Hilton merger agreement with investment group approved
At a special meeting yesterday (18 September), more than 98% of voted shares were in favour of the Hilton Hotels merger agreement with investment funds tied to The Blackstone Group.
The final transactions of the buyout are expected to be carried out by October 2007, according to a spokesperson for Hilton.
Closing the deal is ”subject to the satisfaction of all required regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.”
According to the spokesperson, ”all required regulatory approvals have been obtained other than the receipt of clearance from the European Commission under the EC Merger Regulation.”
Hilton filed a notification with the European Commission on 14 September, this year.
Following completion of the merger, Hilton projects its stockholders will receive $47.40 (”23.80) in cash, without interest, for each share of Hilton common stock held.
Blackstone Group is a leading global alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services.