Irish energy distributor DCC is close to accepting a £5.7 billion ($7.64 billion) takeover proposal from a consortium of KKR and Energy Capital Partners despite shareholder pushback, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
DCC’s shares hit a near six-year high earlier in the session, but were trading marginally lower at £63.45 at 1415 GMT.
Here are some more details:
- DCC, which distributes liquid gas, biofuels, and renewable energy to businesses and households, signalled its support for a sweetened £65.25 cash per share proposal in June, after rejecting a previous bid which it deemed too low.
- Two of DCC’s largest investors, Aviva Investors and Fidelity International, have previously opposed the deal, saying the buyout firms were undervaluing the company, the report said.
- The consortium is pushing ahead with its existing offer ahead of a Wednesday deadline, the report added, with DCC’s board close to a final sign-off on the deal.
- London-listed DCC and KKR declined to comment on the report, while Energy Capital did not immediately respond to a Reuters request.
- Under UK Takeover Panel rules, the consortium has until July 15 to make a firm offer for DCC or walk away.
