Oxford Nanopore Technolo... Share Discussion Threads

[spud] 26/3/2004 19:28

90% requirement for unconditional.

Fat chance - bring on the improved offer!

spud

[a0148009] 26/3/2004 13:42

They will not be satisfied with the present small majority but can extend again after 8th April. Ideally they would like to go unconditional ie 90% acceptances.However shareholders who did not give their irrevocable acceptance at the outset can withdraw if a third party counters who may have been waiting to see the strength of support for LMC.If a counter is 5% higher than the original bid the irrevocable acceptances can be withdrawn. I am going to sweat it out as I do not see much to lose at this level. 50.29% acceptances is hardly a resounding vote of confidence and this has been achieved by the arbitragers buying ONT and
selling equivalent LMC.

[bob725] 26/3/2004 13:14

When do you think they will announce the result of their bid? - whether successful or not.

[karakorum] 26/3/2004 09:42

Can anyone tell me why LMC would extend the offer if it was a done deal? Surely they would get on with it to cut down on the risk of it going pear-shaped?

Thanks

[cir] 26/3/2004 06:51

i thought lmc needed 90% plus acceptance for the bid to proceed.

correct me if i am wrong.

will lmc raise the offer price if it still fails to secure the required % after the extended offer period ends?

[mikeran] 25/3/2004 20:21

Remind me gents -what percentage do they require for the bid to proceed? If there are more sellers as a result of to-days announcement, then certainly these shares will be mopped up by those with some vested interest. altogether not very satisfactory and barely democratic process- but then was it ever.It hardly does either Company any good, but will benefit some large shareholders .

[*drywhite*] 25/3/2004 19:53

Clearly news leakage of the 50% 'valid' acceptancies escaped, enabling certain
'investors' to climb aboard the honeywagon prior to market close.
I just wonder whether all acceptances received are irrovocable.

What happens if LMC price declines again within a fragile market during the extension period?

I am not at all sure I want the debatable value of LMC papaer- so I may well
depart- A Bientot mes Braves.

[bob725] 25/3/2004 19:25

It looks like it. Its worked out too well for the priviledged few.

[spud] 25/3/2004 19:23

If that is the case then i'm very surprised and it points towards the strong possibility of an Institutional stitch up from placing to t/o.

spud

Edit : It is true -

LONDON (AFX) - lastminute.com PLC said its recommended offer for Online
Travel Corporation PLC has been extended until April 8.
By 3.00 pm today, the first closing date of the offer, valid acceptances of
the offer had been received in respect of a total of 89,148,323 OTC shares,
representing approximately 50.29 pct.
[e-mail]
slm/

[cyril lesley fabio] 25/3/2004 18:30

LMC have apparently secured 50% as of today.
Cyril

[*drywhite*] 25/3/2004 17:22

Well Shut my Mouth- the'pathetic' premium has doubled in the last half hour of trading.
Tempting fate but I don't think LMC have the majority they seek and may well be persuaded to sweeten the deal. The absence of an announcement mystifies both long and short punters. Certainly an alternative bid approach would seem unlikely in the present market, so maybe LMC will just extend their offer.

Spud
I am pleased my views on ONT board have been accepted as a mild reproach!

[spud] 25/3/2004 16:10

Come on drywhite get off the fence and tell us what you really think........

:o)

spud

[karakorum] 25/3/2004 10:04

Big volume today- 1 share by 10 a.m. -I wonder if that is the share that tips LMC over 50%!
Lets hope not.

[tradx666] 25/3/2004 09:43

drywhite,

you are spot on.

[*drywhite*] 25/3/2004 09:18

This morning the LMC deal represents a pathetic 5% premium to the closing price of ONT prior to the offer.
Whilst hindsight always provides a more comfortable viewing perspective, this deal does call into question the commercial and business acumen of the ONT board. Favoured Institutional investors, no doubt, have a contrary interpretation given their invitation to invest at 15p ONT levels suspiciously recently.
What are we 'ordinary' shareholders to make of the past and future? My personal view is one of disgust at a manipulative and selfish ONT management,
risibly exposed for their appalling acquiescence to an unacceptable offer.

[this_is_me] 24/3/2004 23:06

I am glad that I sold out just after the deal was announced. I might buy back in if the share price continues to tank and the deal dies.

[cyril lesley fabio] 24/3/2004 17:01

IMHO, the noises I am hearing suggest that support for this deal is 30-35%. Expect LMC to extend the offer tomorrow and aim for the 50%. No sign of an improved offer, LMC are just hoping for upturn in their share price.

LMC desparately need this deal to happen. Other potential buyers were put off for fear of entering a bidding war (EBR), or couldn't move quick enough (our American friends), but rest assured they'll be knocking on the ONT door if it doesn't happen.

Nice one
Cyril

[mikeran] 24/3/2004 14:50

Absolutely no activity in ONT since 0930 this am, perhaps ( my suggestion) if the institutions have a foot in both , would they perhaps have sold ONT to-day if their holding was to be further diluted on the bid going through? Perhaps insider info is telling them that either the bid will fail or be restructured if that is possible-- bearing in mind the current value of LMC . My thoughts only .

[simeon7] 24/3/2004 09:01

I think the problem is that the bid has come at the worst possible time.

As there are fund manager holding both shares, it will be in their interests to try and force the deal through.

I am sure they would prefer to destroy value in ONT than LMC! The risk of LMC's price dropping through the floor if the deal doesn't go through will be scaring them to death.

Thats why I think it will be approved. Sorry chaps, I really do feel for you. LMC is a dog.

[a0148009] 23/3/2004 08:59

Price back to where we started prior to the bid.Dhamija of e-Bookers indicated
on CNBC yesterday that he would seek growth by acquisition as well as organic.
Todays FT states that Co. "seeking permission to issue $200m in shares in USA
should be seen as a declaration of intent on that score".Does not necessary mean ONT a bid target but does underline further rationalisation of the on-line sector.EBR look oversold after recent fall look reasonable short term trade.

[spud] 22/3/2004 21:27

I'm happy enough with the Board also - Lets wait it out and see the upshot after the 25th.

After all ONT have made 1/2m + stg contribution to the bottom line in 22 days.

I make that 25.5k net per day.

Got my vote!

spud

[bhafc] 22/3/2004 21:04

I'm happy enough with Mark et all. I believe they had their reasons for the deal with LMC. It was a 30% premium and its not their fault that its now a 3% premium.

Lets see what the situation is on 25th and whether it interests anyone else on the sidelines?

[tradx666] 22/3/2004 20:12

LMC won't be able to raise a penny to buy this, they are using the only currency they have - their own paper! And thats geting worth less by the day...

The real issue is this; when this bid fails, we should all remember that the board recommended it, ergo, they should all fall on their collective swords..

Anyone up for a board that believes in what they are doing?

[barnetpeter] 22/3/2004 19:59

What is the price of the bid tonight I wonder after another big LMC fall? If no-one else comes in, what then? Can ONT demand a better price or some cash? LMC will not be able to raise it easily with equity.

[spud] 22/3/2004 19:37

Only a mile...............?

:o)

spud