Report: Bayer Shareholder Proposes Monsanto ‘Hostile Takeover’
July 20, 2016 One of Bayer AG’s top 20 shareholders said Wednesday it may make sense for the life-science company to launch an unsolicited bid for Monsanto Co. after the U.S. seeds specialist rejected an improved offer Tuesday, reports WallStreetJournal.com’s Eyk Henning.
“Such a move would be seen as hostile but could put pressure on Monsanto’s management to grant Bayer access to its books,” Markus Manns of Union Investment told The Wall Street Journal.
Union Investment is Bayer’s 14th largest investor with a 0.7% stake, according to Thomson Reuters data.
The fund manager added that a friendly negotiated deal would “certainly be the preferred option” because an agreed deal is smoother.
“In any case, Bayer has room to improve its offer to a maximum of $135 per share but no more,” Mr. Manns said, adding the acquisition would otherwise become too much of a financial risk.
Visit WSJ.com to check out the latest on Bayer-Monsanto.
Subscribe Today For
