Hostile takeover bids are likely to multiply in 2011, as companies aggressively look for value despite notable failures and delays in completing recent unsolicited deals. There were more than $260 billion in hostile and unsolicited bids launched last year, more than double the total in 2009, according to Thomson Reuters data. And the trend is expected to strengthen in 2011, even with BHP Billiton Ltd's (BHP.AX) failed pursuit of Canadian fertilizer company Potash Corp (POT.TO) and Air Products and Chemicals Inc's (APD.N) nearly year-long pursuit of rival Airgas Inc (ARG.N) driving headlines.
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