27th Jan 2016 18:37
LONDON (Alliance News) - J Sainsbury PLC Wednesday said that it understands that its largest investor, The Qatar Investment Authority, has not yet taken a final position on a renewed bid for Home Retail Group PLC, following press reports that the QIA was close to giving its support.
In response to articles from The Times and The Guardian, Sainsbury's said that it understood that the QIA was not the source of the articles, and like any other shareholder would consider any such proposal in detail before making a final decision on its position.
The reports said that QIA, which owns a 25% stake in Sainsbury's, was understood to have indicated it would support the UK supermarket chain should it make a renewed bid for Home Retail, the owner of Homebase and Argos, of more than GBP1.0 billion.
Sainsbury's had a bid for Home Retail rejected back in November and now has until Tuesday next week under UK takeover rules to make a firm offer or walk away from the deal. Since its offer was disclosed, Home Retail has struck a deal to sell Homebase to US group Wesfarmers Ltd.
Shares in Sainsbury's closed up 0.02% at 231.05 pence Wednesday.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
Copyright 2016 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Sainsbury'sHome Reit