Brookfield values American Equity at $4.3 billion in takeover bid

By Niket Nishant

(Reuters) -Annuities provider American Equity Investment Life Holding said on Tuesday it has received a takeover offer from its biggest shareholder, valuing the long-sought merger candidate at nearly $4.3 billion.

The offer from the reinsurance arm of Canadian investment firm Brookfield comes months after AEL rejected a nearly $4 billion bid from Elliott Investment Management-backed insurance firm Prosperity Life, saying it "significantly undervalued" the company.

AEL had also fielded takeover interest from Athene Holding and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in 2020.

Brookfield Reinsurance has offered $55 for each share of AEL it does not already own.

The offer price marks a 35% premium to AEL's closing price on Friday, before media reports on a possible takeover proposal from Brookfield.

AEL said its board will review the offer and a deal is not guaranteed. If the deal with AEL is completed, it would boost Brookfield Reinsurance's assets under management to nearly $100 billion.

"Given the large number of players in the industry and AEL's modest market share, there should be no antitrust concerns," according to Truist Securities analyst Mark Hughes.

"AEL will continue to create value over time via its strategy, or ultimately accept an offer," said Raymond James analyst Wilma Burdis, who had estimated a $53-plus deal price before Brookfield's offer was disclosed.

Shares of AEL hit a record high in morning trade and were last up 18% at $53.11. The stock had dipped 1% this year, as of last close.

Brookfield's offer consists of $38.85 per share in cash and the rest in Brookfield Asset Management limited voting shares.

AEL provides annuities - an insurance contract customers typically buy for a steady income stream after retiring.

Brookfield has bet aggressively on its reinsurance business. In February, Brookfield Reinsurance signed a $1.1 billion deal to take Argo Group International private.

Ardea Partners and J.P. Morgan are advising AEL on the offer.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)