Private equity firm Apollo Global Management is reportedly nearing a deal to buy packaging company RPC Group PLC for more than US$3.8bn after extending the deadline for a takeover offer several times.
A deal could be announced as soon as Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
On Friday, RPC said the UK’s takeover panel had granted another extension on the deadline Apollo needs to make a firm offer for the company. Apollo must make an offer by no later than 5 pm on January 23.
RPC repeated that discussions with Apollo were at an advanced stage with due diligence complete.
READ: D-day for Apollo Global Management to 'put up or shut up' with offer for RPC
The deal deadline has been extended each month since RPC announced it was in talks with Apollo in September.
For Apollo, a 22% decline in RPC shares last year presents a buying opportunity if it can address the firm’s challenges such as an EU and UK clampdown on plastic waste.
Apollo is under pressure the invest the cash it has raised after pulling out of some auctions for major acquisitions including for the speciality chemicals business of Dutch paints maker Akzo Nobel NV.