Reynolds, Lorillard Shareholders to Vote Jan. 28 on $25 Billion Merger

By Tripp Mickle 

Tobacco companies Reynolds American Inc. and Lorillard Inc. said Friday they will put their proposed $25 billion merger up for shareholder votes Jan. 28.

Closing the deal remains contingent on the Federal Trade Commission, which continues its antitrust review. The companies expect a ruling in the first half of next year.

Shareholders are being asked to vote on a cash-and-stock deal combining U.S. industry No. 2 Reynolds and No. 3 Lorillard to create a stronger rival to industry leader Altria Group Inc., maker of Marlboro cigarettes. The transaction would add Lorillard's Newport, the No. 2 U.S. cigarette brand, and to Reynolds's portfolio of Camel and Pall Mall cigarettes.

To address potential antitrust concerns, Reynolds and Lorillard plan to sell the Kool, Maverick, Salem and Winston cigarette brands and Blu e-cigarette brand to Imperial Tobacco Group for $7.1 billion. The planned divestitures would turn Imperial into the No. 3 player in the U.S. market, in terms of revenue.

Reynolds and Lorillard shareholders in January will vote on the current merger agreement. If the current agreement changes as a result of the FTC evaluation, then the companies would need to draft a new agreement and have shareholders vote on the new terms.

Reynolds's vote will take place at its corporate offices in Winston-Salem, N.C. Lorillard's vote will take place in Charlotte, N.C.

The two companies announced the proposed tie-up in July.

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