- Whirlpool Corporation WHR has completed a strategic review of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business and entered into a joint venture agreement with Arçelik A.Ş.
- Whirlpool will own 25% and Arcelik 75% in the joint venture.
- Separately, Whirlpool will divest its Middle East and Africa business to Arcelik. Whirlpool will retain ownership of its EMEA KitchenAidsmall domestic appliance business.
- The new entity is expected to have over €6 billion in combined sales and over €200 million in cost synergies.
- As previously announced, Whirlpool separately sold its Russia business to Arcelik in August 2022 for up to $260 million of deferred payments. The Russia business will not be part of the new combined company.
- Whirlpool expects full-year cash provided by operations and free cash flow to increase by approximately $100 million and $250 million, respectively.
- The transaction is expected to close in 2H of 2023.
- In connection with the transaction, Whirlpool recorded a non-cash loss on disposal of approximately $1.5 billion in Q4 of 2022.
- The transaction is expected to negatively impact FY22 GAAP by approximately $26-$28.
- For 2023, Whirlpool expects supply constraints to improve significantly during Q1, as they have already begun to ease.
- Price Action: WHR shares closed at $154.29 on Friday.
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