Starboard says proposed $4.72B sale of Smithfield Foods undervalues company

RICHMOND, Va. — One of Smithfield Foods Inc.'s largest shareholders says a $4.72 billion takeover bid from China's largest meat producer falls short of what the company would be worth if sold off piece by piece.

In a letter to the Smithfield, Va.-based pork producer's board of directors on Monday, the New York-based investment firm Starboard Value LP estimated the company's value at $9 billion to $10.8 billion, or about $44 to $55 per share. Starboard owns about 5.7 percent of Smithfield's common stock.

Under the deal struck last month with Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd., Smithfield will sell itself for $34 per share. The deal, which remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, would be the largest takeover of a U.S. company by a Chinese firm, valued at about $7.1 billion, including debt. Smithfield's stock will no longer be publicly traded once the deal closes, which is expected in the second half of the year.

Smithfield did not immediately comment on Starboard's letter and a spokesman for Shuanghui declined to comment.

Smithfield 's shares rose 29 cents to $33.09 in morning trading Monday.

Starboard said that while the deal with Shuanghui does offer some value, shareholders would be better served if the company focused on selling off its various divisions, which include fresh pork and hog production businesses, as well as an international division.

Smithfield, whose brands include Armour, Farmland and its namesake, also has been focusing on its packaged meats business, which sells deli meats, bacon, sausage, and hot dogs.

Because Smithfield is contractually prohibited from superior offers or contacting others who may be interested in acquiring parts of the company, the investment firm said it will seek to "identify and connect any strategic or financial buyers."

Prior to last month's announcement, Continental Grain Co., one of the company's largest shareholders, had been pushing Smithfield to consider splitting itself up to reward shareholders. The privately held grain company has since come out in support of the proposed takeover and has sold the bulk of its stake in Smithfield.

Last week, Smithfield said its net income sank nearly 63 percent in the fourth quarter as feed costs rose even as consumers resisted price hikes, hog prices fell and its exports to China and Russia declined.