M&A

18 November, 2009

UPDATE 2-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

** German scents and aroma specialist Symrise (SY1G.DE) agreed to take over Egyptian beverage-flavour maker Futura Labs for an undisclosed price, as part of an overall push to expand in emerging markets. [ID:nFAB015335]

** Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (9432.T), Japan's largest phone company, has entered the race to buy a majority stake in Patni Computer System (PTNI.BO), the latest in a string of potential suitors eyeing India's No. 6 software services firm, the Economic Times said. [ID:nBOM526236]

** Plans by British lender Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY.L) to sell parts of its operations in return for billions of pounds in state aid were approved by European Union competition authorities. [ID:nBRU010555]

** Indian state telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd [BSNL.UL] is unlikely to join a consortium looking to buy a 46 percent stake in Kuwaiti telecom Zain (ZAIN.KW), the Business Standard reported, citing unnamed sources. [ID:nBOM3085]

** French IT consultancy Valtech (VALT.PA) has sounded out other possible buyers to help it escape a hostile takeover by Belgian holding company Siegco and has some "interesting leads", its head said. [ID:nWEA1758]

** Agrium Inc (AGU.TO) (AGU.N) made a last-minute push for CF Industries Holdings Inc (CF.N) shareholders to support its planned buyout of the fertilizer producer. [ID:nN18490648] (Compiled by Tina Kwan in Singapore and Fareha Khan in Bangalore)

Source: http://www.reuters.com