Finmeccanica favors Hitachi's bid for Ansaldo Breda and Ansaldo STS
Hitachi [TYO:6501], the Japanese industrial group, is in pole position to acquire Ansaldo Breda and Ansaldo STS [ITA:STS], the railway equipment units of Italian defence group Finmeccanica [ITA:FNC], Il Messaggero reported.
The Italian-language report cited unspecified sources who said Hitachi's binding bid is favored over that of the Chinese consortium led by Insigma.
Finmeccanica's board of directors could decide on 27 January whether to enter into exclusive negotiations with Hitachi, the report said.
Hitachi is bidding for 100% of rolling stock manufacturer Ansaldo Breda and 40% in listed railway signalling group Ansaldo STS. The report said Hitachi's offer could be worth EUR 1.5bn.
Il Messaggero