Adds SAP and Novartis
Oct 27 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 2000 GMT on Monday:
** SAP SAPG.DE, Europe's largest software provider, offered to buy accounting software firm BlackLine BL.O for nearly $4.5 billion in June but was rebuffed and is now considering whether to pursue the company again, according to a copy of the offer letter reviewed by Reuters and a person familiar with the matter.
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** Swiss drugmaker Novartis NOVN.S on Monday defended its $12 billion deal to acquire Avidity Biosciences ahead of the U.S. firm getting late-stage data for its muscle disorder treatment next year, saying it was "an appropriate risk to take".
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** London-based fund manager Janus Henderson said it had received a takeover proposal from billionaire Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management and General Catalyst, valuing it at $7.18 billion.
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** American Water Works agreed to buy Essential Utilities in an all-stock deal to create a combined company worth $63 billion, including debt, strengthening its position as the top regulated water utility in the country.
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** Huntington Bancshares agreed to buy smaller rival Cadence Bank in an all-stock deal valued at $7.4 billion, underscoring a broader push by regional lenders to grow their footprint and compete with larger banks.
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** Albemarle said it will sell a 51% stake in its refining catalyst solutions business, Ketjen, to private equity firm KPS Capital Partners, and divest its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to France's Axens SA, in deals worth about $660 million.
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** Cenovus Energy , further sweetened its bid for MEG Energy to C$30 a share, winning long-sought backing from MEG's largest shareholder, Strathcona Resources .
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** India's renewable energy service company OMC Power, backed by Japan's Mitsui & Co 8031.T and Chubu Electric Power 9502.T, said that Japanese automaker Honda Motor 7267.T has taken an equity stake in the company to jointly build clean energy storage batteries.
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** Australia's Larvotto Resources LRV.AX said it had rejected a non-binding indicative offer received last week from United States Antimony Corporation, valuing the miner at about A$722.9 million ($469.74 million).
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** Swiss drugmaker Novartis on Sunday said it agreed to acquire U.S. biotech firm Avidity Biosciences RNA.O for about $12 billion in cash, as the company looks to bolster its portfolio of treatments for rare muscle disorders.
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(Compiled by Rajarshi Roy and Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru)
((Anhata.Rooprai@thomsonreuters.com))