Friday, June 20, 2014

Merck Flirts With 52 Week NYSE Highs -- At $59 -- As It Commences Cash Tender For Idenix


The all cash, very friendly, fully-priced tender offer for Idenix kicked off officially with an SEC filing this morning.

And Merck's NYSE specialist firm sees no downside, apparently -- with the order book now regularly kissing numbers over $59 -- last seen as 52 week highs. That makes for a decidedly "Good News Friday" -- for Whitehouse Station.

. . . .Imperial Blue Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as the “Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., a New Jersey corporation (which we refer to as “Parent”), is offering to purchase for cash any (subject to the Minimum Condition, as described below) and all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (which we refer to as the “Shares”), of Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Idenix”), at a price of $24.50 per Share (which we refer to as the “Offer Price”) in cash, net to the seller in cash, without interest, but subject to any required withholding of taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (which we refer to as the “Offer to Purchase”) and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which we refer to as the “Letter of Transmittal” which, together with this Offer to Purchase and other related materials, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitutes and we refer to as the “Offer”). . . .


At triple-plus premiums to pre-deal announcement trading prices per share, this one will get done -- and done quickly. Also, look for it to clear Hart Scott easily, and early. Likely closing in Q3 2014.

Now do like I plan to do -- go out, and have an adventure (even if it's a smallish one!) this glorious summer Friday afternoon!

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