South African gaming and hospitality leader Sun International recently announced it is actively engaged in discussions regarding a potential acquisition. While the details, including the identity and nature of the other party involved, remain undisclosed, the company confirmed that these negotiations are in progress.
Sun International has issued a cautionary statement to its shareholders, indicating that although there is no certainty that the acquisition will proceed, if it does, it could have a significant impact on the company’s securities. Shareholders have been advised to exercise caution when dealing with Sun International’s securities until further announcements are made.
Market Response to Acquisition Talks
Following the initial announcement of the acquisition talks, Sun International saw a dip in its share value. However, the shares have started to recover, trading at R4,103 (£174/€200/$219) per share, a 0.07% increase from the opening price on 27 November.
The news of the acquisition talks comes on the heels of Sun International releasing its first-half results at the end of September. The company reported a significant 11.6% increase in income for the six months leading up to 30 June, totalling R5.78bn. This growth was achieved amidst a challenging economic environment and increasing competition within the industry.
Highlights from the First Half Results
A notable aspect of Sun International’s H1 performance was the income from resorts and hotels. This saw a 26.9% increase to ZAR1.42bn. Additionally, urban casinos’ income rose by 4.2% to ZAR3.27bn, contributing 91.8% to the casino segment. The group’s adjusted EBITDA for the first half stood at ZAR1.57bn, a 5.6% rise from H1 2022. Furthermore, the overall profit for the period showed an impressive 41.0% increase from the previous year, amounting to ZAR485m.
