1. Introduction
Freeport-McMoRan also called Freeport or FCX in New York Stock Exchange, operates in exploration, mining and refining of ore containing copper, gold and silver. Freeport’s synergy in creating the world’s largest publicly traded natural resources was initiated through the merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. Investment banks, J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch play a key role as a financial assistance to advice Freeport in the merger and acquisition transactions. On November 19, 2006, media announced that Phelps Dodge (PD) is to be acquired by Freeport. This opportunity will eventually benefit Freeport in the future growth, given that PD is known as world’s leading producer of molybdenum-based chemicals and continuous-cast copper rod. In the case study of Freeport-McMoRan in financing an acquisition, several questions will be discussed including the events, which lead to the merger transaction following the analysis of operating and financial performance as well as the involvement of J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch prior to the acquisition announcement. 2. Question 1 a. During the year of 2006, a tumultuous series of events occurred before the acquisition of Phelps Dodge by Freeport-McMoRan on November 19, 2006, concerning M&A landscape in the US mining industry. The events emerge from the implementation of a poison pill, which hostile and non-hostile companies fight to win the M&A transaction of the target company.
Phelps agreed to acquire Inco Ltd in which had merge with Falconbridge Ltd. By this agreement, Phelps formed a three-way merger with Inco as well as Falconbridge with attempt to create the world’s largest nickel producer and largest publicly traded copper producer. However, the merger agreement was eventually failed as Falconbridge accepted hostile (Xstrata) high bid and canceled the three-way merger agreement. On