Honeywell confirms that over the past year it has engaged in discussions with United Technologies regarding a possible business combination.
Honeywell confirmed that over the past year it has engaged in discussions with United Technologies regarding a possible business combination. The value creation from a combination is significant, including the benefits of US$3.5 billion in annualized cost synergies. They did not see the regulatory process as a material obstacle to a transaction. In fact, a combination would benefit their customers and enhance the company's ability to offer a more comprehensive and compelling suite of technologies to serve their needs.
The value creation from a combination is significant, including the benefits of US$3.5 billion in annualized cost synergies.
Honeywell believes the combined company's financial profile would be stronger than the highest valued peers in the multi-industry group today, creating an opportunity for incremental value for both sets of shareowners over the short- and long-term. A combined Honeywell and United Technologies would maintain a strong investment grade rating, and have higher free cash flow, and a rapid deleveraging profile.
They reaffirmed that they will not pursue a transaction that is not in the best interest of their shareowners, consistent with the company's successful and disciplined capital deployment framework. Regardless of whether a transaction occurs, Honeywell is highly confident in their long-term growth prospects, ability to create shareowner value, and strong investment grade balance sheet.
Honeywell reaffirmed that they will not pursue a transaction that is not in the best interest of their shareowners, consistent with the company's successful and disciplined capital deployment framework.
"Honeywell has built a company that is well positioned for continued global growth as a standalone company over the long-term," said Honeywell Chairman and CEO, Dave Cote. "We have built a track record of strong performance that has seen us regularly meet or exceed expectations. The Company has delivered double-digit earnings growth for six consecutive years and has shown that our differentiated technologies and the diversity of opportunity in our portfolio is working, and that our process initiatives, including HOS Gold, are driving new business efficiencies and profitability. This performance, combined with a balanced capital deployment framework that included $10 billion in 2015 on a combination of acquisitions, reinvestments in our business, and increased dividends, has helped Honeywell increase shareowner value nearly 500 percent since 2003, outpacing both the S&P 500 and our peer averages. We are committed to continuing this outperformance."