AP – Chinese steelmaker Sinosteel Corp. has taken control of 98 percent of Midwest Corp. and will proceed with compulsory acquisition of the Australian miner, Midwest said.
In a brief statement Wednesday, Midwest said Sinosteel would recommend de-listing the company from the Australian Securities Exchange. The conclusion of the deal marks the first successful hostile takeover of an Australian firm by a Chinese entity.
The exchange released a notice from Sinosteel to Midwest that said the Chinese company had gained a 98.52 interest on Monday, after U.S. hedge fund Harbinger Capital agreed to the Chinese firm’s offer for its 15.2 percent stake.
Also Monday, major shareholders Murchison Metals Ltd. and Armadale Offshore Inc. accepted Sinosteel’s takeover bid, giving up their 9 percent and 12 percent stakes in Midwest.
Sinosteel launched a $1.36 billion bid for Midwest in December last year, and gained a controlling stake in July.
