FOX CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RESOLUTION OF MURDOCH FAMILY TRUST MATTER
Rhea-AI Summary
Fox Corporation (NASDAQ: FOXA) announced the resolution of legal proceedings related to the Murdoch Family Trust (MFT), resulting in a significant restructuring of trust ownership. The settlement establishes new trusts for Lachlan Murdoch, Grace Murdoch, and Chloe Murdoch (Remaining Beneficiary Trusts), while Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch (Departing Beneficiaries) will exit their positions.
The Departing Beneficiaries will receive cash consideration, funded partly through the sale of 16.9 million FOX Class B shares and 14.2 million News Corporation Class B shares. LGC Holdco, owned by the Remaining Beneficiary Trusts, will control approximately 36.2% of FOX's Class B stock and 33.1% of News Corporation's Class B stock. Notably, Lachlan Murdoch will maintain sole voting control through 2050, while Rupert Murdoch continues as Chairman Emeritus.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Sale of 16.9 million FOX Class B shares could impact stock price
- Significant restructuring of ownership may create short-term market uncertainty
News Market Reaction – FOXA
On the day this news was published, FOXA declined 6.15%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -2.0% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $1.82B from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $27.84B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
New trusts will be established for the benefit of Lachlan Murdoch, Grace Murdoch and Chloe Murdoch (the "Remaining Beneficiary Trusts"), and Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch and James Murdoch (the "Departing Beneficiaries") will cease to be beneficiaries in any trust holding shares in FOX or News Corporation. New trusts for the benefit of the Departing Beneficiaries will receive cash consideration funded in part using proceeds from the public sale of approximately 16.9 million shares of FOX Class B common stock and approximately 14.2 million shares of News Corporation Class B common stock previously held by the MFT.
Following these transactions, LGC Holdco, LLC ("LGC Holdco"), a company which was established, and is owned, by the Remaining Beneficiary Trusts, will own all of the remaining shares of FOX and News Corporation previously held by the MFT, which is expected to consist of approximately
We have further been informed that a term of 2050 will be established for the Remaining Beneficiary Trusts and that, following the above transactions and throughout the term, voting control with respect to the FOX and News Corporation shares owned by LGC Holdco will rest solely with Lachlan Murdoch through his appointed managing director. Rupert Murdoch will continue in his role as Chairman Emeritus of the Company.
FOX's board of directors welcomes these developments and believes that the leadership, vision and management by the Company's CEO and Executive Chair, Lachlan Murdoch, will continue to be important to guiding the Company's strategy and success.
ABOUT FOX CORPORATION
Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, Tubi Media Group, FOX Entertainment and FOX Television Stations. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit www.FoxCorporation.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release due to the impact of the resolution on the Company or its stock price, if any, as well as changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the operation of the Company's businesses. More detailed information about these factors is contained in the documents the Company has filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made in this press release or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, except as required by law.
ADVISORS
We have been informed that the Remaining Beneficiary Trusts were represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and the Departing Beneficiaries were represented by Centerview Partners and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.
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SOURCE Fox Corporation
FAQ
What changes were announced to the Murdoch Family Trust for Fox Corporation (FOXA)?
How much Fox Corporation (FOXA) stock will LGC Holdco control after the restructuring?
Who will have voting control of Fox Corporation (FOXA) shares after the trust restructuring?
How many Fox Corporation (FOXA) shares will be sold as part of this restructuring?
What happens to Rupert Murdoch's role at Fox Corporation (FOXA) after this change?
