Consumer healthcare mega merger: Kimberly-Clark to acquire Tylenol maker Kenvue in $48.7 billion cash and stock deal; $1.9 billion cost savings targeted post-merger

Kimberly-Clark is set to acquire Tylenol maker Kenvue in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $48.7 billion, creating one of the world’s largest consumer health goods companies, AP reported.Under the terms of the agreement, Kenvue shareholders will receive $3.50 per share in cash and 0.14625 Kimberly-Clark shares for each Kenvue share held at closing. Based on Kimberly-Clark’s closing share price on Friday, the deal values Kenvue stock at $21.01 per share.Following the merger, Kimberly-Clark shareholders will own around 54% of the combined entity, while Kenvue shareholders will hold about 46%. The companies said the merger is expected to generate annual net revenues of approximately $32 billion in 2025. They also identified an estimated $1.9 billion in cost savings to be realised within the first three years after the deal closes.“With a shared commitment to developing science and technology to provide extraordinary care, we will serve billions of consumers across every stage of life,” said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu in a statement.Hsu will lead the merged company as chairman and CEO, while three members of Kenvue’s board will join Kimberly-Clark’s board upon closing. The combined company will retain Kimberly-Clark’s headquarters in Irving, Texas, and maintain a significant presence at Kenvue’s existing locations.The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of next year, pending approval from shareholders of both companies.In early trading, Kimberly-Clark shares dropped more than 15% before the market open, while Kenvue’s stock surged over 20%.