Forestar Group Inc. (NYSE: FOR) on Monday announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of Starwood Capital Group (“Starwood”) under which Starwood will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company for $14.25 per share in cash. The total transaction equity value is approximately $605 million.
The transaction price of $14.25 per share represents an 8.2% premium to the 90-day volume weighted average price of common stock of the company.
“Over the past 18 months Forestar has significantly reduced costs and outstanding debt, exited non-core assets and focused on its core community development business. While executing these key initiatives, the Board and management have been evaluating longer term strategic alternatives,” said James A. Rubright, chairman. “After conducting a thorough review assisted by highly experienced financial and legal advisors, the Board believes that engaging in the transaction with Starwood is the best option to maximize stockholder value.”
The Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved the merger agreement and has recommended approval of the merger by Forestar’s stockholders. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017 and is contingent on the approval of Forestar’s stockholders, and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain other closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.
Austin-based Forestar is a residential and mixed-use real estate development company that owns directly or through ventures interests in 50 residential and mixed-use projects comprised of approximately 4,600 acres of real estate located in 10 states and 14 markets.
