WH - Wyndham Confirms Receipt of Expansive FTC Second Request Under HSR Act for Choice's Unsolicited Hostile Offer to Acquire Wyndham | Benzinga
Extended Regulatory Review Certain
Offer Continues to Undervalue Wyndham and Exposes Wyndham Shareholders to Significant Asymmetrical Risk
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:WH) ("Wyndham" or the "Company"), the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,100 hotels spanning more than 95 countries, today confirmed receipt of a 40-page and 65-topic 'Second Request' from the Federal Trade Commission in connection with Choice Hotels International, Inc.'s (NYSE:CHH) ("Choice") unsolicited proposed acquisition of Wyndham:
"From the beginning, Wyndham has consistently stated that this transaction would be subject to an FTC Second Request, and therefore the FTC's decision to issue one is no surprise," said Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman of the Board. "Choice, on the other hand, continues to ignore the significant risk this poses to our shareholders, and mischaracterize how the FTC will define the relevant market. The protracted review process – with an unpredictable timeline and outcome – would substantially reduce the value of Choice's offer and disrupt Wyndham's business."
Holmes continued, "The Second Request, which is issued in only around 1% of deals reviewed by the FTC, marks the start of a complex, lengthy process as both parties provide the FTC with the terabytes of data and documents it has requested, with an uncertain outcome and no guarantee of closing. Despite the distraction, the Board and management team will continue to execute Wyndham's standalone strategy with a focus on providing shareholders with long-term, sustainable value."
Wyndham will comply fully with the FTC's Second Request as required by law. The effect of the Second Request is to extend the 30-day waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
Independent third parties share Wyndham's concerns. View additional support at https://www.staywyndham.com/additional-support/.
Advisors
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and PJT Partners are serving as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP are legal advisors to Wyndham.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,100 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 858,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging ...