Newmont ups its bid

Article Excerpt

NEWMONT CORP., $47.49, remains a buy for long-term growth and as a hedge against inflation. The company (New York symbol NEM; Shares o/s: 794.7 million; Market cap: $38.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 3.4%; www.newmont.com) has now made a new offer to acquire Austrailia-based Newcrest Mining. It operates gold mines in Australia, Canada and Papua New Guinea. Newmont’s updated bid is 0.40 of a common share for every share of Newcrest. Based on current prices, the offer is worth $19.3 billion. Newcrest had already rejected a lower exchange ratio of 0.38. It has not yet accepted the new offer. However, it has given Newmont greater access to company information in order to better value it. Big acquisitions like this add risk, especially with little overlap between the two firms. However, Newcrest’s mining techniques will help cut the cost of Newmont’s new developments. Newmont remains a buy for long-term gains. gains…