Zimmer Secures Cheaper Financing for Biomet Deal

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. just lowered the cost of the acquisition of Biomet, Inc. and fortified its pocketbook to complete the deal.

The company announced on March 11, 2015 that it has agreed to sell $7.65 billion of senior notes through a consortium of Wall Street banks. The “price” of seven tranches of the notes averages about 3.2%. Bank of America analyst Bob Hopkins says that’s lower than expected and will save the company borrowing costs. Hopkins said the company had previously suggested the cost of the acquisition debt would be in the 3.5% to 3.75% range.

The stated purpose of the proceeds is to finance a portion of the Biomet acquisition. The offering of the notes is, however, not conditioned upon the consummation of the Biomet deal. If the Biomet deal falls through, the company says it expects to use the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to redeem the notes.

The offering is expected to close on March 19, 2015.

Biomet Deal Slippage

As always, the Zimmer statement said the acquisition of Biomet is expected to take place at the end of the first quarter of 2015. But this time there was more. The statement added, “or shortly thereafter, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.” This is the first time the company has publicly stated that the completion of the deal may be further out than previously expected.

Hopkins said a term loan and equity will fund the balance of the total deal of $13.35 billion.