Garda eyes bid bump for G4S, sources say

Gardaworld is planning to increase its hostile offer for G4S Plc before a looming deadline, according to people familiar with the matter, the latest twist in the hotly contested pursuit of the British security provider.

The Canadian security firm is likely to announce an increase before a Wednesday deadline, said the people, who asked not to be identified because discussions are private. The Montreal-based company hasn't made a final decision and a price couldn't be immediately learned.

Some top G4S shareholders have been pushing for the suitors to raise their bids to at least 220 pence per share as a starting point for more serious negotiations, the people said.

Garda, with the backing of main shareholder BC Partners, announced an all-cash offer of 190 pence a share, or 2.9 billion pounds (US$3.9 billion), in September. G4S and some key shareholders rejected it as too low. As of Nov. 30, barely anyone had accepted the bid, increasing the pressure on the Canadian suitor to improve its offer or move on. On Monday Garda said it has further extended for acceptance until Dec. 16, Reuters reported.

Shares of G4S have climbed as high as 225.40 pence in London on Tuesday amid expectations of a bidding war, giving the company a market value of about 3.5 billion pounds.

U.S. competitor Allied Universal Security Services LLC is also preparing a fresh offer for G4S after the target rejected a proposal of at least 210 pence per share, according to people familiar with the deliberations.

The American company, which is backed by Canadian pension fund Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec and buyout firm Warburg Pincus, has been waiting to see if Garda bumps before making a final decision on a new bid, they said.

Allied Universal is lining up financing after holding behind-thescenes talks and getting access to G4S'S books, helping it calculate a higher offer based on potential synergies and the business outlook, the people said. They have a week after the Dec. 2 deadline to make a counteroffer.

Representatives for Allied, Garda and G4S declined to comment.

G4S chief executive Ashley Almanza said in an interview in October that the company hasn't seen any mergers that make sense and will push ahead with a turnaround plan.