Samsung withdraws $5.85 billion bid on SanDisk

Posted on Wednesday, October 22 2008 @ 19:39 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Samsung announced it's no longer interested in acquiring flash memory card maker SanDisk for $5.85 billion, or $26 a share. The Korean electronics giant says it's still interested in buying SanDisk, but at a lower price.
In a letter dated and released Wednesday, Samsung Vice Chairman and CEO Lee Yoon-woo informed SanDisk's board that "we are no longer interested in acquiring SanDisk at $26 a share."

The letter said the offer was being withdrawn "after nearly six months of efforts to pursue a transaction with no meaningful progress."

Milpitas, California-based SanDisk, which last month rejected the bid, said in a statement Wednesday that Samsung's announcement came despite SanDisk having outlined a path for further discussions of the offer.

Samsung never contacted SanDisk regarding the proposal after SanDisk's board wrote a letter to Samsung on Sept. 15, the statement said.

"We believe this raises questions about the real motivations behind Samsung's offer," SanDisk said.

In rejecting the bid, Sandisk's board had determined the $5.85 billion takeover offer was "inadequate in multiple respects" and "opportunistic." Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung had said the offer was "full and fair."
SanDisk's response to Samsung's withdrawal can be read here. SanDisk (SNDK) shares are down 32.38% at press time and are trading at $9.98.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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