S&P cuts IBM debt rating following Red Hat acquisition

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S&P Global Ratings on Monday downgraded IBM's debt following the massive acquisition of cloud computing firm Red Hat for a staggering 34 billion US dollars in cash.

But Red Hat is likely to see its rating improve by two notches after the deal is completed, S&P said in a separate statement.

S&P said the transaction would increase IBM's debt level, prompting it to cut the firm's credit rating to A from A+ but also to lower the outlook to negative due to the rising indebtedness.

"The rating downgrade reflects prospective changes in IBM's debt leverage," S&P said in a statement. "IBM will issue substantial debt to fund the acquisition of Red Hat."

The computing giant could face another downgrade if it underperforms the expected low single-digit growth in revenues.

S&P said it has changed the outlook on Red Hat's debt rating to "positive," and expects to raise the grade to "A" once the deal closes in late 2019, the same as IBM.

IBM logo in the office. /VCG Photo

Despite the IBM downgrade, the rating agency said the merger, which is subject to the approval of Red Hat shareholders and some regulatory approval, would help IBM compete and generate a new revenue stream.

S&P said the acquisition would help "IBM by adding Red Hat's strong recurring revenue from its open source software subscriptions. We also expect that the acquisition will strengthen IBM's position in hybrid cloud solutions and enhance opportunities for cross-selling goods and services."

IBM announced the deal Sunday to buy Red Hat, making it among the biggest tech mergers in history.

'Game changer'

If approved it will be the third-biggest tech merger in history, according to business news site CNBC. Red Hat said it was the biggest involving a software company.

The deal will see IBM acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Red Hat for 190 US dollars a share in cash, more than 70 US dollars above the trading price at the close of business on Friday.

Ginni Rometty, IBM's chairman, president and CEO, called the merger a "game-changer."

"IBM will become the world's number one hybrid cloud provider, offering companies the only open cloud solution that will unlock the full value of the cloud for their businesses."

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services, including storage and software, over the Internet to achieve economies of scale.

Hybrid cloud relates to the linking of public and private cloud platforms.

Rometty added that most companies are currently being held back in their cloud transformation due to closed platforms.

Once known primarily for its computer hardware, IBM has made cloud computing a priority in its growth strategy, like Amazon and Microsoft.

Over the past few years, the company has been refocusing on markets such as analytics, mobile and security, grouped under the banner of "strategic imperatives" and designed to offset the decline of its traditional activities. These now represent about half of its turnover.

Shares in IBM were down 2.3 percent in midafternoon trading in New York.

Meanwhile, Red Hat soared 45 percent, although that was a retreat from the day's peak.

Source(s): AFP