Reuters — German pharmaceutical and crops manufacturer Bayer said on Monday that its negotiations with Monsanto had advanced, and that it was now willing to offer more than US$65 billion to acquire the world’s largest seeds company. Bayer’s announcement came as the gap in price expectations between the two companies has narrowed significantly, although important […] Read more
Bayer sweetens Monsanto bid as talks enter final stretch
Monsanto says no to $64-billion question
Monsanto says Bayer's latest bid financially inadequate, but open to talks
(Reuters) — U.S. seed company Monsanto Co turned down a sweetened $64 billion acquisition offer from Bayer AG, but said it was open to further talks with the German healthcare and chemicals group as well as other parties. The widely expected rejection puts pressure on Bayer to sweeten its offer once again, at least enough […] Read more
Bayer to consider shedding animal health unit
Leverkusen, Germany | Reuters –– Bayer might look into selling its animal health division if it continues to struggle to find takeover targets for the business, the German drugmaker’s incoming chief executive said. “Animal Health is a business that we have been trying for many years to strengthen strategically, that is to say inorganically. That […] Read more
Bayer sizing up deals to strengthen seeds operation
Leverkusen, Germany | Reuters — Bayer’s Crop Science business is casting its eye over potential targets to enhance its seeds operation, the division’s head said on Thursday, as competitive threats increase with big mergers among its rivals. The Bayer CropScience operation comprises the world’s second-largest pesticides supplier but remains a much smaller player in seeds, […] Read more
China seeks food security with friendly bid for Syngenta
Basel | Reuters — China made its boldest overseas takeover move when state-owned ChemChina agreed a US$43 billion bid for Swiss seeds and pesticides group Syngenta on Wednesday, aiming to improve domestic food production. The largest ever foreign purchase by a Chinese firm, announced by both companies, will accelerate a shake-up in global agrochemicals and […] Read more
Syngenta ready to play role in sector shake-up
Frankfurt | Reuters — Syngenta and other major seeds and crop chemicals companies are intensively discussing tie-ups, the Financial Times quoted the Swiss firm’s chairman as saying Wednesday, adding to a chorus of voices predicting a sector shake-up. Conversations among the leading players in the industry are “extremely active,” the newspaper quoted Michel Demare as […] Read more
Syngenta says Monsanto’s $2 bln break-up fee comes with caveat
Frankfurt/Reuters – Syngenta has said a $2 billion break-up fee that unwanted U.S. suitor Monsanto has pledged to pay if its proposed $45 billion merger failed would only apply in limited cases, leaving its shareholders exposed to the bulk of regulatory risks. Swiss Syngenta, the world’s largest maker of farming pesticides, told Reuters that based […] Read more
K+S investors see PotashCorp deal within reach despite rebuff
Frankfurt | Reuters — Shareholders in takeover target K+S say a deal could be done because suitor PotashCorp’s main aim is to get control over its German rival’s ambitious Canadian project and scale it back. K+S’s Legacy mine, being built northeast of Moose Jaw near Bethune, Sask., would be the first built from scratch in […] Read more
K+S rejects PotashCorp takeover offer as too low
Frankfurt | Reuters –– German potash miner K+S rejected PotashCorp’s 7.9 billion-euro (C$11 billion) takeover bid Thursday, saying it was too low and the Canadian suitor could be planning to dismantle the company, putting jobs at risk. K+S, owner of the Morton Salt brand, said the proposal lacked firm commitments to protect the more than […] Read more
K+S shares surge after PotashCorp takeover approach
Frankfurt | Reuters –– Shares in German potash miner K+S leapt as much as 40 per cent on Friday after a takeover proposal from Canada’s PotashCorp, which sources close to the matter said was worth close to eight billion euros (C$11 billion). K+S, which would become the first German blue-chip firm in a decade to […] Read more
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