Altria acquisition takes place

摘要

USA: The Altria Group has announced that it has completed its acquisition of UST Inc, the biggest player in the US smokeless tobacco market.rnThe buyout was valued at US$10.4bn, plus the assumption of US$1.3bn in debt. The deal gives UST shareholders US$69.50 per share. Stamford, Connecticut-based UST will become a subsidiary of Altria.rnRichmond-based Altria owns cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, which sells the Marlboro brand in the US; it also owns cigar maker John Middleton Company.rnAltria's purchase of UST, maker of the Copenhagen and Skoal smokeless tobacco brands, gives it a leading position in the expanding market for smokeless tobacco.