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 Castlelakeโs ยฃ4.74 billion takeover approach as an attempt to buy it โon 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 โurges 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: โPrologis believes that the combination is a highly compelling opportunity for Segro shareholders.
โSegro shareholders would receive shares in the worldโs 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.
