Honeywell to Acquire Elster for ~$5.1B

Honeywell

today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Elster Division of Melrose Industries plc, a leading provider of thermal gas solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential heating systems and gas, water, and electricity meters, including smart meters and software and data analytics solutions, for approximately $5.1 billion.  Elster also manufactures flow computers and regulators for the gas industry.  Elster consensus sales for 2015 are estimated to be $1.8 billion.  The price translates to approximately 12.6 times Elster's estimated 2015 consensus earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and the acquisition is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2016. The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review and Melrose shareowner vote.  "The acquisition of Elster will generate strong future returns for Honeywell's