GM exit strategy: Automaker buying 200 million of its shares back from the Treasury

[ALS]

The US Treasury could lose upwards of $24.3 billion although $12.7 Billion is a more conservative estimate.

AL S. - CleanMPG - Dec. 19, 2012

The Obama administration said Wednesday it will sell 40 percent of its remaining stake in GM back to the automaker — and said it plans to completely exit the Detroit automaker by March 2014.

GM this morning said it will purchase 200 million shares of GM common stock held by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for $5.5 billion, or $27.50 per share. The share buyback is part of the Treasury’s plan, also announced today, to fully exit its entire holdings of GM stock within 12 to 15 months, subject to market conditions.

Treasury has announced its intention to sell its remaining shares of common stock into the market through various means and in an orderly fashion. Treasury intends to begin its disposition of its remaining shares as soon as January 2013, consistent with a pre-arranged written trading plan. In addition, Treasury has agreed to relinquish certain governance rights that were included in the U.S. Treasury Secured Credit Agreement with GM.

Dan Ammann, Senior VP and CFO added:

“A fortress balance sheet has been a pillar of GM’s financial strategy and has enabled us to undertake today’s actions. GM’s balance sheet will remain very strong, with estimated liquidity of approximately $38 billion at the end of 2012, following the closing of the share buyback.”

The repurchase price of $27.50 per share represents a 7.9 percent premium over the closing price on December 18, 2012. The share buyback is expected to close by the end of the year. This transaction will be accretive to earnings per share, as GM’s total shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis will be reduced by approximately 11 percent. In association with this share buyback, GM expects to take a charge of approximately $400 million in the fourth quarter, which will be treated as a special item.

After the repurchase, Treasury will continue to own approximately 300 million shares of GM common stock, or approximately 19 percent of the outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis. Government ownership of GM stock was the result of the auto industry rescue that began under President George W. Bush in 2008 and which was expanded by President Barack Obama in 2009.

The industry in general, and GM in particular, have rebounded sharply since the rescue. Since the rescue, GM has announced investments of more than $7.3 billion in the U.S. and created or retained more than 20,000 jobs.

Let us hope the next decade proves to be far better than the last.

[ALS]

After thinking about this for a little while why can't the Treasury put a $250 surcharge on every GM vehicle sold worldwide until it was paid off. Hey they have no problem doing if as Gas Guzzler tax or the failed Luxury Goods Tax. We can call it the UAW pension bail out charge. It would generate about two billion a year based on present worldwide sales of eight million vehicles.

A $250 up charge is 1% of an average vehicle price of $25K

[xcel]

Hi Al:

If the Prius had a Monroney sticker that added "Foreign import tax of $250" when the car next to it did not, many would skip it. GM would be in far worse shape if every car and truck they sold were pasted with that label.

If I hear GM purchases a line of Corporate Jets to supplant their current no corporate jet policy, people are going to wonder.

Wayne

[herm]

Originally Posted by ALS

After thinking about this for a little while why can't the Treasury put a $250 surcharge on every GM vehicle sold worldwide until it was paid off.

Until what was paid off?.. the bailout?

You would be better off creating a Windfall Profit tax on UAW workers.. they are really the ones that benefited.. put one on management also if that makes you feel better. We really dont want to encourage unions to prosper again, unless you are a democrat.