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JP Morgan raises Bear Stearns bid JP Morgan raises Bear Stearns bid
(about 1 hour later)
JP Morgan Chase has raised its offer for Bear Stearns to $10 a share, from the original offer of $2 a share.JP Morgan Chase has raised its offer for Bear Stearns to $10 a share, from the original offer of $2 a share.
Under the deal, JP Morgan Chase is also buying 95 million newly issued Bear Stearns shares, or 39.5% of the bank.Under the deal, JP Morgan Chase is also buying 95 million newly issued Bear Stearns shares, or 39.5% of the bank.
The initial offer angered many Bear shareholders who thought the company was being sold at a bargain price.The initial offer angered many Bear shareholders who thought the company was being sold at a bargain price.
Including the new shares, the latest offer values Bear Stearns at around $2.1bn, still a fraction of its value before the near collapse 10 days ago.Including the new shares, the latest offer values Bear Stearns at around $2.1bn, still a fraction of its value before the near collapse 10 days ago.
Purchasing the extra shares puts JP Morgan Chase in a much stronger position to push through the takeover.Purchasing the extra shares puts JP Morgan Chase in a much stronger position to push through the takeover.
'Increased chance''Increased chance'
Bear Stearns shares doubled after the announcement to $11.80, JP Morgan Chase was up more than 2.5% at $47.16. By 1640 GMT Bear Stearns shares had more than doubled to $12.60 and JP Morgan Chase was up 2.9% at $47.30.
But analysts say there will still be doubts, despite the sweetened offer.But analysts say there will still be doubts, despite the sweetened offer.
"Clearly this increases the chance the deal goes through, but there are still going to be employees and shareholders unhappy with $10 a share," said James Ellman, Portfolio Manager at Seacliff Capital in San Francisco."Clearly this increases the chance the deal goes through, but there are still going to be employees and shareholders unhappy with $10 a share," said James Ellman, Portfolio Manager at Seacliff Capital in San Francisco.
JP Morgan Chase also agreed to change the guarantees it is receiving from the US Federal Reserve.JP Morgan Chase also agreed to change the guarantees it is receiving from the US Federal Reserve.
The investment bank will now take on the first $1bn of any Bear Stearns' losses and the Fed will fund remaining $29bn.The investment bank will now take on the first $1bn of any Bear Stearns' losses and the Fed will fund remaining $29bn.
Credit crunchCredit crunch
The raised offer might calm shareholders who feel that Bear Stearns was sold at a bargain price.The raised offer might calm shareholders who feel that Bear Stearns was sold at a bargain price.
Bear Stearns, a victim of the credit crunch, was sold as confidence in the bank fell and clients withdraw funds.Bear Stearns, a victim of the credit crunch, was sold as confidence in the bank fell and clients withdraw funds.
The bank got into trouble when other banks refused to lend it money over fears that it had too many bad debts due to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Clients were worried about Bear Stearns exposure to investments in assets backed by US mortgages.The bank got into trouble when other banks refused to lend it money over fears that it had too many bad debts due to the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Clients were worried about Bear Stearns exposure to investments in assets backed by US mortgages.
It had been reported that the Fed was reluctant to agree to a raised offer as it did not want to appear to be bailing out Bear Stearns shareholders.It had been reported that the Fed was reluctant to agree to a raised offer as it did not want to appear to be bailing out Bear Stearns shareholders.
Many of those shareholders have seen their investment decimated.Many of those shareholders have seen their investment decimated.