(Adds: GAM, Kroger Co)
Feb 3 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers,
acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2054 GMT on Friday:
** One of GAM's largest investors, Global Emerging
Markets (GEM), said it has increased its stake in the Swiss
asset manager to 5%.
** A private lawsuit filed in California on Thursday
seeks to stop Kroger Co's planned $25 billion purchase of
rival Albertsons Companies Inc , a deal that state
attorneys general, consumer groups and some U.S. lawmakers have
questioned as harmful to competition in the grocery market.
** Utility provider FirstEnergy Corp said on Thursday
it would sell a 30% ownership interest in its unit FirstEnergy
Transmission LLC to Brookfield Super-Core Infrastructure
Partners in an all-cash deal of $3.5 billion.
** Australia's Nitro Software said an A$526.9
million ($371.78 million) takeover offer by KKR Inc -
backed Alludo did not get the requisite 75% vote from its
shareholders, after which Alludo made an off-market offer.
** Japan's Idemitsu Kosan Co has agreed to sell its
85% stake in the Ensham coal mine in Australia to a Thungela
Resources subsidiary, Sungela Pty, for an upfront
payment of A$340 million ($240 million), it said.
** Canada-based Taseko Mines Ltd said it was in
confidential discussions with Japanese trading house Sojitz Corp over the potential purchase of the latter's share in
Gibraltar Mines.
** Zur Rose unexpectedly agreed to sell its Swiss
business to Migros subsidiary Medbase in order to focus on
expanding in Germany, the Swiss online drug retailer said,
sending its shares soaring on their best day ever.
** The board of Icelandic lender Kvika banki has
written to its larger rival Islandsbanki proposing a
merger. Islandsbanki said it will respond in the coming days.
** Russia's government commission on foreign investment has
approved the sale of telecoms company VimpelCom on condition
that at least 90% of bonds in Dutch parent VEON are bought back
from Russian investors, state-owned news agency RIA reported.
** Malaysia's Petronas is finalising its first
acquisition of an Australian renewable energy business, set to
pick up German firm Wirsol's solar farms and a large development
pipeline, two people involved in the transaction said.
** Telecom Italia has received a non-binding bid
for a controlling stake in its fixed-line network from U.S. fund
KKR , and Italy's biggest phone group said its board
would meet again later this month to assess the proposal. (Compiled by Rajarshi Roy, Ankit Kumar and Sriparna Roy in
Bengaluru)
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