Elliott says Currys board wouldn39;t engage
JD.com has until March 18 to make offer
Currys shares down 9
LONDON, March 11 Reuters U.S. investor Elliott Advisors does not intend to make an offer for Currys, saying the board of the British electricals retailer would not engage with it.
Shares in Currys, which last month rejected an improved 757 million pounds 973 million proposal from Elliott, were down 9 in early trading.
Chinabased online giant JD.com has also said it is considering an offer.
Following multiple attempts to engage with Currys39; board, all of which were rejected, it is not in an informed position to make an improved offer for Currys on the basis of the public information available to it, Elliott said on Monday.
Elliott therefore confirms it does not intend to make an offer for Currys.
Elliott39;s second proposal was valued at 67 pence per share. Currys shares closed Friday at 64.5 pence.
JD.com is keen on Currys39; store and warehouse network to help it expand in the UK and Europe and counter weak demand in China. It has not made any statement since Feb. 19 when it confirmed it was in the early stages of evaluating a deal.
It has until March 18 to make a firm offer or walk away under UK takeover rules.
Analysts at Peel Hunt have said they believe it would take an offer of over 80 pence per share for Currys39; board to engage.
While Currys, which sells fridges, washing machines, computers and other electrical equipment in Britain, Ireland,…