AOL and Time-Warner Merge
or: How AOL Became a Brick and Mortar Company

1. AOL and Time-Warner Merge
2. Analysis
3. In this Jungle, this Quiet Jungle, the Lion Sleeps Tonight: Wither Microsoft?
4. Net/Net
AOL and Time-Warner announced on Monday (January 10) that they have agreed to merge in an all-stock transaction. At the time of the agreement, the combined companies would have had a value of $350 billion. To be named AOL Time-Warner, the company will have in excess of $30 billion in annual revenue.

Under the terms of a definitive merger agreement, which was approved by unanimous vote at each company’s board of director’s meeting, Time-Warner and AOL stock will be converted to AOL Time-Warner stock at fixed exchange ratios. Time-Warner shareholders will receive 1.5 shares of AOL Time-Warner for each share of Time-Warner stock they own. AOL shareholders will receive 1 share of AOL Time-Warner stock for each share of America Online stock they own. When this tax-free transaction is completed, AOL’s shareholders will own approximately 55% and Time-Warner’s shareholders will own approximately 45% of the new company.

Part 2 - Analysis