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UK: Analysts caught off-guard by OFT’s $2.2B beverage merger referral

By  |  February 15, 2013

Analysts are reportedly bewildered over the UK’s Office of Fair Trading recent referral to the Competition Commission of a failing beverage giant merger between AG Barr and Britvic. According to media, analysts have expressed concern and confusion over the OFT’s decision to refer the merger, worth about $2.2 billion, noting that there are “relatively small” shares each party owns of the soft drinks market in Britain. The parties had argued the merger would be a prominent competitor against Coca-Cola, which currently controls about 50 percent of the take home market in Britain.

 

Full Content: Herald Scotland

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