Coke in talks to buy Quaker for $ 15 billion

Coke in talks to buy Quaker for $ 15 billion
REUTERS

NEW YORK, NOV 20: Coca-cola Co is in intensive talks to buy Quaker Oats Co, offering about $15 billion in a deal that would put leading Sports drink Gatorade in the hands of the world’s largest soft drink maker, sources familiar with the situation told Reuters on Sunday.

A deal, which would value Quaker at about $115 a share, could be announced within the next few days, said sources, who did not want to be identified. It could not immediately be determined if Coca-Cola would pay cash, stock or a combination of both.

It was said that talks between Coca-Cola and Quaker were at a fragile stage and the sources warned that it was possible no deal would be reached. It was also believed that French food group Danone SA was interested in acquiring Quaker, but sources said Coca-Cola was the favored buyer as of Sunday evening.