Reuters reports ArcelorMittal has pulled out of its joint $5 billion bid with US giant Peabody Energy for Australian coking coal miner Macarthur, just days after the target’s top shareholder accepted the offer and left the Indian steelmaker with a higher than expected cost.
Some observers were skeptical when Peabody and Arcelor raised their bid at at time coking coal prices have been falling and according to a new report could pull back to $240/tonne towards the end of next year. Now that it is flying solo Peabody may have to raise cash to fund the transaction. The deal also comes amid the planned introduction of an onerous carbon tax next year and rising labour costs in Australia thanks to the strong Aussie dollar.
Reuters reports Peabody said completing the acquisition single-handed would help it reap the benefits sooner, but the group’s shares dropped over 7% in early trade, as surprised analysts and investors fretted over the strain on its finances and the potential need for a dilutive cash call. By midday in New York the counter had recoverd to trade down just over 1% at $40.48.
