WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - LINN Energy LLC (LINE) and LinnCo LLC (LNCO) announced Monday that they have received early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with their proposed merger with Berry Petroleum Co. (BRY).
The termination of this waiting period, which is effective as of March 13, 2013, satisfies one of the conditions to closing for LINN Energy and LinnCo's proposed acquisition of Berry Petroleum Company.
The transaction is subject to other closing conditions, including the approval of the shareholders of Berry and LinnCo and the unitholders of LINN Energy. Subject to satisfaction of these other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close by June 30, 2013.
In February 2013, LINN Energy, LLC, LinnCo, LLC, and Berry Petroleum Company signed a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which LINN and LinnCo will acquire all of Berry's outstanding shares for total consideration of approximately $4.3 billion, including the assumption of debt.
As per the terms of the agreement, LinnCo has agreed to issue 1.25 common shares for each common share of Berry outstanding prior to the merger. The consideration to be received by Berry shareholders is valued at $46.2375 per Berry share based on LinnCo's closing price as of February 20, 2013. This represents a premium of 19.8 percent to the Berry closing price on February 20, 2013, and a premium of 23.1 percent to its one month average price at that date.
Copyright(c) 2013 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
© 2013 AFX News
