Scotiabank maintains price target, rating on Millicom shares post-Atlas move

Published 26/08/2024, 15:38
Scotiabank maintains price target, rating on Millicom shares post-Atlas move

On Monday, Scotiabank maintained its Sector Perform rating and a $30.00 stock price target for Millicom International Cellular SA (NASDAQ:TIGO). The firm noted the recent developments where Atlas (NYSE:ATCO) increased its stake in Millicom to 40.4% from 29.2%. This shift in ownership indicates that a significant portion of shareholders, representing 84.2% of the float excluding Atlas, did not accept the $25.75 offer price during the tender offer period.

The situation with Atlas has led to a change in the dynamics of Millicom's stock. With Atlas not securing a majority of voting rights, Millicom announced the expiration of consent solicitations to amend the Senior Notes.

The market's perception of Atlas's increased participation could vary, with some investors potentially viewing it as an opportunity for demand, given that Atlas might now purchase additional shares without launching another tender offer.

On a less positive note, Millicom altered its stance on cash distributions following its announcement of a substantial $2.4 billion merger and acquisition deal in Colombia. This deal, which involves both debt and equity, is expected to consume approximately 18 months of Millicom's equity free cash flow to fund the cash portion, which amounts to $1.0 billion.

The acquisition's approval process has seen mixed reactions, with the municipality of Medellín approving the bid for EPM's 50% stake, while President Petro has provided negative feedback.

The future of Millicom's cash flow and potential distributions now hinge on the outcome of a tower deal, given the company's financial commitments towards the acquisition in Colombia. This development has introduced an element of uncertainty regarding the company's ability to maintain its previous cash distribution policies.

InvestingPro Insights

As investors consider the implications of Atlas's increased stake in Millicom International Cellular SA (NASDAQ:TIGO) and the company's strategic moves, it is essential to look at current financial metrics and analyst expectations.

According to InvestingPro, TIGO is trading near its 52-week high, with a price percentage of the 52-week high at 98.32%. This suggests a strong market confidence, which aligns with the fact that two analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, hinting at potential optimism in the company's financial performance.

Furthermore, Millicom's valuation implies a strong free cash flow yield, as per InvestingPro data. This is particularly relevant given the company's recent acquisition deal in Colombia and the impact it could have on cash distributions. The company's P/E ratio stands at 42.39, which, despite indicating a high earnings multiple, reflects the market's anticipation of net income growth this year.

The company's commitment to the Colombian deal may be seen as a strategic move to strengthen its market position and future profitability, which is supported by analysts predicting the company will be profitable this year.

For readers interested in a deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available on the platform, providing a comprehensive outlook on Millicom's financial health and market potential.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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