Segro rebuffs ยฃ12.6bn approach from US rival in latest takeover tilt for UK firm


Warehouse property developer Segro has rejected a ยฃ12.6 billion takeover approach from US rival Prologis as the avalanche of overseas bids for British firms shows no sign of slowing.

San Francisco-based Prologis revealed it had put forward a proposal to buy FTSE 100 firm Segro worth 925p a share on June 16, which it said was rejected on June 23.

Under the deal, Segro shareholders would own around 10.5% of the combined group, according to Prologis.

Prologis said it was going public with the approach in an attempt to get the backing of Segro investors.

It comes amid a flurry of takeover tilts for UK firms, with easyJet on Monday rebuffing US investment fund Castlelakeโ€™s ยฃ4.74 billion takeover approach as an attempt to buy it โ€œon the cheapโ€.

Last week, UK-listed laboratory testing company Intertek agreed a ยฃ9.5 billion takeover by Swedish investor EQT, dealing yet another a blow to the London market.

Prologis said it โ€œurges Segro shareholders to encourage the Segro board to engage with Prologis to allow a binding offer to be put to Segro shareholders for their considerationโ€.

It added: โ€œPrologis believes that the combination is a highly compelling opportunity for Segro shareholders.

โ€œSegro shareholders would receive shares in the worldโ€™s largest logistics real estate investment trust with a 140.9 billion US dollar market capitalisation, unlocking, on closing, significant upside to the current share price.โ€

The suitor has until 5pm on July 22 to make a firm bid for Segro or walk away under City takeover rules.

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