Canadian Solar CEO withdraws bid after panel rejects going-private offer

Canadian Solar (CSIQ.O) said on Monday its Chief Executive Officer Shawn Qu has withdrawn an offer to take the solar module maker private after a special committee set up by the board recommended rejecting his bid.

The special committee has asked the board to cease review of any future going-private deal proposed by Qu unless its board receives “reasonable evidence” that the transaction is fully financed, the company said in a statement.

Qu, the company’s largest shareholder, made an offer to buy the company for $18.47 per share at a premium of 7.1 percent in December 2017.Qu and his wife Hanbing Zhang own about 23.5 percent of the company’s shares.

The committee advised against the proposal in the light of “significant changes” in the solar industry since the announcement of the offer and Qu’s ability to make a fully-financed bid, the company said.

Since Qu’s offer, Canadian Solar’s shares have dropped 18 percent, coming under pressure from a tariff war between Beijing and Washington, which has caused uncertainty in the global solar industry.

The special committee also asked the company to review other strategic alternatives.

Source: in.reuters