Infrastructure Investments Fund enters into agreement to purchase El Paso Electric
El Paso Electric Company (EPE) and the Infrastructure Investments Fund, an investment vehicle advised by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (IIF), has announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which IIF will purchase EPE for US$68.25 in cash per share representing an enterprise value of approximately US$4.3 billion.
The per share purchase price represents a 17% premium to EPE’s closing price on May 31, 2019, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the agreement. The agreement has been unanimously approved by EPE’s Board of Directors and is expected to close in the first half of 2020, subject to the approval of EPE’s shareholders, the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Lazard is serving as financial advisor and Baker Botts L.L.P. is acting as legal advisor to EPE. BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal advisor to IIF. In addition, IIF has a committed bridge financing facility in place led by BofA Merrill Lynch to support the transaction.
