Icahn back at war with Lions Gate, launches new hostile takeover offer [updated]

[Update, 3 p.m.: Lions Gate responded to Icahn's new tender offer on Tuesday afternoon by converting $100 million of its debt to equity at a price of $6.20 per share.

The move creates 16.2 million new shares of Lions Gate stock and dilutes Icahn's stake in the company to a little more than 33% from 38%. The activist investor now needs to acquire more shares in order to take over Lions Gate.

However, the action also dilutes other Lions Gate shareholders, including those who have been supportive of management.

Icahn could not be reached for comment on this latest development.]

Peace didn't last long. Activist investor Carl Icahn has launched a new hostile takeover offer for film and television studio Lions Gate Entertainment at $6.50 per share, ending a 10-day détente in which the two sides ceased hostilities to discuss merger and acquisition opportunities for the company.

Icahn is already Santa Monica-based Lions Gate's largest stockholder, with 38% of the company, due to shares accumulated in a previous $7-per-share tender, which expired June 30.

His new offer positions him to potentially seize control of the company, which has seen its stock price drop to close to $6 since Icahn's bid expired. In morning trading, the stock rose to $6.46 on news of Icahn's latest bid.

Investors also have seemed wary of news that Lions Gate is in talks about a potential merger with troubled film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Icahn was kept informed of such discussions during the 10-day truce and apparently decided he did not want to support such a move by the company's management.

Lions Gate would not be able to merge with MGM or make any other major strategic transactions without the support of its largest shareholder.

In a statement that accompanied the new tender, Icahn's investment firm said, "While certain discussions regarding acquisition opportunities might continue in the future, the Icahn Group determined that there were no immediate opportunities that would merit extension of the 10-day standstill period."

Icahn, a longtime critic of Lions Gate Chief Executive Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns for corporate spending that he claims is too high, also has renewed his call to wage a proxy war and take over the studio's board of directors. "The Icahn Group intends to seek to replace all or the lion's share of Lions Gate's board of directors with the Icahn Group's nominees," the statement said.

Icahn said his bid was contingent on Lions Gate not entering into any material transactions, such as a deal with MGM, and an end to the company's recently adopted "poison pill," which would block him from accumulating more shares. The investor successfully persuaded regulators in Canada, where Lions Gate is legally domiciled, to strike down a previous poison pill adopted by the company.

In a statement, the Lions Gate's board said that, consistent with its fiduciary duty, it would review Icahn's new offer and soon make a recommendation to shareholders. Given that it previously rejected Icahn's $7-per-share offer as fnancially inadequate, it's likely the board will do the same with his new tender, which expires Aug. 25.

[Update, 5:49 p.m.: For more, see the story on the latest in the Lions Gate - Icahn feud in tomorrow's Times.]

-- Ben Fritz and Claudia Eller

Related:

Lions Gate stock pummeled by expiration of Icahn bid, merger talks with MGM

Lions Gate makes merger presentation to MGM creditors

Lions Gate and Icahn sign 10-day truce to work on deals

As Icahn gains ownership, Lions Gate serves up another poison pill

Carl Icahn now owns 34% of Lions Gate [updated: ups stake to 38%]

Lions Gate talking to MGM about possible merger of lions

Carl Icahn and Lions Gate now poised for proxy war

Mark Cuban passes Lions Gate stock to Carl Icahn 

Lions Gate stars in its own corporate drama

Comments

[Big Dude]

Icahn is a predator...He sees an organization he can bullwhip into submission, takes over than guts the company and sel of the remaining pieces..Old WS trick & trade.
Problem is as major stockholder he can bully his way thru any roadblocks. It all is sooo predictable.

[anonymous]

Icahn is anathema. He demonstrates unadulterated greed and avarice and seemingly never has to pay the price for his deeds. Many may recall his absolute cannibalization of well respected and revered Trans World Airlines. He sold off its parts for his personal coffers and left merely a shell. This cost thousands and thousands of people their jobs/livelihoods. It became an accepted practice by these "creative business giants" known then as corporate raiders. Of course, jusst like Geithner and Summers, he's another Harvard business/business whiz kid. Give me someone with a less prestigious diploma and more concern for his fellow man anytime.

[adobepro]

Remember Icahn's reign of terror from TWA? This POS is truly a Financial terrorist and should be on the FBI's most wanted list.