Wide Bay tries again on Mackay

Ian Rogers
Wide Bay Australia yesterday revised its offer for Mackay Permanent Building Society a second time and now argues the bid is more valuable than the alternative bid from Bank of Queensland. The board of Mackay has so far preferred the BOQ's offer.

The new offer increases the share alternative to 0.80 Wide Bay shares, plus $1.00 in cash, from 0.65 Wide Bay shares and $1.00. The full cash offer remains at $9.40 per share.

BOQ offered $9.25 per share, including the most recent $1 per share dividend from Mackay, and a scrip alternative of 0.5 BOQ shares for each Mackay share held.

Wide Bay kicked off the bidding for Mackay Permanent three months ago.