Australia's Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co Ltd dropped its bid for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co Holdings Ltd on Thursday, announcing it planned to sell its 17.7 percent stake to rival bidder Saputo Inc. Murray Goulburn's capitulation lifts Saputo's stake in Australia's oldest dairy firm to 75.4 percent, triggering a 20 cents rise in its offer price to A$9.40 per share or A$526 million ($465.96 million).If Saputo reaches 90 percent acceptances, the offer will rise again to A$9.60 per share, or A$537 million.Murray Goulburn's A$9.50 per share, or A$532 million, offer was conditional on both acceptances of 50 percent and regulatory approval that is not due until next month.
Saputo Inc. produces, markets and distributes an array of dairy products in Canada, the United States, Argentina and Europe, as well as bakery products in Canada. Shares of SAP traded higher by 0.29% or $0.15/share to $52.69. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $46.01 and as high as $54.62. On average, 295452 shares of SAP.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 517363.
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