DealMaker Q&A

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TTR DealMaker Q&A with Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas Partner Mauricio Borrero

Mauricio Borrero – Dentos Cardenas & Cardenas: Co-head of M&A and Corporate groups, and is the head of the Latin American and Caribbean region Corporate practice group.

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The M&A activity in 2020 is severely affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. How would you describe the situation of the M&A players in Colombia and LatAm at this time?

After coming nearly to a halt as a result of the Coronavirus, the M&A market is starting to recuperate. In general terms, traditional M&A players such as strategic buyers and private equity funds, are currently focusing on protecting the value of their own companies and assets rather than entering into new transactions. Nonetheless, those strategic buyers and funds that have available cash, are now starting to actively look for potential targets to acquire. This stems from the fact that the crisis has created a buyer’s market for M&A, with bargain prices and multiple investment opportunities. This is particularly evident for strong LatAm companies investing in other countries of the region, as well as acquisitions of companies with a strong reputation and global presence. With an increase in the negative financial effects of the crisis in local companies, especially in the leisure, transport, hospitality, and real estate sectors, it is likely that we will have a surge in distressed M&A transactions during the second semester of 2020 and Q1 and Q2 of 2021.

Which sectors would you say are more affected by this situation? Which ones do you think are most likely to recover more quickly?

Although this crisis has affected the entire economy, the most affected sectors are leisure, transportation, hospitality, and real estate. The oil and gas sector has also been affected by both COVID-19 and a reduction of the international prices of crude oil. We consider that the sectors that are more likely to recover quickly will be pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and technology.

What regulatory measures do you think could be deployed to unblock the current situation?

The most critical point is to re-open the economy, with a controlled opening of air travel. The Colombian government needs to increase the available funds for the different financial stimulus packages (i.e. Colombia Responde, Colombia Responde para Todos, etc.), to provide liquidity to local companies. The payment ecosystem needs to be enhanced by enabling new players and different options for the circulation of money and payment mechanisms different than traditional means such as cash. This will also serve to give access to credit and some level of formalization to more individuals and businesses. Defining what economic sectors are key in the “new dynamic” and promote them with subsidized funding and/or tax incentives.

What is the situation of the M&A market in Colombia compared to other nearby countries? Is this stagnation being lived in the same way in other countries in LatAm?

The current situation of the Colombian M&A Market is fairly similar to our peers in LatAm. We have been monitoring the situation with our M&A partners of the region and we have seen that they have all experienced a slowdown in the number and size of M&A deals. We have also evidenced that through the LatAm region there is an increased interest from strategic buyers and private equity sponsors to acquire companies and/or assets at a bargain price. Currently, Dentons Latin America and the Caribbean is participating in several intra-region transactions and international M&A deals involving more than three countries of the region.

What should we expect in the following months? Do you believe it is still possible to get back to normal in 2020?

We consider that the M&A market in Colombia will continue to grow during the following months, but it will not reach the number and size of deals of the previous years. These transactions will be more difficult and the entire process may take longer. All participants of the M&A market will face difficult times ahead when determining the fair market value of the asset/company being acquired, and securing financing at reasonable rates. Moreover, the social distancing rules will affect the negotiation process, as “all hands on deck” negotiations will be difficult to achieve. The time for performing a due diligence process will also be affected, as the collection of documents will become more difficult for the target company, given the limitations for their personnel to be physically present at their offices. We also consider that governmental approvals when required will take longer to be issued. An increase in distressed M&A deals is evident, and will probably be one of the drivers of the M&A market during the following 18 to 24 months. I believe we will only get back to normal during 2023.

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Versión en español

La actividad transaccional en 2020 está sin duda muy marcada por la crisis sanitaria del COVID-19, ¿cómo describiría la situación de los players del mercado transaccional en Colombia y de la región en estos momentos?

Después de casi detenerse como resultado del Coronavirus, el mercado de fusiones y adquisiciones está comenzando a recuperarse. En términos generales, los actores tradicionales de fusiones y adquisiciones, tales como compradores estratégicos y fondos de capital privado, se están centrando actualmente en proteger el valor de sus propias compañías y activos, en lugar de llevar a cabo nuevas transacciones. Sin embargo, los compradores estratégicos y fondos que tienen efectivo disponible, ahora están comenzando a buscar activamente posibles objetivos para adquirir. Esto se debe al hecho que la crisis ha creado un mercado de compradores para fusiones y adquisiciones, con precios reducidos y múltiples oportunidades de inversión. Esto es particularmente evidente para las compañías latinoamericanas que invierten en otros países de la región, así como para las adquisiciones de compañías con una sólida reputación y presencia global. Con un aumento en los efectos negativos financieros de la crisis en las empresas locales, especialmente en los sectores de entretenimiento, transporte, hotelería e inmobiliario, es probable que tengamos un aumento en las transacciones de “distressed M&A” durante el segundo semestre de 2020 y los dos primeros trimestres de 2021.

¿Qué sectores diría usted que se han visto más afectados por esta situación? ¿Cuáles experimentarán una recuperación más rápida?

Aunque esta crisis ha afectado a toda la economía, los sectores más afectados son el de entretenimiento, transporte, hotelero e inmobiliario. El sector del petróleo y el gas también se ha visto afectado tanto por COVID-19 como por la reducción de los precios internacionales del petróleo crudo.

¿Qué medidas cree que podrían tomarse a nivel regulatorio para desatascar esta paralización?

El punto más crítico es reabrir la economía, con una apertura controlada de los viajes aéreos. El gobierno colombiano necesita aumentar los fondos disponibles para los diferentes paquetes de estímulo financiero (es decir, Colombia Responde, Colombia Responde para Todos, etc.), para proporcionar liquidez a las empresas locales. El ecosistema de pagos debe mejorarse permitiendo nuevos jugadores y diferentes opciones para la circulación de dinero y mecanismos de pago diferentes a los medios tradicionales como el efectivo. Esto también servirá para dar acceso al crédito y cierto nivel de formalización a más individuos y empresas. Definir qué sectores económicos son clave en la “nueva dinámica” y promoverlos con financiamiento subsidiado y/o incentivos tributarios.

¿En qué situación se encuentra Colombia respecto a la actividad transaccional de otros países de su entorno? ¿Esta paralización que vivimos se traslada de igual manera a otros países de América Latina?

La situación actual del mercado colombiano de fusiones y adquisiciones es bastante similar a la de nuestros pares en LatAm. Hemos estado monitoreando la situación con nuestros socios de M&A de la región y hemos visto que todos han experimentado una desaceleración en el número y tamaño de las transacciones de M&A. También hemos evidenciado que en la región de LatAm hay un mayor interés de compradores estratégicos y sponsors de capital privado para adquirir empresas y/o activos a un precio reducido. Actualmente, Dentons Latinoamérica y el Caribe está participando en varias transacciones intrarregionales y acuerdos internacionales de fusiones y adquisiciones que involucran a más de tres países de la región.

¿Qué cabe esperar que suceda en los próximos meses? ¿cree usted que se podrá recuperar la normalidad en 2020?

Consideramos que el mercado de fusiones y adquisiciones en Colombia continuará creciendo durante los próximos meses, pero no alcanzará la cantidad y el tamaño de las transacciones de los años anteriores. Estas transacciones serán más difíciles y puede que todo el proceso dure más tiempo. Todos los participantes en el mercado de fusiones y adquisiciones enfrentarán tiempos difíciles al determinar el valor justo de mercado del activo/empresa que se adquiere y asegurar el financiamiento a tasas razonables. Además, las reglas de distanciamiento social afectarán el proceso de negociación, ya que las negociaciones de “todas las partes sentadas en la misma mesa” serán difíciles de lograr. El tiempo para realizar un proceso de debida diligencia también se verá afectado, ya que la recopilación de documentos será más difícil para el target, dadas las limitaciones para que su personal esté físicamente presente en sus oficinas. También consideramos que las aprobaciones gubernamentales demorarán más en emitirse cuando sean necesarias. Se evidencia un aumento en las transacciones de “distressed M&A”, y probablemente este será uno de los motores del mercado de M&A durante los próximos 18 a 24 meses. Creo que sólo volveremos a la normalidad durante 2023.

4Q19 Energy Sector Spotlight – Latin America

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LatAm Energy M&A Up Overall in 2019 Real Estate sector leads Spanish transactional market, although 17.07% falls until December 

  • Deal volume down in Argentina and Mexico YoY
  • Oil and gas transactions dominate regionally, despite 65% decline in Mexico
  • Solar transactions outpace oil and gas deals in Chile, notwithstanding overall decrease in renewable deals
  • Power sector transactions increase throughout the region, except in Brazil

Madrid, 31 January, 2020. Deal volume in the energy sector across Latin America is down 5% to the close of 4Q19, while aggregate transaction value increased 153% over the same 12 months last year according to Transactional Track Record data.

Volume and aggregate value of energy sector in LatAm. December 2018 to December 2019. Source: Transactional Track Record

Brazil leads by the sheer number of energy deals across the region with 129 transactions, followed by Chile, which registered the sharpest upswing in aggregate value with a 190% increase to USD 2.9bn.

Colombia ranks third by number of energy deals with 27 for the year, followed by Argentina with 25 and Peru with 15.

Mexico is in last place among the top six M&A markets in the region, registering a 65% decline in energy sector transactions with just 13 deals to the close of 4Q19.

Oil and gas transactions lead energy sector deal volume in the top six M&A markets, with the exception of Chile and Peru, where the number of transactions in the power sector outpaced extractives.  In the case of Colombia, the oil and gas and power sectors were at par with seven deals apiece for the year.

Conventional energy deals outpaced renewables in every market except Chile, where there were more solar transactions than oil and gas deals, despite a 33% drop in the number of solar energy transactions over 2018.  Investment in wind assets fell across the board, except in Colombia, where wind deals increased markedly over 2018.

Buyers based in the EU led inbound dealmaking in the energy sector for the year, with 53 transactions, followed by North American bidders, with 33 deals, ahead of buyers out of Asia, with 15 deals. The US led inbound energy investments in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, the UK led inbound energy deals in Argentina, Colombia led energy investments in Peru and France dominated in Chile.

Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados tops the regional ranking with 14 transactions, while Machado, Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados leads by aggregate value on deals totaling just under USD 9bn.

Banco BTG Pactual led energy sector dealmaking regionally in 2019 with 11 transactions worth a combined USD 1.24bn. Banco Santander leads by aggregate value, its three deals worth USD 8.83bn in aggregate.

More information:

Oliver Hill
TTR – Transactional Track Record
http://www.ttrecord.com/es/sobre-nosotros/
oliver.hill@TTRecord.com 

TTR is a premium financial technology platform that delivers unrivalled transactional data and actionable market intelligence in real time, empowering professionals to seize opportunities and make more informed strategic decisions. TTR aggregates transactional data from thousands of sources, providing an indispensable resource of announced, completed and cancelled transactions covering every industry.

DealMaker Q&A

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TTR DealMaker Q&A with PPU Peru Partner Rafael Boisset

Rafael Boisset, Partner in Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría Perú, is an expert in corporate matters as well as mergers and acquisitions of private and listed companies in various industries of economy, representing both sellers and buyers. He has advised significant clients by his active participation in the strategic planning of acquisitions and corporate restructuring, project finance, and banking and corporate financing through capital markets. He has experience representing investment banks as well as companies that raise funds from international capital markets.

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TTR – Firstly, Mr. Boisset, we would like you to share your opinion on the progress of the Peruvian market in 2019. 

R. B. – Both the number and value of deals reported proved to be a quiet active year in terms of M&A transactions, which turns to be interesting considering the slowdown of the Peruvian economy and the political crisis we faced during the year and particularly in the last quarter. Once again the energy sector has been the most relevant in terms of size and complexity but we also saw relevant deals in the manufacturing industry, such as the Intradevco Industrial sell to Alicorp.

TTR – As an advisor in M&A deals, what could you tell us about the investors that show interest in Peru-based companies? What are the main attractions of those companies? 

R. B. – I would say macroeconomic stability, low inflation, stable exchange rates, independency of the Central Bank, simplicity of its tax regime, and a deep potential growth of the middle class, which is an opportunity in several industries.

Despite the slowdown of the economy, Peru has proved to be a country, in which its macroeconomic fundamentals showed to be isolated from the political instability 

TTR – In 2019, there was an interesting increase in agribusiness deals in the country. What can you tell us about that upsurge? 

R. B. – Unlike other countries in the region, Peru’s large coast has some strategic keys for the agribusiness, such as predictable weather, access to ports for exportation, water supply and reasonable land prices and workforce costs. We have seen a consolidation of land and production of local investors in the last 10 to 15 years, that are now being acquired by bigger players that need such scale to invest. 

TTR – What other sectors could potentially have a noteworthy increase in their activity in the mid-term? Why? 

R. B. – It will of course depend on how the economy will move in the mid-term, but we expect that sectors related to the increase of the middle class be more active, such as education, retail, healthcare, and real estate. 

Two other sectors that may be relevant are mining and infrastructure. In mining, the slowdown of commodity prices creates the need for some companies to divest and the opportunity to others to invest. In infrastructure, we expect the criminal trials to end in the midterm allowing new investors to acquire assets that the current conditions do not offer the transparency and security that are needed. 

TTR – Lastly, what is your forecast for the next year?

R. B. – We believe it will be a very active year, probably even more active than 2019. Key sectors will be education, healthcare and manufacturing.

DealMaker Q&A

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Eduardo Peláez

TTR DealMaker Q&A with UNE Asesores Financieros Partner Eduardo Peláez

Eduardo Peláez

Eduardo Peláez is Partner of UNE Asesores Financieros, an M&A advisory boutique focused in Latin America Small/Mid-Market. Eduardo Peláez has conducted many transactions in diverse sectors including tourism, chemicals, real estate and agriculture. Previously Eduardo was associate of Miranda & Amado Abogados and Hernández & Cía. Abogados. Also, worked in Lindley. 

He is Lawyer from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and holds a MSc Management from Alliance Manchester Business School.

TTR: What’s your general outlook for the M&A market in Latin American this year, and specifically, in Peru?

EP: We believe the Latin American M&A market is experiencing a quite dynamic phase. Notwithstanding, the particular circumstances of each country in terms of macroeconomic conditions and political environment lead to diverse possibilities and projections. 

In the region there are markets like Venezuela, a country with enormous potential but absolutely isolated, but also the case of Chile, a nation with very stable economy and government, but with less opportunities for high returns. Also, there are some up-and-coming countries like Paraguay that has established favorable market conditions through a pro-investment regulatory and tax set of rules. 

The case of Peru is very particular. Despite of the political turbulence and the scandals of corruption, the economy is stable and the National Central Bank maintains its growth´s projections around 4%. The last two years have been marked by iconic transactions led by strategic investors pursuing market consolidation, such as the acquisition of the pharmacy chain MiFarma by Intercorp and the recent acquisition of Intradevco by Alicorp.

TTR: What are the primary factors influencing M&A decisions in the current economic climate? How do these economic fluctuations affect investment priorities?

EP: In the last decade, Peru has grown consistently. Even though the pace slowed since 2014, the Peruvian market maintains healthy indexes and presents opportunities for high returns, making it one of the most attractive markets in Latin America. 

Likewise, the Private Equity industry is taking more prominence in Peru, generating more dynamism in M&A activity. Global funds like Advent and Carlyle are already active investors in the Peruvian market. Also, there are other relevant players specialized in the mid-market such as HIG, L Catterton, Southern Cross and Victoria Capital Partners, that are exploring opportunities in Peru. 

From the sell-side standpoint, the political instability could make some businesses owners’ deciding to sell. Also, the new M&A regulation that will go into effect next year could accelerate the velocity of transactions and increase the volume of deals in the following months.

TTR: What is the state of the capital market in Perú? How has the country evolved in this respect in recent years? What is your forecast for the near-term?

EP: Peruvian capital market is still in an embryonic stage, characterized by low activity and hardly influenced by a few institutional investors. The exclusion of Credicorp from the FTSE Emerging Markets index is symptomatic. 

There are some significant efforts of developing the MAV (capital market for mid-size companies with less than S/. 350MM of annual revenue), but the results are modest, with just 13 listed companies since its inception in 2013. 

In this context, the recent creation of FIRBIs and FIBRAs, vehicles that have similarities with the American REITs, could represent a great opportunity to attract retail investors and increase the activity and liquidity of the capital market.

TTR: How difficult is it for corporates to access financing from local financial institutions in the current environment? What are the main barriers? How is financing structured?

EP: We have experienced a significant evolution in the volume of Peruvian companies accessing to the banking system in the past few years, going from 25% in 2014 to 40% in 2018, according to ASBANC. 

The big challenge is the inclusion of the majority of small and medium enterprises that currently have very few options. The fintech market represents a very interesting alternative for this type of businesses, particularly in the way of factoring platforms. 

Also, the increasing presence of foreign debt funds, especially Chilean, are becoming key participants, even in the small-and-mid size market. For example, recently we helped our client Llaxta Inmobiliaria y Constructora to obtain a US$ 10.5MM loan from Volcom Capital Chile for a real estate project in Piura, part of the social program “Techo Propio”.

TTR: Finally, we would like you to share with us your opinions and forecasts about the opening of the Peruvian market with other countries

EP: The Peru market presents many opportunities for all types of international investors, from strategic regional players to family offices and private equity and debt funds. 

Beyond the usual M&A activity in the mining sector, we see interesting opportunities of consolidation in the agricultural business. For example, there is the case of Hortifrut that became the leading berry producer in the world after the acquisition of El Rocío. Likewise, last year we had the opportunity to advise the British trader Wealmoor and Limones Piuranos in the acquisition of the mango and avocado´s exporter Sunshine. Also, recently we led the sale of the mango´s exporter Dominus to the Peruvian-Danish joint venture Danper. 

On the other hand, the real estate market still presents superiors return rates compared with other countries in Latin America, attracting global and regional real estate funds. 

Finally, considering the current development of modern retail, we believe Peru represents an interesting possibility for regional companies dedicated to services related with cold chain and specialized storage.

DealMaker Q&A

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Alberto Rebaza

TTR DealMaker Q&A with Rebaza, Alcazar & De Las Casas Partner Alberto Rebaza

Alberto Rebaza
Alberto Rebaza

Alberto Rebaza is founding partner and managing partner of Rebaza, Alcazar & De Las Casas law firm. Partner leads to mergers and acquisitions and corporate areas. In addition to his masters, he has studies at Georgetown University and England. He has also been director in several companies and organizations such as Edegel (Energy), Rigel Peru (Insurance), Liderman (Services), Amrop (Services), IPAE, Pesquera Alexandra (Fishing), YPO, among others.

TTR: Mr. Rebaza, firstly we would like to get your expert opinion, in a brief analysis, on the progress of the Peruvian M&A market in the first four months of the year.

AR: The Peruvian legal market has experienced an unusual volume of M&A closings in 1Q19 for all type and sizes of transactions. From the small/medium size deals with a strong strategic focus, to the multimillion dollar/cross-border deals that cover most of our newspapers. Our team has participated in 7 closings in 2019 so far (including strategic deals such as the sale of Papelsa to Grupo Gloria, the sale of Holding Plaza to Parque Arauco or the purchase of Duraplast and Novatec by Wenco). We are thrilled and have high expectations with our pipeline of transactions for 2Q19.


TTR: According to our data, Peru allocated a significant part of its investments to other Latin American countries, mainly Colombia and Chile. What attracts the interest of Peruvian investors? 


AR: There are several factors that may explain this phenomenon. First, Colombia and Chile are two countries with lots of social, historic, cultural and legal similarities with Peru. A regional expansion within those countries is normally catalogued as a soft landing for foreign investors.

Second, since the launching of the Pacific Alliance (Latin American trade bloc, formed by Peru, Chile, Colombia and Mexico) in 2011, Peruvian investors are taking a close look to the participant countries of the Pacific Alliance to diversify or expand their businesses. It is worth noting that, despite certain tax benefits (agreements to avoid double taxation or tax reductions, among others), the founding members of the Pacific Alliance executed an agreement to abolish all tariffs of merchandise trade by January 2020, making this integration a unique Latin American marketplace for producers.


TTR: Similarly, Colombia appears so far in 2019 as one of the main investors in the country. How do you think this reciprocal business relationship between the two countries will evolve? How does it benefit their economies?


AR: Colombian investors have been major players in the M&A industry in the recent years and I wouldn’t expect that to change in the near future. They are the third major foreign investors in Peru, after Spain and Chile.

Back in 2018, the Colombian Business Council in Peru announced fresh investments for over US$ 2B in Peru for the years 2018 and 2019. Their main focus is on projects related to the infrastructure, electricity, hospitality, transport and in the cosmetic industry.

In addition to the investment projections of Colombian players, I think the real deal will come once the corruption crisis in Peru is overcome. The Colombians experience in public-private partnerships and Public Works Tax Deduction projects will for sure contribute our economy in a positive way. Their input and investment will boost public projects (and therefore our economy) and increase our employment rate considerably.


TTR: Meanwhile, transactions in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Farming and Fishing have increased in Peru, compared with previous years when that subsector wasn’t as prominent. What could you tell us about that? Do you think the tendency will remain?


AR: The fishing industry in Peru is now consolidated, however, the government has been debating the last months certain legislative modifications that may heavily impact the industry, such as the increase of the fishing rights.

On the other hand, we have viewed a transactional boom related to shrimp-based business like the purchase of La Fragata by Marinazul (affiliated to Grupo Camposol).

Furthermore, the agricultural-related industries are facing an unusual increase in their sectors due to the international demand for agricultural products. We have notice the peculiar interest of foreign investments funds and, particularly, private investors from Chile in the purchase of estates in the north of Peru to develop agribusiness and farming companies. Peru is a privileged country for the agribusiness, making it one of the most suitable natural producers. The progressive increase of the worldwide demand, followed by a friendly legal framework that includes income tax reductions and special depreciation conditions are the perfect match for this boost.


TTR: Lastly, Peru has recently suffered and been involved in certain corruption scandals. How do you think those scandals affect the country’s economy today? What is your outlook on the matter?


AR: Thankfully, the political crisis experienced in Peru last year and the current corruption cases have not prevented the unstoppable growth of our economy and, specifically, of the M&A players’ appetite.

However, it is important to note that all major infrastructure projects have been stopped and their continuity is under analysis. This has deeply affected our economy and the governmental stability, lowering the Peruvian employment rate. I believe this corruption turmoil may only be disregarded by a strong political force that needs to convey economic trust and decision-making features. Furthermore, we are now facing an exchange in the players or the main public projects. The typical powerful Brazilian and local companies are been replaced by international actors of various backgrounds.

Should the current government be unable to revert this situation, I believe the presidential elections in 2021 will be the right moment to overcome this scenario.