AASTRA TECHNOLOGIES $44.59 - Toronto symbol AAH

AASTRA TECHNOLOGIES $44.59 (Toronto symbol AAH; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (905-760-4200; www.aastra.com; Shares outstanding: 11.8 million; Market cap: $531.1 million; Dividend yield: 1.8%) reports that its shareholders have approved a friendly takeover offer by Mitel Networks (symbol MNW on Toronto). Mitel’s shareholders have also approved the deal, which is expected to close soon.

Mitel is paying $6.52 U.S. in cash and 3.6 Mitel common shares for each Aastra share. Based on today’s price for Mitel stock, the offer is worth $44.87 per Aastra share.

Aastra shareholders will own 43% of the combined company, which will have over $1 billion in sales. The new firm will be a strong competitor in global business communications: it will have the largest share of the Western European market and will be No.3 in North America, behind Cisco and Avaya.

Aastra shareholders should tender their shares to the Mitel offer. Mitel is a hold.

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