Dow Chemical agrees to buy rival Rohm and Haas
DETROIT -- The $78-a—share deal includes money from a Kuwaiti sovereign wealth fund and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. The price represents a 74% premium to Philadelphia-based Rohm and Haas's closing share price of $44.83 on Wednesday.
Based on the per-share purchase price and the roughly 196 million shares Rohm and Haas had outstanding as of April 22, the deal is valued by Dow at $18.8 billion including debt.
"The addition of Rohm and Haas' portfolio is game-changing for Dow," said Chairman and Chief Executive Andrew Liveris.
The acquisition is part of an effort by Dow to move into the specialty chemicals market, which may provide a buffer against ups and downs in basic chemical sales.
"We believe that by becoming a part of Dow, we secure a brighter future and greater growth prospects for our employees," Rohm and Haas Chairman and Chief Executive Raj Gupta said.
The deal has been approved by both companies' boards. It is pending approval by Rohm and Haas shareholders and regulatory approvals.
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