Citi Analyst Okays Ball Corp Acquisition, But Remains Skeptical Of Synergy Gains


27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


Citi resumes coverage of Ball Corporation

ENTER TO WIN $500 IN STOCK OR CRYPTO

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

(NYSE: BLL) with a Neutral rating and $77 target price following the $8.5 billion acquisition of Rexam Plc (ADRs previously traded under REXMY on the OTC) and $3.4 billion divestiture of assets.

"While we think the merger was strategically sound and will significantly upgrade Ball's global portfolio (especially in Europe, Middle East and Africa), we'd like a more attractive entry point and greater clarity on $300 million plus of deal synergies Ball expects to realize, before taking a position," analyst Anthony Pettinari wrote in a note.


FREE REPORT: How To Learn Options Trading Fast

In this special report, you will learn the four best strategies for trading options, how to stay safe as a complete beginner, ​a 411% trade case study, PLUS how to access two new potential winning options trades starting today.Claim Your Free Report Here.


The analyst has conservatively modeled $250 million in synergies by year-end 2018. However, he wonders how Ball will realize "procurement savings from a highly consolidated supplier base" without losing said savings to its consolidating customer base, especially given the "limited geographical overlap of the acquired assets."

The company is scheduled to participate in six investor conferences this fall, and will hold an Analyst Day in December, its first since 2013. These appearances will be closely watched as investors gauge confidence in Rexam synergies and the progress of the 90-day review.

"We'll also look for any changes in the commercial environment given significant industry changes over the past year, such as an potential ABI-SAB merger, new competitor entries into beverage cans, capacity adds from CanPack & MCC and potential for post-merger market share shift," Pettinari noted.

Shares of Ball were trading at $70.69, down 0.32 percent at time of writing.

Full ratings data available on Benzinga Pro.

Do you have ideas for articles/interviews you'd like to see more of on Benzinga? Please email feedback@benzinga.com with your best article ideas. One person will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

27% profit every 20 days?

This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


Posted In: Analyst ColorPrice TargetInitiationAnalyst RatingsAnthony PettinariCiti