Yamana’s Bid Succeeds

Article Excerpt

YAMANA GOLD $13.43 (Toronto symbol YRI; SI Rating: Speculative) (416-815-0220; www.yamana.com; Shares outstanding: 617.4 million; Market cap: $8.3 billion) has acquired over 78% of the outstanding shares of Meridian Gold and can now complete its takeover bid. Yamana will also acquire all the outstanding shares of NORTHERN ORION RESOURCES $7.25 (Toronto symbol NNO; SI Rating: Extra risk) (604-689-9663; www.northernorion.com; Shares outstanding: 154.1 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion) for 0.543 of a Yamana common share and $0.001 in cash. That’s a gain of 135.2% since we first recommended Northern Orion as our Pick of the Month in June, 2004 at $3.10. The Meridian and Northern Orion purchases will give Yamana gold production of between 1 million and 1.5 million ounces in 2009, and 2.2 million ounces by 2012. The company could generate more than $2 billion in cash flow annually by 2010. Yamana is a buy. Shareholders of Northern Orion should tender to Yamana’s offer. offer…