T-Mobile, Sprint nearing merge: sources

T-Mobile and Sprint are finalizing terms as they seek to sign a merger by Monday that could value Sprint at around $26 billion, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The combined company, with more than 127 million customers, would have added clout to challenge industry leaders Verizon Communications and AT&T in the race to expand offerings in next- generation 5G wireless technology.

T-Mobile majority-owner Deutsche Telekom will own a little more than 40 percent of the combined company, but will have voting control so it can consolidate the company on its books, the sources said. The sources requested anonymity to discuss the confidential negotiations.

Sprint shares ended up 8.4 percent, at $6.50, on the news, close to where the deal values the company based on the implied stock exchange ratio tied to T-Mobile’s shares. But Sprint’s stock price dropped sharply after hours, as traders thought the company was paying too much.

T-Mobile shares rose to $64.52, giving the firm a market cap of $55 billion.

T-Mobile and Sprint are aiming to announce the deal on Sunday, though the timing could change, the sources said. Talks between Deutsche Telekom and Japan’s SoftBank Group, Sprint’s controlling shareholder, could still end unsuccessfully at the last minute, the sources added. Deutsche Telekom owns more than 63 percent of T-Mobile, while SoftBank owns 84.7 percent of Sprint.

Sprint, T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom and SoftBank did not respond to requests for comment.

The companies came close to a merger deal in November before SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son pulled out of the talks at the last minute over valuation disagreements.