Current Price: $11.73
Offer Price: $13.00
Upside: 10%
Expiration Date: July 2022
This seems like a timely idea with the merger expected to close in two weeks. The spread seems way too wide right now, but it’s definitely possible that I’ve missed something obvious.
NYSE-listed Israeli-based cybersecurity automation software provider TUFN is getting acquired by a PE firm Turn/River Capital. Consideration stands at $13/share. Pretty much all of the conditions have been satisfied already (including shareholder and regulatory approvals) except for the Israeli Statutory Waiting Period condition. The condition says that 30 days must pass after shareholder approval (June 6) before the merger can be closed. The initial estimates were that this merger will close in Q2, so now it seems it will move slightly into Q3. Overall, this pretty much appears to be a done deal, but despite it all, the spread (which used to be minimal) has widened to 10%.
On a quick glance, it seems that the market putting a decent risk of a deal termination here. Here are a few arguments on why the market might be overestimating the risk:
- Timing-wise, the widening of TUFN deal spread wasn’t unusual as during the recent market sell-off the spread of most other M&A deals has widened as well. For example, SAIL/Thoma Bravo acquisition spread has also spiked from 3% to 9-10% pretty much at the same exact time (June 9-10). For software mergers, in particular, the impact might’ve been additionally increased by the recent announcement (June 6) that Thoma Bravo has cut the offer price for another one of its acquisitions – Anaplan (also a software company). However, the adjustment was only 3.4%. The remaining spread for the Anaplan deal is currently zero. Compared to these large-cap mergers, TUFN has a significantly shorter remaining timeline (basically two weeks) and no condition approval risk. Offer price cut is also unlikely given that shareholder approval has already been received. TUFN is not exactly a popular/well-known stock among investors and it kind of looks like the situation might’ve been temporarily mispriced due to the market volatility.
- Turn/River Capital describes itself as a “software investment firm that’s made up of software operators and investors”. The fund specializes in acquiring and growing SaaS businesses. Turn/River Capital has also just recently raised $1.35bn for their 5th fund with the TUFN acquisition being the opening deal. Overall, this is a credible, highly knowledgeable buyer and seems unlikely to tarnish its reputation by canceling a ‘done’ transaction weeks before closing.
- TUFN provides network security policy management tools and also has a growing cloud product. TUFN’s clients are enterprises (19% of Global 2000) with complex network systems. More details on the business can be found in this VIC write-up. TUFN started to gradually shift toward a subscription-based model at the beginning of last year and has grown its ARR from 60% to 65% (the transition is expected to take 3 years). So it’s a relatively stable business that has been growing 20-30% annually pre-COVID. Pandemic has temporarily extinguished growth, however, last year the company still managed to increase revenues +10%, all while switching to the subscription-based model (lower revenues/higher margins). The recent Q1’22 showed revenues growing +22% YoY. The main caveat here is that the business still lacks scale and is unprofitable. However, TUFN’s cash position remains pretty sizeable relative to the cash burn. Overall, it’s pretty clear why Turn/River Capital is interested here, and it’s unlikely that the recent events have diminished the interest to the point of deal termination.
The major risk is the downside at -23% to pre-announcement levels and potentially more given the sell-off in the market.
Pretty solid set up here. Thanks for sharing.
One more caveat that wasn’t mentioned above is that since TUFN is incorporated in Israel, foreign investors will be subject to Israelian withholding taxes. To avoid these taxes, you will have to file a load of paperwork with the Israeli government. The consideration might get delayed as well.
This explains part of the spread for sure, however, not to the extent it is currently at (yesterday narrowed to 8%). Once the waiting period is over and closing date is announced, the spread should narrow to minimal levels. You can exit then and not wait till closure.
Honest question where did you see that you would owe Israeli taxes? Everything I’ve seen says otherwise. Wouldn’t the brokerages have all of the relevant info? I definitely don’t know a lot when it comes to foreign taxes.
It’s in the proxy statement, and it’s basically always the case with mergers in Israel. You will have to submit some paperwork, but usually it’s not too complicated. Just one form from the Israeli tax authorities and perhaps a certificate of residency issued by your own tax authority.
As expected, the spread narrowed to 3.5%. Still might be worth holding it a little longer as the merger is likely to close in 2-3 weeks. However, we are removing it from the active cases with a 6.5% gain in 2 weeks.
Hey guys. I know this idea is closed but Tufin is down to 12.23 this morning (8/1). I still hold the stock. I haven’t been able to find any updates on the deal. Does anyone have any information as to what is going on? Thank you!
No recent announcements from either company but the spread has widened and now stands at 5%. As of the last 6-K filing, the only remaining hurdle was regulatory approval in Romania – not clear what has been the reason for the delay.
https://www.bamsec.com/filing/117891322002457?cik=1757399