Rank's SIG shares

Graeme Hart's Rank Group said on Friday it held 95.59 per cent of shares and voting rights in SIG after an extended offer period for its US$2.3 billion ($3 billion) takeover bid for the Swiss packaging group.

The number was a provisional final result and would rise to 98.33 per cent subject to the completion of the offer, because of treasury shares SIG held.

Rank said it would consider delisting SIG after settlement of the takeover, expected around May 11. Rank, which owns Carter Holt Harvey, said it would publish the final results of the offer on April 25.

- REUTERS