Shares in Tyco International (NYSE:TYC) surged yesterday as the Ireland-based security firm confirmed it would merge with US car battery and heating ventilation firm Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI).
Tyco saw their shares climb over 10%, to $33.65 per share on the news, while Johnson-Controls saw their shares climb 5%, to $37.40. The deal will see Johnson Controls spend $16.5 billion to acquire Tyco.
The two will combine to form Johnson Controls Plc, which will be domiciled in low-tax Ireland. Ireland recently slashed corporate tax rates to 6.5% for companies which engage in R&D on the island.
Alex Molinaroli, currently chief executive of Johnson Controls, will spearhead the new company and has confirmed that it create $500million is savings in the first three years, not including the approximate $150million in annual tax savings.
With analysts calling the new firm a ‘one stop shop’, combined with the tax savings and cost reductions outlined, the deal is being universally praised as a good move.
Johnson Controls employs 130,000 people and has 1,300 worldwide locations spanning from the US to Indonesia. Tyco is based in Delaware and employs 69,000 people.