Sara Lee spinoff accepts buyout offer

Article Excerpt

D.E. MASTER BLENDERS 1753 N.V. $16 (U.S. over-the-counter market symbol DEMBF; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 594.9 million; Market cap: $9.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.6; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.demasterblenders1753.com) makes coffee and tea under a variety of brands, including Senseo, Pickwick and Douwe Egberts. The company was part of the old Sara Lee Corp., which split into two separate companies in July 2012: Hillshire Brands (see page 45) and Holland-based D.E. Master Blenders. The company has accepted a takeover offer from Joh A Benckiser, a privately held German firm. Investors will receive 12.50 euros (or $16.50 U.S.) a share by June 30, 2013. D.E. Master shareholders should tender their shares to receive the full amount without paying brokerage fees. fees…