Banking, finance, and taxes

Talbots Agrees to Lower Buyout Offer

In what is probably just a sign of how badly managed the company has been, The Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB) agreed today to a $2.75/share buyout by private equity group Sycamore Partners. Talbots turned down an offer of $3/share in January, and just last Friday Sycamore walked away from a sweetened offer of $3.05/share.

But even at $2.75/share, that’s a premium of more than 100% to Talbots’ closing price last night of $1.29. The total value of the deal, including Sycamore’s assumption of Talbots’ debt, is about $369 million.

Some people at Talbots must have had an epiphany since last week. Something along the lines of “We must have been delirious to let Sycamore get away.” So the private equity firm got a 10% discount and Talbots shareholders were treated to a last hurrah from the company’s awful management team.

Shares are up about 89% today, at $2.44, in a 52-week range of $1.29-$10.40.

Paul Ausick

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.