The transaction follows a thorough review of strategic alternatives by the Meadowbrook board of directors and represents a 24% premium over the company's closing price on December 29 2014 and a premium of 39% to its three-month average closing price for the period ending the same date. 

 

The transaction also represents a multiple of approximately 1.04x Meadowbrook's tangible book value per share as of September 30 2014, according to a statement issued by both companies.

 

Fosun currently has over $50 billion in total assets and operations around the world. The acquisition of Meadowbrook will enable Fosun to establish a significant presence in the United States’ property and casualty (P&C) market. 

 

Currently, Fosun has more than one third of its total assets invested in insurance businesses around the world, including investments in Yong'an P&C Insurance, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance and Peak Reinsurance, as well as Fidelidade Group, Portugal's largest insurance company. Fosun's most recent investment in the insurance sector was an acquisition of a 20% equity interest in Ironshore Inc. in August 2014 .

 

Guo Guangchang, chairman of Fosun, said, "This transaction allows Fosun to establish a presence in the important US P&C market, consistent with our strategy of expanding our core insurance business. Meadowbrook has a talented employee base, comprehensive offering of high-quality specialty insurance products, robust distribution network and a strong commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its policyholders. The transaction represents another milestone for Fosun and will enable Fosun to further strengthen its insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capabilities."

 

Robert Cubbin , president and chief executive officer of Meadowbrook, said, "Combining with Fosun further strengthens our capital base as we continue to focus on supporting the needs of our customers, partners and policyholders, improving our underwriting performance and driving profitability."

 

"This transaction is the culmination of a thorough strategic review process to maximize shareholder value. We believe this is a positive outcome for our shareholders, who will receive significant value; our employees, who will benefit from enhanced opportunities as part of a larger, global organization; and our customers, partners and policyholders, who will benefit from an even stronger specialty risk, insurance and service provider," Cubin says.

 

The transaction has been unanimously approved by all of the directors of the Meadowbrook board of directors present at the meeting and has been unanimously approved by the Fosun board of directors. 

 

Following the closing of the transaction, which is expected in the second half of 2015, Meadowbrook will continue to maintain its headquarters in Southfield, Michigan and will operate under the Meadowbrook brand name. The transaction is subject to the approval of Meadowbrook's shareholders as well as regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other specified closing conditions.

 

KPMG, Towers Watson Delaware and PricewaterhouseCoopers are acting as advisors of finance, actuary and tax, respectively, to Fosun. DLA Piper LLP is acting as legal advisor to Fosun. Willis Capital Markets & Advisory is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal counsel to Meadowbrook in connection with the transaction.