P&G to sell its Pringles business to the Kellogg Company

The Procter &Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) today announced an agreement to divest its Snacks business to The Kellogg Company in a $2.7 billion all-cash transaction. The companies expect to complete the deal in summer of 2012. Final timing will be dependent upon receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.

The prior agreement to sell the Pringles business to Diamond Foods has been mutually terminated by P&G and Diamond as provided under the terms of their agreements.

The sale of the Pringles business to The Kellogg Company creates significant value for P&G shareholders. P&G expects an after-tax gain on the transaction in the range of $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, or approximately $0.47 to $0.50 per share, approximately the same as was estimated at the time of the initiation of the original transaction with Diamond Foods in April, 2011. The Pringles business is an excellent strategic fit for Kellogg, and it will significantly advance their goal of building a global snacks business on par with its global cereal business.

P&G’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob McDonald, said: “This is an excellent development for P&G, Pringles and Kellogg, creating value for our shareholders and representing an outstanding opportunity for Pringles employees with a leading company in the Food sector. Kellogg shares similar values and principles to us and we are confident that the Pringles business will thrive under Kellogg’s leadership.”