (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation by Avago; No Change in Avago Board Recommendation); |
| the right of the Avago board of directors to change its recommendation in favor of the Avago Scheme or terminate the Merger Agreement only if it has determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its directors fiduciary duties, subject to certain conditions (including providing notice to Broadcom and taking into account any modifications to the terms of the Transactions that are proposed by Avago); |
| the fact that in return for the two principal holders of shares of Broadcom Class B common stock signing the Support Agreements pursuant to which they agreed to vote their Broadcom Common |
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Shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Broadcom Merger) and against any alternative acquisition proposals until termination of the Support Agreements, Broadcom agreed (i) to pay certain costs and expenses (up to a $1.2 million cap as set forth in the Support Agreements) of such shareholders relating to the Support Agreements and (ii) to indemnify such shareholders and certain of their representatives against certain claims relating to the Support Agreements (as more fully described in the section entitled The Support Agreements); |
| the risk that Avago shareholders may not approve the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal; |
| the fact that if the Transactions are not completed, Broadcom will have expended significant human and financial resources on a failed transaction, and may also be required to pay a termination fee under various circumstances (as more fully described in the section entitled The Merger AgreementTransaction Expenses and Termination Fees); and |
| various other risks associated with the Transactions and the business of Broadcom and the combined company described in the sections titled Risk Factors and Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. |
The Broadcom board of directors considered all of these factors as a whole, and concluded, on balance, that they supported a determination to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Broadcom Merger. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Broadcom board of directors is not exhaustive. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by the Broadcom board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the proposed Transactions and the complexity of these matters, the Broadcom board of directors did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching its decision. The Broadcom board of directors evaluated the factors described above, among others, in consultation with Broadcoms management and the Special Committee and their respective legal and financial advisors, and concluded that the Merger Agreement, the California Merger Agreements, the Broadcom Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, were advisable and in the best interests of Broadcom and its shareholders. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of the Broadcom board of directors may have viewed factors differently or given different weight or merit to different factors.
In considering the recommendation of the Broadcom board of directors to approve the Broadcom Merger Proposal, Broadcom shareholders should be aware that Broadcoms executive officers and directors may have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of Broadcom shareholders generally. The Broadcom board of directors was aware of these interests during its deliberations on the merits of the Transactions and in deciding to recommend that Broadcom shareholders vote FOR the Broadcom Merger Proposal. See the section entitled Interests of Certain Persons Related to Broadcom in the Transactions.
Recommendation of the Avago Board of Directors and its Reasons for the Transactions
At its meeting on May 27, 2015, the Avago board of directors unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement, the Transactions and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Avago and its shareholders, (ii) approved the Merger Agreement, the Avago Scheme, the Transactions and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (iii) subject to the other terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Avago approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions applicable to Avago contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Avago board of directors unanimously recommends that Avago shareholders vote FOR the Avago Scheme Proposal and FOR the Equity Issuance Proposal.
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In arriving at its determination, the Avago board of directors consulted with Avagos senior management and outside financial, accounting and legal advisors and considered a number of factors that it believed supported its determination. These positive factors included, but were not limited to, the following (not in any relative order of importance):
Strategic Considerations
| Holdco is expected to be the third largest global semiconductor company measured by revenue, with a combined enterprise value of approximately $77 billion and over $15 billion in expected annual revenues; |
| The acquisition of Broadcom will broaden Avagos portfolio of products, which will enable Holdco to better address the evolving needs of customers across the wireline and wireless end markets, increase the diversity of Avagos business mix and enhance growth potential; |
| Holdco will expand upon Avagos global footprint and have the scale to invest, innovate and more effectively compete in a consolidating semiconductor industry; |
| The larger scale organization, greater marketing resources and financial strength of Holdco will lead to improved opportunities for marketing and cross-selling the combined companys products; |
| Holdco is expected to maintain Avagos and Broadcoms existing businesses, each of which is profitable with significant potential for further global growth; |
| The Broadcom name will strengthen brand equity, ensure customer recognition and respect, and expand Holdcos reach across the wireline and wireless markets; and |
| Holdco will combine the global talents of both companies and provide Holdco with access to Broadcoms broad intellectual property portfolio and other resources after the completion of the Transactions. |
Forecasted Synergies and Other Financial Considerations
| The combined company is projected to achieve $750 million of annual run-rate cost synergies within 18 months from the close of the Transactions; |
| Over the longer term, Holdco will seek to achieve operating profitability consistent with Avagos long-term target financial model; and |
| The Transactions are projected to be immediately accretive to Avagos non-GAAP earnings per share and cash flow. |
Merger Agreement
| The review by the Avago board of directors with its advisors of the structure of the proposed transaction and the financial and other terms of the Merger Agreement, including the parties representations, warranties and covenants, the conditions to their respective obligations and the termination provisions, as well as the likelihood of the completion of the proposed transaction and the evaluation by the Avago board of directors of the likely time period necessary to complete the transaction; and |
| The Avago board of directors also considered the following specific aspects of the Merger Agreement: |
| the limited number and nature of the closing conditions included in the Merger Agreement, as well as the likelihood of satisfaction of all conditions to the completion of the Transactions; |
| the representations and warranties made by Broadcom, as well as the interim operating covenants agreed to by Broadcom requiring Broadcom to conduct its business in the ordinary course prior to completion of the Transactions, subject to specific limitations; |
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| the fact that the Merger Agreement includes restrictions on the ability of Broadcom to solicit proposals for alternative transactions or engage in discussions regarding such proposals, subject to certain exceptions and Avagos right to match any such proposals; |
| the ability of Avago to terminate the Merger Agreement and receive a $1.0 billion termination fee from Broadcom in the event the Broadcom board of directors changes its recommendation in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement; |
| the fact that Avago shareholders will have an opportunity to approve the Avago Scheme Proposal and the Equity Issuance Proposal and in the event of a rejection by Avago shareholders, Avagos maximum liability to Broadcom under the Merger Agreement is an approximately $332.6 million termination fee to Broadcom (unless Avago accepts or completes an alternative transaction within 12 months of termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, in which event Avago will pay a $1.0 billion termination fee to Broadcom); and |
| the fact that Dr. Nicholas, Dr. Samueli and entities affiliated with each of them, which, as of June 30, 2015, held an aggregate of 149,043 shares of Broadcom Class A common stock (representing approximately 0.03% of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class A common stock) and 47,916,270 shares of Broadcom Class B common stock (representing approximately 99.5% of the outstanding shares of Broadcom Class B common stock), have agreed to vote in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Broadcom Merger, subject to certain exceptions. |
Due Diligence
| Avagos due diligence review and investigations of the business, operations, financial condition, strategy and future prospects of Broadcom. |
Financing the Transactions
| The terms of the debt financing expected to be obtained in connection with the Transactions and the likelihood that the necessary financing will be obtained given the financing commitments obtained in connection with the Transactions. |
Implied Ownership
| Existing Avago shareholders and Broadcom shareholders are expected to hold approximately 67% and 33%, respectively, of the issued shares in the capital of Holdco after completion of the combination (including for purposes of such percentages the exchange of Restricted Exchangeable Units on a one-for-one basis for Holdco Ordinary Shares and assuming holders of no more than 50% of outstanding Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares). |
Opinion of Financial Advisor
| The financial analyses reviewed and discussed with the Avago board of directors by representatives of Deutsche Bank, as well as the oral opinion of Deutsche Bank rendered to the Avago board of directors on May 27, 2015 (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of a written opinion of Deutsche Bank, dated May 28, 2015) to the effect that as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions described in Deutsche Banks opinion, the Avago Scheme Consideration (taking into account the Broadcom Merger) was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of issued Avago Ordinary Shares. |
Recommendation by Avago Management
| Avago managements recommendation in favor of the proposed transaction. |
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The Avago board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties and risks and other potentially negative factors concerning the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the following:
| The risk that because the exchange ratio of Holdco Ordinary Shares and Restricted Exchangeable Units to be paid to Broadcom shareholders electing to receive such consideration is fixed, the value of the consideration to be paid by Avago could fluctuate between the original signing of the Merger Agreement and the completion of the Transactions contemplated; |
| The risk of diverting Avago management focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from operational matters while working to implement the Transactions, and other potential disruption associated with combining and integrating the companies, and the potential effects of such diversion and disruption on the businesses and customer relationships of Avago and Broadcom; |
| The requirement that Avago pay Broadcom a termination fee of either $1.0 billion or approximately $332.6 million under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement; |
| The amount of indebtedness required to finance the Transactions and the related restrictions to which the combined company would be subject; |
| The restrictions on the conduct of Avagos business prior to the completion of the Transactions, which could delay or prevent Avago from undertaking some business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the Transactions; |
| The risk that the Transactions might not be completed in a timely manner or at all and the attendant adverse consequences for Avagos business (and Broadcoms businesses if the Transactions were completed) as a result of the pendency of the Transactions and operational disruption; |
| The fact that, as a result of the Transactions, Avago expects to recognize significant transaction-related costs, a considerable portion of which will be incurred whether or not the Transactions are consummated (and a substantial amount of which has been recognized as of the date of this document); |
| The risk that Broadcom shareholders might not approve the Merger Agreement or the Avago shareholders might not approve the Avago Scheme; |
| The risks associated with the occurrence of events which may materially and adversely affect the operations or financial condition of Broadcom and its subsidiaries, which events may not entitle Avago to terminate the Merger Agreement; |
| The risk that the forecasted benefits, savings and synergies of the Transactions may not be fully or partially achieved, or may not be achieved within the expected timeframe; |
| The risk that changes in law or regulation, including risks of changes in U.S. tax laws, could adversely impact the expected benefits of the Transactions to Avago and its shareholders; and |
| Other risks associated with the combination and the businesses of Avago, Broadcom and the combined company, which are described under Risk Factors beginning on page 45 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
The Avago board of directors concluded that the potential benefits that it expected Avago and its shareholders to achieve as a result of the Transactions outweighed the potentially negative factors associated with the Transactions. Accordingly, the Avago board of directors approved the Merger Agreement, the Avago Scheme, the Transactions and the other transactions applicable to Avago contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Avago board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes material factors considered by the Avago board of directors. In view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the combination, the Avago board of directors did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific
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factors considered in reaching its determination and recommendation. In addition, individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Avago board of directors did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any factor, or any particular aspect of any factor, supported or did not support its ultimate determination. The Avago board of directors based its recommendation on the totality of the information presented.
Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcom
Pursuant to an engagement letter dated May 15, 2015, Broadcom retained J.P. Morgan as its financial advisor in connection with the Combination. Combination refers to the Transactions, taken together as a single integrated transaction.
At the meeting of the Broadcom board of directors held on May 27, 2015, J.P. Morgan rendered its oral opinion to the Broadcom board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in J.P. Morgans opinion, the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, in the Combination was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. J.P. Morgan subsequently confirmed its oral opinion by delivering its written opinion, dated May 28, 2015. No limitations were imposed by the Broadcom board of directors upon J.P. Morgan with respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by it in rendering its opinion.
The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken, is attached as Annex G to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. Broadcoms shareholders are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. J.P. Morgans written opinion is addressed to the Broadcom board of directors, is directed only to the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid in the Combination to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote with respect to the Transactions or any other matter, including, without limitation, whether any Broadcom shareholder should elect to receive cash, Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units or make no election in the Combination. The summary of the opinion of J.P. Morgan set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not purport to be a complete description and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan, among other things:
| reviewed the draft of the Merger Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2015; |
| reviewed the draft of the form of Support Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2015; |
| reviewed the draft of the Amended and Restated Exempted Limited Partnership Agreement of Safari Cayman L.P., dated as of May 26, 2015; |
| reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning Broadcom and Avago and the industries in which they operate; |
| compared the proposed financial terms of the Combination with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and the consideration paid for such companies; |
| compared the financial and operating performance of Broadcom and Avago with publicly available information concerning certain other companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of Broadcom Class A common stock, Avago Ordinary Shares and certain publicly traded securities of such other companies; |
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| reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the managements of Broadcom and Avago relating to their respective businesses, as well as the estimated amount and timing of the cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the Combination (which we refer to in this section as the Synergies); and |
| performed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information as J.P. Morgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion. |
J.P. Morgan held discussions with certain members of the managements of Broadcom and Avago with respect to certain aspects of the Combination, and the past and current business operations of Broadcom and Avago, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of Broadcom and Avago, the effects of the Combination on the financial condition and future prospects of Broadcom and Avago, and certain other matters J.P. Morgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.
J.P. Morgan relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to or discussed with J.P. Morgan by Broadcom and Avago or otherwise reviewed by or for J.P. Morgan, and J.P. Morgan has not independently verified (nor has J.P. Morgan assumed responsibility or liability for independently verifying) any such information or its accuracy or completeness. J.P. Morgan did not conduct and has not been provided with any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, nor did J.P. Morgan evaluate the solvency of Broadcom or any of the Avago Parties under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to it or derived therefrom, including the Synergies, J.P. Morgan assumed that they were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by Broadcoms and Avagos respective managements as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of Broadcom and Avago to which such analyses or forecasts relate. J.P. Morgan expresses no view as to such analyses or forecasts (including the Synergies) or the assumptions on which they were based. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the Combination and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will have the tax consequences described in discussions with, and materials furnished to J.P. Morgan by, representatives of Broadcom, and will be consummated as described in the Merger Agreement, and that the definitive Merger Agreement and the final form of any other agreement listed in the second preceding paragraph would not differ in any material respects from the drafts thereof furnished to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the representations and warranties made by Broadcom and the Avago Parties in the Merger Agreement and the related agreements were and will be true and correct in all respects material to J.P. Morgans analysis. J.P. Morgan indicated that it is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and that it relied on the assessments made by advisors to Broadcom with respect to such issues. J.P. Morgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Combination would be obtained without any adverse effect on Broadcom, the Avago Parties or on the contemplated benefits of the Combination. J.P. Morgan further assumed for purposes of its opinion that a Restricted Exchangeable Unit and a Holdco Ordinary Share are all economically equivalent.
The respective projections furnished to J.P. Morgan for Broadcom and Avago were prepared by the respective managements of Broadcom and Avago, as discussed more fully under Certain Financial Forecasts Utilized by Broadcom in Connection with the Transactions and Certain Financial Forecasts Utilized by Avago in Connection with the Transactions. Broadcom and Avago do not publicly disclose internal management projections of the type provided to J.P. Morgan in connection with J.P. Morgans analysis of the Combination, 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. In connection with its financial analyses, in addition to the Avago Management Projections (as defined below and discussed more fully under the caption Certain Financial Forecasts Utilized by Broadcom in Connection with the Transactions) provided to Broadcom, J.P. Morgan utilized extrapolations for Avago for FY2017 based on such Avago Management Projections and discussions with Avago, which were reviewed by Broadcom. These
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extrapolations included: Revenue of $8,018 million, Non-GAAP Gross Margin of 60%, Adjusted Operating Profit of 42%, Adjusted EPS (excluding SBC) of $9.77 and Adjusted EPS (including SBC) of $9.05.
J.P. Morgans opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to J.P. Morgan as of, the date of its opinion. Developments subsequent to the date of J.P. Morgans opinion may affect J.P. Morgans opinion and J.P. Morgan does not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm such opinion. J.P. Morgans opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, other than any holders which are affiliates of Broadcom, in the Combination and J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion as to (i) the fairness of any consideration paid in connection with the Combination to the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Broadcom, (ii) the allocation of the Broadcom Merger Consideration between the holders of Broadcom Class A common stock and the holders of Broadcom Class B common stock or (iii) the underlying decision by Broadcom to engage in the Combination. J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or employees of any party to the Combination, or any class of such persons relative to the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares in the Combination or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation. J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion as to the price at which Broadcom Common Shares, Avago Ordinary Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units will trade at any future time, whether before or after the closing of the Combination. Further, J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion on any discount that might be applied to Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units.
In accordance with customary investment banking practice, J.P. Morgan employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses utilized by J.P. Morgan in connection with providing its opinion. It does not purport to be a complete summary thereof. The financial analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand J.P. Morgans financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the data described below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of J.P. Morgans financial analyses.
Broadcom Financial Analyses
J.P. Morgan performed the following analyses with respect to Broadcom.
Public Trading Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan compared selected financial data of Broadcom with similar data for selected publicly traded companies engaged in businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be sufficiently analogous to Broadcoms business or aspects thereof for purposes of analysis. The companies selected by J.P. Morgan were:
| Avago Technologies Ltd. |
| Intel Corporation |
| Qualcomm Incorporated |
The companies were selected, among other reasons, because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of J.P. Morgans analyses, may be considered similar to those of Broadcom based on sector participation, financial metrics and form of operations. None of the selected companies reviewed is identical to Broadcom. Accordingly, a complete analysis of the results of the following calculations cannot be limited to a quantitative review of such results and involves complex considerations and judgments concerning the differences in the financial and operating characteristics of the selected companies compared to those of Broadcom and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the selected companies and Broadcom.
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For the selected companies listed above, J.P. Morgan calculated the multiple of share price to estimated earnings per share, or EPS, for calendar year 2016, which is referred to below as P/E 2016E. The multiples were based on the selected companies closing share prices on May 26, 2015 and publicly available Wall Street analysts consensus estimates.
Company |
P/E 2016E | |||
Avago Technologies Ltd. |
14.4x | |||
Intel Corporation |
11.9x | |||
Qualcomm Incorporated |
13.2x |
Based on the results of this analysis and other factors that J.P. Morgan considered appropriate, J.P. Morgan selected a multiple reference range of 12.0x to 14.0x for P/E 2016E. This range was then applied to (i) Wall Street analysts consensus estimates of Broadcoms EPS for calendar year 2016 and (ii) Broadcom managements estimate of Broadcoms EPS for calendar year 2016, yielding the following implied per share equity value ranges for the Broadcom Common Shares, rounded to the nearest $0.25:
Implied Per Share Equity Value Range of Broadcom Common Shares |
||||
P/E 2016E (Wall Street analysts) |
$ | 45.75 - $53.25 | ||
P/E 2016E (Broadcom Management) |
$ | 42.25 - $49.25 |
J.P. Morgan compared the implied per share equity value ranges of the Broadcom Common Shares to (i) an all cash offer price of $54.50 per Broadcom Common Share assuming the Broadcom Merger Consideration were paid 100% in cash, (ii) the effective offer price of $55.99 per Broadcom Common Share, assuming the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration received by a Broadcom shareholder consisted of $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units, based on the closing share price of Avago Ordinary Shares on May 26, 2015, and (iii) the intrinsic value of the Broadcom Merger Consideration, which was valued at $63.00 per Broadcom Common Share (as described below under Intrinsic Value of Broadcom Merger ConsiderationDCF Based).
Transaction Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan examined selected transactions involving businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be sufficiently analogous to Broadcoms business or aspects thereof for purposes of analysis. For each of the selected transactions, J.P. Morgan calculated the ratio of the target companys firm value, or FV, to the target companys earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, for the twelve-month period following the announcement date of the applicable transaction, which is referred to below as NTM EBITDA.
Target |
Acquiror |
FV / NTM EBITDA | ||
Omnivision Technologies, Inc. |
Chinese Consortium | 9.5x | ||
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. |
NXP Semiconductors N.V. | 13.7x | ||
Spansion Inc. |
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation | 9.2x | ||
International Rectifier Corporation |
Infineon Technologies AG | 9.3x | ||
Aeroflex Incorporated |
Cobham plc | 10.7x | ||
TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. |
RF Micro Devices, Inc. | 8.9x | ||
LSI Corporation |
Avago Technologies Ltd. | 14.0x | ||
MStar Semiconductor, Inc. |
MediaTek Inc. | 9.3x | ||
National Semiconductor Corporation |
Texas Instruments Incorporated | 10.7x |
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Based on the results of this analysis and other factors that J.P. Morgan considered appropriate, J.P. Morgan selected a multiple reference range of 9.0x to 14.0x for FV to NTM EBITDA. This range was then applied to Broadcom managements estimate of Broadcoms EBITDA for the twelve-month period following the expected announcement date of the Combination, yielding the following implied per share equity value range for the Broadcom Common Shares, rounded to the nearest $0.25:
Implied Per Share Equity Value Range of Broadcom Common Shares |
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FV / NTM EBITDA (Broadcom Management) |
$ | 40.25 - $58.75 |
J.P. Morgan compared the implied per share equity value ranges of the Broadcom Common Shares to (i) an all cash offer price of $54.50 per Broadcom Common Share assuming the Broadcom Merger Consideration were paid 100% in cash, (ii) the effective offer price of $55.99 per Broadcom Common Share, assuming the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration received by a Broadcom shareholder consisted of $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units, based on the closing share price of Avago Ordinary Shares on May 26, 2015, and (iii) the intrinsic value of the Broadcom Merger Consideration, which was valued at $63.00 per Broadcom Common Share (as described below under Intrinsic Value of Broadcom Merger ConsiderationDCF Based).
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining the fully diluted equity value per share for the Broadcom Common Shares. J.P. Morgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that Broadcom is expected to generate (1) during calendar years 2015 through 2017 based upon the Broadcom Management Projections (as defined below), and (2) during calendar years 2018 through 2024 based upon extrapolations from the Broadcom Management Projections, as reviewed and approved by Broadcoms management for J.P. Morgans use in connection with its financial analysis and rendering its opinion. J.P. Morgan treated stock-based compensation as a cash expense in the unlevered free cash flow calculation for purposes of its discounted cash flow analysis, as stock-based compensation was viewed as a true economic expense of the business. J.P. Morgan calculated a range of terminal values for Broadcom at the end of the projection period by applying terminal value growth rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%. The unlevered free cash flows and terminal values were then discounted to present values using discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 11.0%. The present values of the unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values were then adjusted for Broadcoms net cash and divided by the fully diluted shares outstanding. The discounted cash flow analysis indicated an implied per share equity value range for the Broadcom Common Shares, rounded to the nearest $0.25, of $42.75 to $58.00.
J.P. Morgan compared the implied per share equity value ranges of the Broadcom Common Shares to (i) an all cash offer price of $54.50 per Broadcom Common Share assuming the Broadcom Merger Consideration were paid 100% in cash, (ii) the effective offer price of $55.99 per Broadcom Common Share, assuming the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration received by a Broadcom shareholder consisted of $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units, based on the closing share price of Avago Ordinary Shares on May 26, 2015, and (iii) the intrinsic value of the Broadcom Merger Consideration, which was valued at $63.00 per Broadcom Common Share (as described below under Intrinsic Value of Broadcom Merger ConsiderationDCF Based).
Avago Financial Analyses
J.P. Morgan performed the following analyses with respect to Avago.
Public Trading Multiples Analysis. Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan compared selected financial data of Avago with similar data for selected publicly traded companies engaged in businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be sufficiently analogous to Avagos business or aspects thereof for purposes of analysis. The companies selected by J.P. Morgan were:
| Broadcom Corporation |
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| Intel Corporation |
| Marvell Technology Group Ltd. |
| Qualcomm Incorporated |
| Skyworks Solutions, Inc. |
The companies were selected, among other reasons, because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of J.P. Morgans analyses, may be considered similar to those of Avago based on sector participation, financial metrics and form of operations. None of the selected companies reviewed is identical to Avago. Accordingly, a complete analysis of the results of the following calculations cannot be limited to a quantitative review of such results and involves complex considerations and judgments concerning the differences in the financial and operating characteristics of the selected companies compared to those of Avago and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the selected companies and Avago.
For the selected companies listed above, J.P. Morgan calculated the multiple of share price to estimated EPS for fiscal year 2016, which is referred to below as P/E 2016E. The multiples were based on the selected companies closing share prices on May 26, 2015 and publicly available Wall Street analysts consensus estimates.
Company |
P/E 2016E | |||
Broadcom Corporation Intel Corporation |
|
12.4x 11.9x |
| |
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. |
17.7x | |||
Qualcomm Incorporated |
13.2x | |||
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. |
17.0x |
Based on the results of this analysis and other factors that J.P. Morgan considered appropriate, J.P. Morgan selected a multiple reference range of 13.0x to 15.0x for P/E 2016E. This range was then applied to (i) Wall Street analysts consensus estimate of Avagos EPS for fiscal year 2016 and (ii) Avago managements estimate of Avagos EPS for fiscal year 2016, yielding the following implied per share equity value ranges for the Avago Ordinary Shares, rounded to the nearest $0.25:
Implied Per Share Equity Value Range of Avago Ordinary Shares |
||||
P/E 2016E (Wall Street analysts) |
$ | 118.50 - $136.75 | ||
P/E 2016E (Avago Management) |
$ | 123.25 - $142.25 |
J.P. Morgan compared the implied per share equity value ranges of the Avago Ordinary Shares to the $131.30 per share closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares as of May 26, 2015.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining the fully diluted equity value per share for the Avago Ordinary Shares. J.P. Morgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that Avago is expected to generate (1) during fiscal years 2015 through 2016 based upon the Avago Management Projections provided to Broadcom, and (2) during fiscal years 2017 through 2024 based upon extrapolations from such Avago Management Projections, as reviewed by Broadcom. J.P. Morgan treated stock-based compensation as a cash expense in the unlevered free cash flow calculation for purposes of its discounted cash flow analysis, as stock-based compensation was viewed as a true economic expense of the business. J.P. Morgan calculated a range of terminal values for Avago at the end of the projection period by applying terminal value growth rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%. The unlevered free cash flows and terminal values were then discounted to present values using discount rates ranging from 8.5% to 10.5%. The present values of the unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values were then adjusted for Avagos net debt and divided by the fully diluted shares outstanding. The discounted cash flow analysis indicated an implied per share equity value range for the Avago Ordinary Shares, rounded to the nearest $0.25, of $130.00 to $199.75.
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J.P. Morgan compared the implied per share equity value range of the Avago Ordinary Shares to the $131.30 per share closing price of Avago Ordinary Shares as of May 26, 2015.
Intrinsic Value of Broadcom Merger ConsiderationDCF Based
J.P. Morgan analyzed the intrinsic value of the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration based on a discounted cash flow approach, assuming the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration received by a Broadcom shareholder consisted of $27.25 in cash and 0.2189 Holdco Ordinary Shares (which assumes no more than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares and a full proration of the Broadcom Merger Consideration). To determine the intrinsic value of the equity component of the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration, J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis of the pro forma unlevered free cash flows of the combined company. J.P. Morgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that the pro forma combined company is expected to generate during fiscal years 2015 through 2024 based upon the Broadcom Management Projections and the Avago Management Projections provided to Broadcom (and extrapolations thereof which were reviewed by Broadcom) taking into account Synergies of $750 million, less the estimates of the managements of Broadcom and Avago of their respective transaction-related expenses. J.P. Morgan treated stock-based compensation as a cash expense in the unlevered free cash flow calculation for purposes of its discounted cash flow analysis, as stock-based compensation was viewed as a true economic expense of each business. J.P. Morgan calculated a range of terminal values for the pro forma combined company at the end of the projection period by applying terminal value growth rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.5%. The unlevered free cash flows and terminal values were then discounted to present values using discount rates ranging from 8.5% to 10.5%. The present values of the unlevered free cash flows and terminal values were then adjusted for the pro forma net debt of the combined company and divided by the pro forma fully diluted shares of the combined company to calculate a range of implied per share equity values for the pro forma combined company. The range of implied per share equity values for the pro forma combined company was then multiplied by 0.2189 and added to $27.25 in cash to arrive at a range of intrinsic values for the per share Broadcom Merger Consideration (assuming no more than 50% of Broadcom Common Shares are Unit Electing Shares and a full proration of the Broadcom Merger Consideration), rounded to the nearest $0.25, of $55.75 to $74.75 per Broadcom Common Share.
Relative Implied Exchange Ratio Analyses
Based upon the implied valuations for each of Broadcom and Avago derived as described above under Broadcom Financial AnalysesPublic Trading Multiples Analysis for Broadcom, Broadcom Financial AnalysesDiscounted Cash Flow Analysis for Broadcom, Avago Financial AnalysesPublic Trading Multiples Analysis for Avago, and Avago Financial AnalysesDiscounted Cash Flow Analysis for Avago, J.P. Morgan calculated ranges of implied exchange ratios of the number of Avago Ordinary Shares per Broadcom Common Share.
For each of the comparisons, J.P. Morgan derived the high end of the implied range of exchange ratios by dividing the high end of the implied per share equity value range of the Broadcom Common Shares in the applicable analysis for Broadcom by the low end of the implied per share equity value range of the Avago Ordinary Shares in the corresponding analysis for Avago. J.P. Morgan derived the low end of the implied range of exchange ratios by dividing the low end of the implied per share equity value range of the Broadcom Common Shares in the applicable analysis for Broadcom by the high end of the implied per share equity value range of the Avago Ordinary Shares in the corresponding analysis for Avago. The results of the relative valuation analyses are presented below.
Implied Range of Exchange Ratios |
||||||||
Low | High | |||||||
Public Trading Multiples (Wall Street analysts) |
0.3342x | 0.4498x | ||||||
Public Trading Multiples (Management) |
0.2966x | 0.3992x | ||||||
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis (Management) |
0.2137x | 0.4451x |
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J.P. Morgan compared the implied ranges of exchange ratios to an all equity offer price of 0.4378 Avago Ordinary Shares for each Broadcom Common Share assuming the Broadcom Merger Consideration were paid 100% in Holdco Ordinary Shares or Restricted Exchangeable Units.
General
The foregoing summary of certain material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by J.P. Morgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. J.P. Morgan 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, J.P. Morgan 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, J.P. Morgan 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 J.P. Morgan are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses. Moreover, J.P. Morgans 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 Broadcom or Avago, and none of the selected transactions reviewed was identical to the Combination. However, the companies selected were chosen because they are companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of J.P. Morgans analysis, may be considered similar to those of Broadcom or Avago. The transactions selected were similarly chosen because their size and other factors, including the industries in which the participant companies operated, for purposes of J.P. Morgans analysis, may be considered similar to the Combination. 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 Broadcom and Avago and the transactions compared to the Combination.
As a part of its investment banking business, J.P. Morgan 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. J.P. Morgan was selected to advise Broadcom with respect to the Combination on the basis of such experience and its familiarity with Broadcom.
For services rendered in connection with the Combination, Broadcom has agreed to pay J.P. Morgan a transaction fee of 0.14% of the total Consideration to be paid to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares, $3 million of which was payable upon the earlier of public announcement of the Combination or delivery by J.P. Morgan of its opinion, and the remainder of which will be due upon the consummation of the Combination. The term Consideration shall mean the total amount of cash and the fair market value of other property paid or payable (including amounts paid into escrow) to Broadcom (including its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates), its shareholders and/or holders of its other securities convertible into equity in connection with the Combination, including amounts paid or payable to acquire unexercised or unconverted warrants, convertible securities, options or similar rights, whether or not vested. For purposes of determining the fair market value of any non-cash Consideration, such determination shall be made on the business day preceding the closing of the Combination, except that if any part of the Consideration consists of marketable securities, for purposes of determining the amount of the Consideration the value of those securities shall be determined by using the average of the last sale prices for those securities on the 10 trading days ending the last business day preceding the closing of the Combination. In addition, Broadcom has agreed to reimburse J.P. Morgan for its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify J.P. Morgan against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, relating or arising out of activities performed or services furnished pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Combination, or J.P. Morgans role in connection therewith.
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During the two years preceding the date of delivery of its opinion, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates have had commercial or investment banking relationships with the Avago Parties, for which J.P. Morgan and such affiliates received an aggregate of less than $1 million in compensation. During the two years preceding the date of delivery of its opinion, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates have had commercial or investment banking relationships with Broadcom, for which J.P. Morgan and such affiliates have received customary compensation. Such services during such period have included acting as financial advisor to Broadcom on its review of strategic alternatives for its cellular baseband business in June 2014 and as bookrunner on Broadcoms debt offering in July 2014. In addition, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates hold, on a proprietary basis, less than 1% of the outstanding Broadcom Common Shares and less than 1% of the outstanding Avago Ordinary Shares. In the ordinary course of J.P. Morgans businesses, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Broadcom or any of the Avago Parties for its own account or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, J.P. Morgan may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.
Summary of Financial Analysis and Opinion of Financial Advisor to Broadcoms Special Committee
On May 26, 2015, at a meeting of the Special Committee, the Special Committee considered that, although the Merger Agreement provided the holders of Broadcoms Class A common stock and Class B common stock with the identical opportunity to elect the form of merger consideration they desired, it was recognized that some holders of Broadcom Common Shares might be unwilling or unable, due to investment policies or other restrictions, to commit to the holding period and other terms of the Restricted Exchangeable Units. Accordingly, the Special Committee directed Evercore to focus its opinion on whether the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
On May 27, 2015, at a meeting of the Special Committee, Evercore delivered to the Special Committee an oral opinion, which opinion was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated May 27, 2015, to the effect that, as of that date and based on and subject to assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review by Evercore as set forth therein, the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares.
The full text of Evercores written opinion, dated May 27, 2015, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, matters considered and limits of its review in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex H to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Broadcom shareholders are urged to read Evercores opinion carefully and in its entirety. Evercores opinion was directed to the Special Committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units to such holders of Broadcom Common Shares. The opinion does not address any other aspect of the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby and does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of Broadcom Common Shares as to how such shareholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the Broadcom Merger. Evercores opinion does not address the relative merits of the Broadcom Merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to Broadcom, nor does it address the underlying business decision of Broadcom to engage in the Broadcom Merger.
In connection with rendering its opinion, Evercore, among other things:
| reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Broadcom and Avago that Evercore deemed to be relevant; |
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| reviewed certain non-public historical financial statements and other non-public historical financial and operating data relating to Broadcom and Avago prepared and furnished to Evercore by the management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively; |
| reviewed certain non-public projected financial data relating to Broadcom and Avago prepared and furnished to Evercore by the management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively; |
| reviewed the amount and timing of the net cost savings and operating synergies estimated by the management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively, to result from the Broadcom Merger; |
| discussed the past and current operations, financial projections and current financial condition of Broadcom and Avago with the management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively; |
| reviewed the reported prices and the historical trading activity of the Broadcom Class A common stock and the Avago Ordinary Shares; |
| compared the financial performance of Broadcom and Avago and the reported prices and historical trading activity of the Broadcom Class A common stock and the Avago Ordinary Shares with those of certain other publicly traded companies that Evercore deemed relevant; |
| reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain business combinations that Evercore deemed relevant; |
| reviewed a draft dated May 26, 2015 of the Merger Agreement, which Evercore assumed was in substantially final form and from which Evercore assumed the final form would not vary in any respect material to its analysis; |
| took into account the terms and conditions of the Restricted Exchangeable Units and the range of potential relative allocations of the Broadcom Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of common shares who elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units pursuant to the Merger Agreement; and |
| performed such other financial analyses and examinations and considered such other factors that Evercore deemed appropriate. |
For purposes of its analysis and opinion, Evercore assumed and relied upon, without undertaking any independent verification of, the accuracy and completeness of all of the information publicly available, and all of the information supplied or otherwise made available to, discussed with, or reviewed by Evercore, and Evercore assumed no liability therefor. With respect to the projected financial data relating to Broadcom and Avago referred to above, Evercore assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best available estimates and good faith judgments of management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively, as to the matters covered thereby. Evercore expressed no view as to any projected financial data relating to Broadcom or Avago or the assumptions on which they are based. With respect to the net cost savings and operating synergies estimated by the management of Broadcom and Avago, respectively, referred to above, Evercore assumed that such estimates were reasonable and would be realized, although Evercore expressed no view as to such estimates or the assumptions on which they are based. With the agreement of the Special Committee, Evercore assumed for purposes of its analyses and opinion that between the date of its opinion and the Election Deadline the share trading multiples of the Broadcom Class A common shares and the Avago Ordinary Shares would remain within recently observed trading levels for each company and their peers and Evercore further considered Avago multiple expansion sensitivities. For purposes of its opinion, Evercore noted that holders of Broadcom Class A common shares who do not wish to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units would be able to sell their Broadcom Class A common shares in the market prior to the Broadcom Merger. Evercores opinion and analysis did not address any differential tax treatment that may apply to holders of Broadcom Common Shares who elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units and those who do not so elect or any restrictions applicable to the ability of any holder of Broadcom Common Shares to hold Restricted Exchangeable Units.
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For purposes of rendering its opinion, Evercore assumed, in all respects material to its analysis, that the executed Merger Agreement would be the same as the draft reviewed by it, that the representations and warranties of each party contained in the Merger Agreement were true and correct, that each party will perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under the Merger Agreement and that all conditions to the consummation of the Transactions will be satisfied without material waiver or modification thereof and that the Avago Scheme will be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement. Evercore further assumed that all governmental, regulatory or other consents, approvals or releases necessary for the consummation of the Transactions will be obtained without any material delay, limitation, restriction or condition that would have an adverse effect on Broadcom, the Avago Parties or the consummation of the Transactions or materially reduce the benefits to holders of the Broadcom Common Shares of the Broadcom Merger.
Evercore did not make or assume any responsibility for making any physical inspection, independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Broadcom or the Avago Parties, nor was Evercore furnished with any such valuation or appraisals. Evercore did not evaluate the solvency or fair value of Broadcom or any Avago Party under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. Evercores opinion was necessarily based upon information made available to it as of the date thereof and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed and as could be evaluated on the date thereof. It should be understood that subsequent developments may affect Evercores opinion and that Evercore does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion.
Evercore was not asked to pass upon, and expressed no opinion with respect to, any matter other than the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Broadcom Common Shares (other than any such holders which are affiliates of Broadcom) who may choose not to elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement of the Broadcom Merger consideration. Evercore expressed no view on, and its opinion did not address, any other term or aspect of the Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, including, without limitation, the Avago Scheme, or any term or aspect of any other agreement or instrument contemplated by the Agreement or entered into or amended in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Agreement. Evercore expressed no view on, and its opinion did not address, the fairness of the Transactions to, or any consideration received in connection with the Transactions by, the holders of any other securities, creditors or other constituencies of Broadcom, or the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation to be paid or payable to any of the officers, directors or employees of Broadcom, or any class of such persons, whether relative to the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by holders of Broadcom Common Shares or otherwise. However, as noted above, in arriving at its opinion, Evercore considered the terms and conditions of the Restricted Exchangeable Units and the range of potential relative allocations of the Broadcom Merger consideration to be received by the holders of Broadcom Common Shares who elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Evercores opinion did not address the relative merits of the Broadcom Merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to Broadcom, nor did it address the underlying business decision of Broadcom to engage in the Broadcom Merger. In arriving at its opinion, Evercore was not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any third party with respect to the acquisition of any or all of the shares of Broadcom Class A common stock or Broadcom Class B common stock or any business combination or other extraordinary transaction involving Broadcom.
Evercore assumed that any modification to the structure of the transaction would not vary in any respect material to its analysis. Evercores opinion did not constitute a recommendation to the Special Committee or to any other persons in respect of the Broadcom Merger, including as to how any holder of Broadcom Common Shares should vote or act in respect of the Broadcom Merger and as to whether or not any holder of Broadcom Common Shares should elect to receive Restricted Exchangeable Units, cash or Holdco Ordinary Shares. Evercore expressed no opinion as to the price at which the shares of Broadcom Class A common stock, Avago Ordinary Shares, Holdco Ordinary Shares, or Restricted Exchangeable Units will trade at any time. Evercore are not legal, regulatory, accounting or tax experts, understood the Special Committee had obtained advice on legal,
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regulatory, accounting or tax matters relating to the Broadcom Merger from expert advisors and assumed the accuracy and completeness of assessments by Broadcom and its advisors with respect to legal, regulatory, accounting and tax matters.
Evercore acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee in connection with the Broadcom Merger and received a fee for its services upon the rendering of the opinion. Broadcom has also agreed to reimburse Evercores expenses and to indemnify Evercore against certain liabilities arising out of its engagement. During the two year period prior to the date of Evercore opinion, no material relationship existed between Evercore Group L.L.C. and its affiliates and Broadcom or the Avago parties pursuant to which compensation was received by Evercore Group L.L.C. or its affiliates as a result of such a relationship. Evercore may provide financial or other services to Broadcom or the Avago Parties or their respective affiliates in the future and in connection with any such services Evercore may receive compensation. In the ordinary course of business, Evercore Group L.L.C. or its affiliates may actively trade the securities, or related derivative securities, or financial instruments of Broadcom, Avago and their respective affiliates, for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities or instruments.
Evercores opinion is addressed to, and for the information and benefit of, the Special Committee in its capacity as such, in connection with the Special Committees evaluation of the Broadcom Merger. The issuance of Evercores opinion was approved by an Opinion Committee of Evercore Group L.L.C.
Set forth below is a summary of the material financial analyses conducted by Evercore and reviewed with the Special Committee on May 27, 2015, in connection with Evercores opinion dated May 27, 2015. The order of the analyses described and the results of these analyses do not necessarily represent the relative importance or weight given to these analyses by Evercore.
Evercores opinion was only one of many factors considered by the Special Committee in its evaluation of the Broadcom Merger and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the Special Committee, Broadcoms board of directors or Broadcoms management with respect to the Broadcom Merger or the Broadcom Merger consideration. The Broadcom Merger consideration and the election opportunities offered to holders of Broadcom Common Shares were determined through negotiations between Broadcom and Avago and were approved by the Special Committee and the Broadcom board of directors. Evercore was not involved in any such negotiations among the parties and did not recommend any specific merger consideration or shareholder election alternatives nor did it indicate that any given merger consideration constituted the only appropriate merger consideration.
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 May 26, 2015, and is not necessarily indicative of current or future market conditions.
The following summary of financial analyses includes information presented in tabular format. These tables must be read together with the text of each summary in order to understand fully the financial analyses. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Evercores financial analyses.
Broadcom Financial Analyses
Peer Group Trading Analysis. Evercore compared certain financial and operating information and commonly used valuation measurements for Broadcom to corresponding information and measurements for a group of eight other publicly-traded companies selected by Evercore to be comparable to Broadcom. Although none of the selected companies are, in Evercores opinion, directly comparable to Broadcom, the companies were chosen because, in Evercores opinion, they may be considered similar to Broadcom in certain respects for purposes of its analysis. Evercore selected these companies, among other reasons, because they operate
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businesses that are in the same industry and, in certain cases, share certain operational and financial characteristics with Broadcom. For purposes of this analysis, Evercore used Broadcom management projections provided to Evercore and publicly available financial data. In addition to Avago, the selected comparable companies (the selected companies) were:
Intel Corporation
Qualcomm Incorporated
NXP Semiconductors N.V.
MediaTek Inc.
NVIDIA Corporation
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
STMicroelectronics N.V.
Evercore calculated and compared certain valuation multiples based on 2015 and 2016 estimates for Broadcom and for the selected companies, using share prices as of May 26, 2015. These valuation multiples included the following: enterprise value (which represents total market equity value plus book value of total debt, preferred stock and minority interest less cash and book value of unconsolidated assets) as a multiple of revenue; enterprise value as a multiple of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or non-GAAP EBITDA; and share price as a multiple of non-GAAP earnings per share (commonly referred to as price to earnings or P/E ratio). The range of multiples that Evercore calculated for Broadcom, based on Broadcom management projections and publicly available Wall Street analyst forecasts, and for the selected companies, based on publicly available Wall Street analyst forecasts, is summarized below:
Total Enterprise Value/Revenue |
Total Enterprise Value /Non-GAAP EBITDA |
Non-GAAP Price/Earnings |
||||||||||||||||||||||
2015E | 2016E | 2015E | 2016E | 2015E | 2016E | |||||||||||||||||||
BroadcomWall Street Estimates |
2.97 | x | 2.84 | x | 10.3 | x | 9.6 | x | 12.9 | x | 12.1 | x | ||||||||||||
BroadcomManagement Projections |
3.02 | 2.91 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 13.6 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mean |
2.53 | x | 2.37 | x | 9.9 | x | 8.7 | x | 19.5 | x | 14.9 | x | ||||||||||||
Median |
2.34 | 2.19 |