It has been clear that Parker was a willing seller at the right price for a long time, otherwise they wouldn't have entained a PE firm shortly after I started the thread. Back then the price was closer to 200. Then you recently had the CVC rumours, when the stock was closer to 400 (if I recall correctly). So even though CVC might've offered a premium, I don't think you'd get close to 600.
I'm hoping this thing stays public, so in that regard I'm happy that Parker now has gotten a ton of cash at what looks like a fair price. But if they embark on an international expansion, which I'm really hoping they will, I'd really like him to stay onboard and not sell another chunk. It's not like they have a lot of M&A experience, and he seems to have been central in what they have done so far.
It's pure speculation, but he states in the press release that he intends to stay as a longtime shareholder. He almost got as much out of Clipper at close to 600 as he would've gotten less than two years ago, when they entertained a bid around 300.
As I mentioned, I'd really like them to pursue M&A opportunities in Europe and the US, and perhaps he'll be more willing to take risk after he's taken a large sum of money off the table. Pure speculation, but we'll see.
And 'grats on the fine return so far! I pay 42 pct. taxes, and this has the hallmarks of a longtime compounder, so I'm letting it ride, but it was definately an easier buy and hold at 200 than close to 600.
