(Bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images)

J.M. Smucker to buy Twinkies maker Hostess in US$5.6 billion deal

'Very surprised (anyone) is paying this amount'

Reuters — J.M. Smucker on Monday agreed to buy Twinkies maker Hostess Brands for US$5.6 billion including debt in a deal that unites two major American snack makers. The deal was worth about $4.6 billion excluding debt, with Jif peanut butter maker Smucker paying Hostess shareholders $34.25 per share (all figures US$). The cash-and-stock offer […] Read more

A freight train at Manchac, La., about 75 km east of Baton Rouge. (CN.ca)

Kansas City Southern accepts new CN bid over CP’s

CN offers to cover KCS's breakup fee with CP

Reuters — U.S. railway operator Kansas City Southern said Thursday it had accepted Canadian National Railway’s $33.6 billion acquisition offer, upending a $29 billion deal with its competitor Canadian Pacific Railway. The development, first reported by Reuters, gives CP five business days to make a new offer for Kansas City Southern. Were CP to table […] Read more


Albaugh’s chemical plant at St. Joseph, Missouri. (AlbaughLLC.com)

Herbicide supplier Albaugh said to be exploring sale

Reuters — Albaugh LLC is exploring a sale that could value the privately held U.S. producer of agricultural crop protection chemicals at more than US$1.5 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. Albaugh, controlled by its 67-year-old founder Dennis Albaugh, is working with investment bank JPMorgan Chase and Co. to discuss a […] Read more





(Dave Bedard photo)

Bayer sweetens Monsanto bid as talks enter final stretch

Reuters — German pharmaceutical and crops manufacturer Bayer said on Monday that its negotiations with Monsanto had advanced, and that it was now willing to offer more than US$65 billion to acquire the world’s largest seeds company. Bayer’s announcement came as the gap in price expectations between the two companies has narrowed significantly, although important […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Monsanto says no to $64-billion question

Monsanto says Bayer's latest bid financially inadequate, but open to talks

(Reuters) — U.S. seed company Monsanto Co turned down a sweetened $64 billion acquisition offer from Bayer AG, but said it was open to further talks with the German healthcare and chemicals group as well as other parties. The widely expected rejection puts pressure on Bayer to sweeten its offer once again, at least enough […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Bayer sweetens offer for hesitant Monsanto

Reuters — German drug and crop chemical group Bayer on Thursday announced details of a sweetened US$64 billion bid for Monsanto as it tries to put the U.S. seed company under pressure to engage further. The move shows the two companies have made little progress in their negotiations since Monsanto rejected Bayer’s previous offer in […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Bayer waiting for Monsanto to engage after spurned bid

Reuters — Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, has still not opened its books more than two weeks after it rejected Bayer AG’s US$62 billion acquisition offer but left the door open to a possible deal, according to people familiar with the matter. The impasse shows that little progress in negotiations has been made since […] Read more