UPDATE: Cabot to Divest Its Supermetals Business for $400 Million

Cabot Corp. CBT has entered into an agreement to sell its Supermetals business to Global Advanced Metals for a minimum of $400 million in total cash consideration, company officials announced today. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by the end of the calendar year. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with GAM at an attractive value,” said Patrick Prevost, Cabot president and chief executive officer. “While we have repositioned the Supermetals business to be a solid contributor to Cabot over the past two years, we believe that the specialty metals nature of this business does not fit the long-term direction for Cabot. GAM's integrated business model will enable them to better manage the historical cyclicality of this business. This transaction allows us to focus our resources on growth initiatives in our other businesses as we remain focused on achieving our target of adjusted earnings per share of $4.50 in 2014. In addition, cash proceeds generated from the sale will allow us to pursue potential acquisitions as part of our portfolio management strategy, which we believe will create higher value for our shareholders.” Over the past eight quarters, the Supermetals business recorded an average quarterly EBITDA of $13 million. The transaction includes an initial cash payment of $175 million when the transaction closes. Additional cash consideration, including contingent payments based on the future performance of the acquired business, will total a minimum of $225 million and be paid within a two-year period. Cabot will maintain its mining operation in Manitoba, Canada where the company mines cesium for its Specialty Fluids Business and tantalum.