AGT may get a better offer

Article Excerpt

AGT FOOD & INGREDIENTS $18.27 (Toronto symbol AGT; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (604-231-1100; www.agtfoods.com; Shares o/s: 24.2 million; Market cap: $442.1 million; Divd. yield: 4.0%) is up 35% since late July. That’s when a management group that holds 18% of the outstanding shares, led by AGT President and CEO Murad Al-Katib, offered to buy the company for $18.00 a share in cash. Meanwhile, AGT’s largest shareholder, investment firm Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc., controls 18.6% of the company’s shares. It feels the offer undervalues the company. It plans to vote against the takeover. Even after the price jump, AGT shares are now trading above the $18.00 offer price. That suggests investors expect a higher offer. AGT will form an independent committee of directors to examine the bid and it should make a recommendation in a few weeks. AGT Food & Ingredients is still a hold. hold…