Xerox Corporation and Affiliated Computer Services (BPO world leader) unveil planned new business combination

Everybody is calling it a merger, but do mergers really exist? And from what date does the combination happen?

Key aspect 1: Determining if IFRS 3 applies and identifying the acquirer.

IFRS 3 applies only to combinations as a result of which an entity (identified as “the acquirer”) obtains “control” of “the acquiree”. Is that the case?

Yes: Xerox is set to acquire 100% of ACS, with ACS expected to “continue to operate as an independent organisation” (branded “ACS, a Xerox Company”) and with Lynn Blodgett (ACS CEO) reporting to Ursula Burns (Xerox CEO).

Key aspect 2: Determining the acquisition date

IFRS 3 requires the combination to be acquisition accounted for at the date when control is obtained. Is the “acquisition date” determinable based on released information?

Not quite: the agreement was signed by the two boards on 28.09.09, but the transaction is “expected to close” by the end of Q1-2010.

Key aspect 3: Recognising and measuring the consideration transferred

IFRS 3  requires consideration transferred to be fair valued at acquisition date, with any transaction costs being expensed and not included as part of the consideration. How does it work in the case?

Xerox is set to pay $18.6 in cash and issue 4.9 shares in exchange of 1 ACS share. Considering share prices on the eve of the deal being announced, such consideration would have amounted to $6.2 billion. However, due to the subsequent fall in Xerox’ share price , the fair value of the agreed consideration went down to $5.5 billion. By the “acquisition date”, the fair value of this consideration may again vary. As to the costs of issuing the new shares raising the $3 billion expected to be needed to finance the deal, IFRS 3 would want them expensed in acquirer’s books and NOT considered as part of the consideration paid (and, therefore, potentially capitalised as goodwill).