Germany: Merck presses Versum sherholders to back its $4.5B bid

According the Financial Times, Merck has ramped up its efforts to torpedo the US$4.5 billion takeover of US chemicals group Versum Materials by Entegris, as it bypassed management and offered to buy shares of the company directly from stockholders.

Merck announced on Tuesday, March 26, it would purchase all outstanding shares of Versum for US$48 a piece in cash, valuing the company at US$5.9 billion, including its debt.

The German group met Versum shareholders earlier this month and “received generally positive feedback” on its bid for the company, which topped the offer Versum agreed with Entegris, according to a person with knowledge of the investor meeting.

Full Content: Financial Times

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