Synergia Energy Share Discussion Threads

[sharewatcher] 18/8/2004 10:39

Fujitsu have a £200 million contract with Synstar, surely it would be better for them to put in an offer to buy than to let HP service their contract.

[maut too] 16/8/2004 09:04

offer documents arrived this am - closing date 03/09

[maut too] 12/8/2004 14:39

bought most of mine low as well but still like to get as much as I can


MRS Stock talk : Some Synstar holders cashed in
12-Aug-2004 14:37
A quiet day for Synstar - flat at 101p
- after some activity late yesterday
pushed shares slightly above H-P bid
price of 100p.
Trader says hedge funds bought on
counterbid hopes while some insti-
tutions have cashed in around bid price
rather than wait.
Lorne Daniel at Evolution Beeson
Gregory says counterbid is possible,
but takeover premium is already hefty
enough to deter many.
Says ICM could offer a way into busi-
ness continuity market for other hard-
ware players. (NPF)

1337 GMT Aug 12 2004

[timtom2] 12/8/2004 14:06

geoftheref - decided I had a use for the money - 99.5p was OK by me - bought mine low. Good Luck all.

[maut too] 12/8/2004 09:33

+0, (101) at 09:10pm
12.08.04 :an article in the Guardian reports: the shares closed at 101p with dealers unconvinced a counterbid will emerge. They noted that the bulk of yesterday's trading was caused by existing shareholders selling out to hedge funds, which are taking a punt on the possibility of another bid emerging. 'I cannot believe institutions would be selling out if they thought another offer was likely,' said one, noting that the price offered for Synstar is in line with other recent deals in the IT sector. He also pointed out that five fund managers, who collectively own nearly 35%, have pledged to back the offer.

[maut too] 12/8/2004 08:47

interestingly there are now 2 mm's on 100p bid and some big crosses going through at 101p

[maut too] 11/8/2004 16:08

certainly worth a wait with nothing to lose imho

[chrissey] 11/8/2004 16:05

I think there will be a counterbid.

I don't think that HP can commit supporting shareholders unless the deal goes through subject to formal shareholder and majority support?

Seems strange that these guys think they have bought the business at a level of support that would not meet any compulsory takeover??

Might get interesting over next few weeks eh.

[maut too] 11/8/2004 15:56

business weekly

11 August 2004
Latest News In Information Technology



Hewlett-Packard finds early support in £162.9m bid for Synstar
By Business Weekly, 11 August 2004, viewed 22 times, emailed 2 times


Hewlett-Packard (HP) has made a £162.9 million bid for leading IT services provider, Synstar.



Hewlett-Packard (HP) has made a £162.9 million bid for leading IT services provider, Synstar.

The Bracknell company's directors and a number of institutional investors - representing a total of 30.5 per cent of Synstar's issued share capital - have already committed to the cash offer.

The offer of 100 pence in cash for each Synstar share, which was made by HP subsidiary Hewlett-Packard Global Investments BV (HP BV), represents a premium of 28 per cent to the closing middle market price of 78.25 pence per share on the last business day prior to the announcement.

Steve Vaughan, Synstar chief executive, said: "The board is pleased to recommend this offer because it recognises a premium to the value in our strategy. In addition, the cash offer gives our shareholders immediate certainty of that value."

Francesco Serafini, senior vice President of the Technology Solutions Group EMEA, of HP, said: "The addition of Synstar's support and business continuity services to HP's portfolio will enhance our local and regional services capabilities and allow us to provide a greater range of critical service capabilities to our customers."

[maut too] 11/8/2004 15:38

interesting ... above the bid price now

[maut too] 11/8/2004 12:15

I go along with that - little to lose imho and a real chance of a gain





CAS Hewlett-packard Gi : Receives 34.5% Synstar shares
11-Aug-2004 12:05
HP BV announced today that is has now
received a further non-binding letter
in support of the Offer from five
institutional shareholders in respect
of, in aggregate, 56,197,757 issued
Synstar Shares representing
approximately 34.5%. of Synstar's
existing issued share capital.
As previously announced, all of the
Directors of Synstar who hold Synstar
Shares have irrevocably undertaken to
accept the Offer in respect of the
Synstar Shares in which they are
beneficially interested.
These undertakings, which continue to
be binding even in the event of a
competing offer being made for Synstar,
have been given in respect of, in
aggregate, 509,394 Synstar Shares,
representing approximately 0.3%. of the
existing issued share capital of
Synstar.
Therefore, in aggregate, HP BV has
received irrevocable undertakings to
accept the Offer or non-binding letters
in support of the Offer in respect of a
total of 56,707,151 Synstar Shares,
representing approximately 34.8%. of
the existing issued share capital of
Synstar.

ICV Edited News from Dow Jones
1105 GMT Aug 11 2004

[chrissey] 11/8/2004 10:30

It is at least informative to understand that despite the fact that we are also shareholders, it is a 'done deal' as far as Syn & HP are concerned and no doubt linked to what the Syn. mgmt terms under the deal are!

For this reason alone I would love to see a bigger counterbid and believe that this is possible given the value to other Co's.

Of course the institutions will relish the gain at £1, effectively the value that the Co may or may not have 1-2 years hence but certainly not short term.

It isn't a buying opportunity but it is certainly one to hold and also the reason why no price movement despite large selling, I assume, but would happily bow to those who probaly know a lot more than I.

[maut too] 10/8/2004 13:23

i will hold for now ... always possible wee might see more action


HP looks to swallow UK IT firm


Graeme Wearden
ZDNet UK
August 09, 2004, 12:30 BST



HP has launched a bid to acquire Synstar, the British managed IT services company, for £162.9m.

Synstar's board has already recommended that shareholders accept the offer, which was announced on Monday. HP is offering to pay 100p for each Synstar share, which represents a premium of around 28 percent compared to the 78.25p that Synstar closed at last Friday evening.


Synstar provides infrastructure and hardware support for firms with around 2,000 to 5,000 employees.


The proposed takeover is part of HP's strategy to win a greater share of the IT services market. Announcing the offer on Monday morning, HP said that the acquisition would improve its ability to offer end-to-end service capabilities and "further its credibility" with medium and large companies.


"HP believes that combining the two businesses will result in an organisation better able to increase sales of IT services to its combined customer base and to access a greater share of the European multi-vendor market," said HP in a statement.


John Leighfield, chairman of Synstar, told ZDNet UK that HP was stronger at analysing companies and finding specific ways of improving their performance, but that Synstar had a very good track record of keeping its customers' IT systems running. Combining these skills would mean a better service for end users, explained Leighfield, who also described HP and Synstar as "a great fit".


It's possible that HP could face competition for Synstar from a rival bidder. At present, HP has received a guarantee from Synstar's directors that they will sell their stake, representing 0.3 percent of the overall firm, even if a second bid is received.


HP says it has also received "non-binding letters of support for the offer" from a number of institutional investors who own a further 30.2 percent of Synstar.

[geofftheref] 10/8/2004 12:24

If you sell now you won't get £1 per share, you will get slightly less AND have to pay commission.

If you don't need the money yet hang on, wait til you get the offer document the take £1 per share.

[timtom2] 10/8/2004 10:10

Have sold this AM - taken the chance and sitting on cash waiting for another opp. Good Luck all.

[maut too] 10/8/2004 07:40

indy


HP pays £163m for British computer group Synstar
By Damian Reece, City Editor
10 August 2004


Hewlett-Packard, the US computer giant, yesterday paid £163m for Synstar, the British technology services company, raising hopes of further consolidation in the sector still struggling with the post-boom fall out.

Steve Vaughan, the chief executive of Synstar, said: "It's tomorrow's price today and it's in cash." The company's shares surged 27 per cent on news of the deal, which confirms HP's determination to build its presence in the European IT services sector, having completed a similar deal recently in Germany.

HP is offering 100p a share cash. Synstar shares closed up 21.25p at 99.5p.

HP is trying to match the likes of IBM, which began building its presence in the market several years ago. Globally, HP lies fifth in the market for IT services behind IBM, EDS, Fujitsu and Computer Services Corporation.

Synstar provides support services to companies, keeping computer systems running as well as offering disaster recovery expertise in the event of major failures. Mr Vaughan has options in more than 1.4 million shares in the company with a strike price of 48.5p, valuing his holding at £720,000. "It keeps the wolf from the door," Mr Vaughan said.

Francesco Serafini, a senior vice-president at HP, said: "The addition of Synstar's support and business continuity services to HP's portfolio will enhance our local and regional services capabilities and allow us to provide a greater range of critical service capabilities to our customers."

Synstar has received support for the recommended deal from 30 per cent of its institutional shareholders already, with analysts believing it unlikely that a rival bid will materialise given the financial firepower of HP.

Mr Vaughan said: "Since 2001, Synstar has delivered a programme of immense change and investment that has developed the company into a highly capable provider of infrastructure managed IT services.

"The board is pleased to recommend this offer because it recognises a premium to the value in our strategy. In addition, the cash offer gives our shareholders immediate certainty of that value."

[maut too] 10/8/2004 07:39

The Herald


Hewlett Packard acquires Synstar in £163m deal

MARK WILLIAMSON August 10 2004





Hewlett Packard, the US computer giant, is set to buy Berkshire-headquartered Synstar, which employs around 250 staff in Scotland, in a £163m takeover to boost its services offering.
The agreed deal will see HP acquire a blue-chip list of clients such as the Ministry of Defence and Lloyds TSB for services including disaster recovery. It hopes the move will help it gain ground on rivals such as IBM in the sector.
HP, which employs 2000 people including around 1000 subcontractors at Erskine, has been working hard to grow its share of the support market in the UK and Europe.
This has seen it targeting areas favoured by Synstar such as business continuity in an attempt to create a virtuous circle in which sales of HP's services stimulate demand for its computers and software.
However, Steve Vaughan, the Synstar chief executive who will receive £1.4m for his holding in the company under the proposed deal, said he did not expect the takeover to lead to job losses in Scotland.
"We've been trying to do the same sort of things, and the rationale for the deal is that you put the two firms together and you get a bigger market share. It's not about cost reduction," he told The Herald.
Vaughan noted the majority of Synstar's employees in Scotland worked on site at clients, the biggest of which is National Australia Bank, owner of the Clydesdale Bank. Synstar staff engaged in maintaining and developing IT systems could help sell HP products and services.
Conversely HP clients could benefit from access to Synstar's skills in other producers' technologies.
Around 100 employees work at Synstar's disaster recovery facility in Livingston providing back-up services for a wide range of clients.
Paul Mears, customer services director of HP UK and Ireland, said he was not expecting job losses as a result of the integration of Synstar.
HP, headed by Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive, said the potential acquisition was an attractive opportunity to add expertise and capabilities to its services division in the UK and other key European markets. Besides the UK, Synstar has operations in seven states, including Germany and France.
The California-based corporation, which will report third-quarter results next Wednesday has assured Synstar directors that existing employment rights, including pensions of the company's staff, would be fully safeguarded.
It has received irrevocable acceptances from shareholders controlling 30.5% of the issued share capital of Synstar for its 100p-a-share cash offer. This is pitched at a 28% premium to the price at which Synstar's shares closed last Friday.
Synstar made a consolidated pre-tax profit on ordinary activities of £8.7m on sales of £223m in the year to September 30.
Adam Lawson, analyst at Teather and Greenwood, said the deal offered "a decent price for Synstar and a good fit for HP's service portfolio".
Hewlett Packard, the US computer giant, is set to buy Berkshire-headquartered Synstar, which employs around 250 staff in Scotland, in a £163m takeover to boost its services offering.
The agreed deal will see HP acquire a blue-chip list of clients such as the Ministry of Defence and Lloyds TSB for services including disaster recovery. It hopes the move will help it gain ground on rivals such as IBM in the sector.
HP, which employs 2000 people including around 1000 subcontractors at Erskine, has been working hard to grow its share of the support market in the UK and Europe.
This has seen it targeting areas favoured by Synstar such as business continuity in an attempt to create a virtuous circle in which sales of HP's services stimulate demand for its computers and software.
However, Steve Vaughan, the Synstar chief executive who will receive £1.4m for his holding in the company under the proposed deal, said he did not expect the takeover to lead to job losses in Scotland.
"We've been trying to do the same sort of things, and the rationale for the deal is that you put the two firms together and you get a bigger market share. It's not about cost reduction," he told The Herald.
Vaughan noted the majority of Synstar's employees in Scotland worked on site at clients, the biggest of which is National Australia Bank, owner of the Clydesdale Bank. Synstar staff engaged in maintaining and developing IT systems could help sell HP products and services.
Conversely HP clients could benefit from access to Synstar's skills in other producers' technologies.
Around 100 employees work at Synstar's disaster recovery facility in Livingston providing back-up services for a wide range of clients.
Paul Mears, customer services director of HP UK and Ireland, said he was not expecting job losses as a result of the integration of Synstar.
HP, headed by Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive, said the potential acquisition was an attractive opportunity to add expertise and capabilities to its services division in the UK and other key European markets. Besides the UK, Synstar has operations in seven states, including Germany and France.
The California-based corporation, which will report third-quarter results next Wednesday has assured Synstar directors that existing employment rights, including pensions of the company's staff, would be fully safeguarded.
It has received irrevocable acceptances from shareholders controlling 30.5% of the issued share capital of Synstar for its 100p-a-share cash offer. This is pitched at a 28% premium to the price at which Synstar's shares closed last Friday.
Synstar made a consolidated pre-tax profit on ordinary activities of £8.7m on sales of £223m in the year to September 30.
Adam Lawson, analyst at Teather and Greenwood, said the deal offered "a decent price for Synstar and a good fit for HP's service portfolio".
Hewlett Packard, the US computer giant, is set to buy Berkshire-headquartered Synstar, which employs around 250 staff in Scotland, in a £163m takeover to boost its services offering.
The agreed deal will see HP acquire a blue-chip list of clients such as the Ministry of Defence and Lloyds TSB for services including disaster recovery. It hopes the move will help it gain ground on rivals such as IBM in the sector.
HP, which employs 2000 people including around 1000 subcontractors at Erskine, has been working hard to grow its share of the support market in the UK and Europe.
This has seen it targeting areas favoured by Synstar such as business continuity in an attempt to create a virtuous circle in which sales of HP's services stimulate demand for its computers and software.
However, Steve Vaughan, the Synstar chief executive who will receive £1.4m for his holding in the company under the proposed deal, said he did not expect the takeover to lead to job losses in Scotland.
"We've been trying to do the same sort of things, and the rationale for the deal is that you put the two firms together and you get a bigger market share. It's not about cost reduction," he told The Herald.
Vaughan noted the majority of Synstar's employees in Scotland worked on site at clients, the biggest of which is National Australia Bank, owner of the Clydesdale Bank. Synstar staff engaged in maintaining and developing IT systems could help sell HP products and services.
Conversely HP clients could benefit from access to Synstar's skills in other producers' technologies.
Around 100 employees work at Synstar's disaster recovery facility in Livingston providing back-

[maut too] 10/8/2004 07:36

Synstar boss's takeover windfall
9 August 2004, Evening Standard

TEVE Vaughan, the 43-year-old chief executive of IT services firm Synstar, stands to make £700,000 profit on his share options after the board recommended shareholders accept a £162.9m cash bid from America's Hewlett-Packard.




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The 100p-a-share offer is a 28% premium on Synstar's share price at Friday's close and is backed by institutions* with 30.2% of the shares, led by Fidelity, Aberforth and Scottish Widows.



Synstar directors have pledged their combined 0.3% stake in favour of the HP bid and agreed to pay a break fee of £1.27m should a competing offer emerge which causes HP's to lapse.


Vaughan said the takeover was 'not about cutting costs but merging two organisations to get more customers'.


Synstar employs 3,000 people - 2,000 of them in Britain and the rest in Germany, Benelux, Spain and Ireland.

[timtom2] 09/8/2004 21:32

Any chance of another bidder appearing? Probably not but can dream. Would have liked to see closer to £1.15. Dream of an auction.

[willsie] 09/8/2004 15:15

chaddz - what are you talking about??? The deal is done at 100p. That is the news. Its not going higher.

[maut too] 09/8/2004 15:04

Synstar rockets after cash bid

Mon 09 Aug 2004


SYN - Synstar

Latest Prices
Name Price %
Synstar 99.50p +27.16%

FTSE All-Share 2,138 -0.71%
FTSE Fledgling 2,741 0.00%
FTSE Small Cap 2,438 -0.38%
techMARK 978 -0.88%
techMARK 100 993 -1.13%
Software & Computer Services 366 -1.00%

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Computer giant Hewlett-Packard has snapped up IT services provider Synstar with a recommended cash offer of £163m for the Bracknell-based group.

The offer, which is being made by Hewlett-Packard's HP BV unit, will give Synstar's long-suffering shareholders 100p cash for each share, a premium of 28% to Friday's closing price and a level not seen since the first half of 2000.

Synstar's chief executive Steve Vaughan said, "The board is pleased to recommend this offer because it recognises a premium to the value in our strategy."

HP said it believed the acquisition of Synstar would give it additional expertise and capabilities within the HP Services Division in the UK and Synstar's European markets. Analysts agreed that the deal represented good value for both sides.

[chaddz] 09/8/2004 13:32

so anyone like to predict a target? I recon 150p as soon as the news gets out.

what you think?

[maut too] 09/8/2004 09:20

2.6 mill traded in the market already