Hitachi is aiming to raise its
stake in Italian railway signalling company Ansaldo STS from
46.48% to over 50% and avert the risk of a hostile takeover,
ANSA sources said Wednesday.
The Japanese group is contacting several investors with
stakes of under 5% and is ready to offer them 10.50 euros per
share, the sources said.
That offer would also apply to investors who sold a total
of 6.4% of the company's capital in a public offer that
concluded last week.
Several major investors did not sign up and took legal
action, saying the initial offer of 9.50 euros per share
undervalued the company.
Hitachi bought 40% of Ansaldo STS from Italian defence
and aerospace giant Finmeccanica last year at the 9.50 euros
price.
Italian prosecutors are probing alleged collusion between
Hitachi and Finmeccanica on the price and finance police
searched the two companies' offices in Italy, and those of
Ansaldo STS, last week.
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