Bloomberg informed about CME’s non-executive Chariman Ronald Lauder’s plans to use recently established partnership with Apax to borrow as much as USD 200m for purchasing additional CME’s Class A shares at “attractive valuations”. Partnership plans to incur debt up to 50% of the value of its CME shares, currently worth some USD 410.2m, via margin loans with maturity of at least three years without interest payment requirement prior to maturity. Any funds not being spent till 31 December 2006 will be distributed to Lauder and Apax.
Our view:
Recently established partnership implied USD 60/share, which we think is floor price for CME’s shares. As the partnership could increase its stake from 15.7% up to 23% at current prices, up by some 3m shares until year end, we see the news as positive, indicating insiders believe in future growth of the company. Please note that CME holds investors day on 21 September in New York where new increased guidance could be released. We reiterate our Buy recommendation with USD 79 fair value.