LONDON (AP) — Mining company Xstrata and commodities dealer Glencore agreed to a $90 billion merger Tuesday that will create the world's fourth largest natural resources company.
The announcement of the terms of the deal comes just a few days after the revelation that the two companies were in discussions about a long-mooted tie-up. Glencore already had a 34 percent stake in Xstrata.
Under the terms of the deal, Xstrata shareholders would receive 2.8 Glencore shares for each of their shares. That represents a premium of 15.2 percent based on Monday's closing prices.
The merger is projected to yield cost savings of $500 million in the first full year, primarily in marketing, while creating the world's fourth largest global diversified natural resource company, with operations in 33 countries.
It would be the world's third-largest copper producer, fourth-largest nickel producers and the global leader in thermal coal, ferrochrome and integrated zinc production.
"The commodities value chain is becoming longer and more complex, creating opportunities for a company that can pre-emptively participate at every stage," said Xstrata Chief Executive Mick Davis, who will become CEO of the merged company.
"Glencore Xstrata would be well positioned to do just that, creating value from resource extraction to customer sales and services, at a time when demand for our combined products continues to grow," Davis said.
Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg, who will take the titles of deputy CEO and president, said the merger represents "a fantastic opportunity to create a new powerhouse in the global commodities industry."
Xstrata shares were down 1.7 percent at 1,240 pence in early trading in London; Glencore shares were up 1.1 percent at 466 pence.
The merger agreement was announced as Xstrata reported a 22 percent gain in full-year profit to $5.7 billion, compared to $4.7 billion a year earlier. Revenue was up 11 percent to $33.9 billion.
Xstrata, based in Zug, Switzerland, was formed in 2002 when it bought Glencore's coal assets. The company mines copper in the Americas, zinc in Spain and ferrochrome and vanadium in Australia and South Africa.
Glencore extracts, ships and refines raw materials from coal, to copper, to corn. It is based in the Swiss town of Baar but has its main listing in London.
Glencore was founded in 1974 by Marc Rich, the fugitive trader who was controversially pardoned in 2001 by then U.S. President Bill Clinton just hours before he left office. Rich sold the company to its employees in 1994, and the firm has been at pains to distance itself from its founder and any whiff of improper activity. Environmental groups, however, have since targeted the company for its mining interests.
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