Capital One has agreed to acquire Discover Financial in a monumental $35 billion all-stock deal. This acquisition will bring together two of the nation’s largest credit-card companies to form a global payments powerhouse.
Strategic Move by Capital One
It is evident that Warren Buffett-backed Capital One is positioning itself to rival industry giants such as Visa and Mastercard. By joining forces with Discover, a smaller competitor in the credit-card industry, Capital One aims to strengthen its market position.
Shares in Visa dropped by 1.8% in premarket trading, while Mastercard stock saw a 2% decline following the announcement.
Capital One’s Expansion Plans
As the ninth largest bank in the United States, Capital One is a significant player in the credit-card market. While currently utilizing Visa and Mastercard for most of its cards, Capital One intends to transition some cards to the Discover network post-acquisition.
According to Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank, the merger presents a unique opportunity to merge two successful entities with complementary strengths. The goal is to develop a competitive payments network that can challenge the industry’s leading players.
Anticipated Timeline and Ownership Structure
The merger is anticipated to finalize either late this year or in early 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. The deal offers Discover shareholders a 26% premium over the closing price on Friday. After completion, Capital One shareholders will hold approximately 60% ownership in the combined entity, with Discover investors owning the rest.
Discover’s stock surged by 11% in premarket trading, settling at $122.86, though still below the implied premium. This disparity could suggest investor uncertainty regarding regulatory clearance. Meanwhile, Capital One’s shares experienced a 6% decline.
Berkshire Hathaway’s Involvement
Noteworthy is Berkshire Hathaway’s significant stake in Capital One, making it the seventh-largest shareholder with a 3.27% interest based on FactSet data.
This strategic acquisition marks a pivotal moment in the financial services industry, setting the stage for a new era of competition and growth.