Athene and Apollo to merge in $11B all-stock deal

  • Apollo Group (NYSE:APO) +6.5% and Athene (NYSE:ATH) +19.7% premarket, to merge in an all-stock transaction at total equity value of ~$11B for Athene.
  • Each outstanding Class A common share of Athene will be exchanged for a fixed ratio of 1.149 shares of Apollo Group common stock.
  • Upon closing of the merger, current Apollo Group shareholders will own ~76% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis, and Athene shareholders will own ~24%.
  • The combined company will be led by incoming Apollo Group CEO Marc Rowan Companies . Apollo Group ’s business will continue to be led by Co-Presidents Scott Kleinman and James Zelter. Athene will continue to be led by CEO Jim Belardi with his current management team and full workforce.
  • Transaction will be substantially accretive, strengthening earnings power of the combined company to more than double Apollo Group ’s reported earnings in 2020.
  • The transaction is expected to close in January of 2022.