Corus: Better fit v/s better bid

21 November 2006

What are CSN's chances of acquiring Corus compared to Tata Steel, and who has the edge? CNBC-TV18 reports on how the two competitors stack up.

Money talks. But a higher price is not the only arrow in CSN's quiver. The Brazilian steel maker has been buying Corus stock to shore up its bid. On Thursday, 16 November, a day before it counter bid on Corus, CSN bought a 2.33-per cent stake in the Anglo-Dutch steel maker through a subsidiary company Supernova Acquisitions at 472 pence a share. It's total stake now stands at 3.8 per cent.

Interestingly, its bankers also hold stakes in Corus. Barclay owns 4.7 per cent and Goldman Sachs another 2 per cent with UBS. This 6.7-per cent could back CSN in its chase for Corus, unless of course, 'Chinese Walls' in investment banking come to Tata's rescue.

Add to this list Standard Life Investments, Corus' single largest shareholder at 7.9 per cent. Standard Life has made it clear that it thinks of Tata's offer as too low. So unless the Tatas substantially raise their bid, this shareholder may not be in favour either.

Potentially, 18.4 per cent of Corus' shares are working in CSN's favour, though that's not all that it has to offer. While India's leaning against ore exports, Brazil, the largest iron ore exporter in the world, is more liberal. And just like Tata Steel, CSN is also tempting Corus with low cost ore from its world's largest Casa de Pedra mine and access to emerging markets.

"CSN produces about 5mt of steel a year, as presently does Tata Steel. CSN has massive ambitions to expand its production and output as does Tata Steel, and both companies have access to very high quality iron ore. They are both similiar companies and are both ambitious," comments Patrick Flockhart, managing director, Steel Biz Briefing.