MARGARINE AND LEVERS.
The rumour which has for so long been current of a fusion or working arrangement between Lever Brothers and Margarine Union has now been officially confirmed, the announcement being made last Monday to the effect that a provisional agreement had been signed for the purpose of acquiring complete co-operation between the two organizations in the working of their respective businesses. This co-operation is apparently to be achieved through the amalgamation of the ordinary share capital of Lever Brothers and the share capital of Margarine Union, with which company, of course, is associ- ated N.V. Margarine Unie. This capital, it is stated, is to be amalgamated as from January 1st next " on the basis of equality of status." Beyond that expression however, the market has been left to conjecture what may be the precise terms of the exchange of shares, though not unnaturally it is assumed that the development is likely to take the form of the creation of some holding company in which the ordinary share- holders of Lever Brothers and all the shareholders of Margarine Union will in due course receive shares on a certain basis.
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