限界 says Yes to Aussie suitor

By William Kay
Updated: 00:00 BST, 28 June 2000

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Lloyd's 保険会社 限界 looked finally to have succumbed to Australia's QBE 保険 Group, 受託するing a 企て，努力，提案 of £415 million, or 140p a 株.

This 最高の，を越すs 競争相手 Lloyd's 保険会社 Wellington 同意して署名するing, which had won 限界's 是認 for a cash-and-在庫／株 申し込む／申し出 of 133p. Wellington has not f ormally 孤立した from the fray but the 株式市場 reaction to the news, taking 限界 株 up 1/2p to 139p, 示唆するd 売買業者s were not 推定する／予想するing a higher 企て，努力，提案.

限界 chairman Jonathan Agnew said his board had 'decided to recommend a 提案 by QBE to acquire 限界 for cash at 140p per 株'. He 追加するd: 'The board 推定する／予想するs that a formal 告示 of the 詳細（に述べる）d 条件 of the 申し込む／申し出 will be made by QBE within the next two days.'

The saga began three months ago when 限界 明かすd 計画（する）s to 合併する with Wellington. QBE, which wants to 拡大する in the Lloyd's market and had a 170p 企て，努力，提案 拒絶するd last year, （機の）カム in with a 120p cash 申し込む／申し出. Wellington replied with 133 1/2p in cash or 貸付金 在庫／株. QBE （機の）カム 支援する with 135p cash, if 限界's board was in favour.

The board 辞退するd, arguing that Wellington's 貸付金 在庫／株 申し込む／申し出d a continuing 利益／興味 in the 連合させるd group that outweighed the difference in the value of the two 申し込む／申し出s. But 限界 株主s 抗議するd that they should have the chance to take the higher 申し込む／申し出.