Nov. 8, 2009 (PR Newswire) --
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has signed a definitive agreement to sell TASC, Inc., its advisory services business, for $1.65 billion in cash to an investor group led by General Atlantic LLC and affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory conditions including Hart-Scott-Rodino approval. The transaction is expected to close by year end.
Northrop Grumman's board of directors separately authorized a $1.1 billion increase in the company's share repurchase program. At the end of the third quarter of 2009, approximately $280 million remained on the company's prior $2.5 billion share repurchase authorization.
The company expects the sale to generate net cash proceeds, after taxes, of approximately $1.1 billion. Net proceeds will be used to repurchase shares of common stock, after which the transaction is expected to be neutral to Northrop Grumman's 2010 earnings per share from continuing operations. The company also expects the transaction to be neutral to 2009 net income and diluted earnings per share.
"This transaction is in the best interest of Northrop Grumman's customers, employees and shareholders," said Ronald D. Sugar, chairman and chief executive officer. "It reflects Northrop Grumman's desire to align quickly with the government's new organizational conflict of interest standards, while preserving TASC's unique organizational culture and its status as the advisory services employer of choice. TASC is a remarkable organization with a proud 43-year heritage of supporting critical national security missions. We are confident the investors understand the critical importance of its customers' missions and the depth and sophistication of its employees' expertise."
Chantilly, Va.-based TASC, Inc. is part of Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector and has approximately 5,000 employees. TASC, Inc. expects 2009 revenue of approximately $1.6 billion.
Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse represented Northrop Grumman in the transaction. Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP served as legal advisor to Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Northrop Grumman will hold a conference call at 11:30 a.m. EST on Nov. 9th to discuss this announcement. A live audio broadcast of the conference call will be available on the investor relations page of the company's Web site at http://www.northropgrumman.com.
