VNU & ACNielsen Sign $2.3 Billion Merger Agreement.

ACNielsen Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which VNU N.V. will acquire all of the common stock of ACNielsen for $36.75 per share in cash. The aggregate value of the transaction will be approximately $2.3 billion.

The definitive agreement provides for a cash tender offer by a wholly-owned subsidiary of VNU for all of the outstanding shares of ACNielsen common stock at a price of $36.75 per share. The tender offer is subject to a minimum tender condition of a majority of the fully diluted ACNielsen common shares being validly tendered and not withdrawn. The tender offer will be subject to the satisfaction of certain other conditions specified in the tender offer materials. It is expected that the offer will be consummated in the first quarter of 2001.

Following the completion of the tender offer, VNU will consummate a second-step merger in which the remaining ACNielsen shares will be exchanged for the same cash consideration. The merger is subject to customary conditions. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction.

Skip to content