Soft drink maker Britvic rejects a £3.1bn takeover move by Carlsberg

Soft drink maker Britvic has rejected a £3.1bn takeover move by Danish brewing giant Carlsberg.

The Robinsons squash and J2O maker saw its shares jump by as much as 15 per cent in response.

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The Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire-based company said it received a proposal from Carlsberg for the whole business on June 11.

It said the potential bid valued to the company at 1,250p per share, or £3.1bn.

Soft drink maker Britvic has rejected a £3.1 billion takeover move by Danish brewing giant Carlsberg. (Photo by Nicholas .T. Ansell/PA Wire)Soft drink maker Britvic has rejected a £3.1 billion takeover move by Danish brewing giant Carlsberg. (Photo by Nicholas .T. Ansell/PA Wire)
Soft drink maker Britvic has rejected a £3.1 billion takeover move by Danish brewing giant Carlsberg. (Photo by Nicholas .T. Ansell/PA Wire)

But Britvic said it concluded that the approach “significantly undervalues Britvic, and its current and future prospects” and rejected the move days later.

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It came a week after it rejected a 1,200p per share approach from Carlsberg.

Britvic told shareholders: “The board remains confident in the current and future prospects of Britvic.

“It recognises its fiduciary duties and will consider any further proposal on its merits.

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“There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made for the company, nor as to the terms of any such offer, should one be made.”

Carlsberg issued a separate statement confirming the move to its investors, saying it believes there could be long-term growth opportunities from a deal.

The Danish company said: “Carlsberg believes that the proposal represents a compelling opportunity for Britvic shareholders to realise their investment in full in cash at an attractive valuation.”

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