Voting Extended In Family Dollar Deal

October 31, 2014

Dollar General has extended the deadline for Family Dollar shareholders to approve a buyout while it continues to recommend a "no" vote on a competing proposal from Dollar Tree.

Dollar General said it extended its tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Family Dollar for $80.00 to December 31 from October 31.  Meanwhile, Family Dollar is scheduled to hold a special meeting on December 11 to vote on a merger with Dollar Tree that offers less generous compensation than Dollar General's bid, but is viewed as offering shareholders a higher degree of certainty concerning regulatory approval.  Dollar General has disputed that assertion and both it and Family Dollar have presented their respective experts to offer opinions on the merits of a Dollar General versus Dollar Tree acquisition.

Dollar General wants Family Dollar shareholders to vote against the Dollar Tree merger to send a clear message to the Family Dollar board to engage in discussions with Dollar General.  The company said a vote against the merger agreement with Dollar Tree would not obligate Family Dollar shareholders to tender their shares in the Dollar General tender offer.

Dollar General said it remains committed to the proposed acquisition of Family Dollar and will continue to cooperate with the Federal Trade Commission to obtain antitrust regulatory clearance for the transaction.

Source: Retailing Today