Tata Tea shares soar 15% on Coke-Glaceau buzz

Beverage giant Coca-Cola is planning to acquire US energy drink firm Glaceau in which Tata Tea has 30% stake in a deal that could be worth over $3 billion, US media reports said today.

Reports in The Wall Street Journal as well as two industry publications, Beverage Digest and Beverage Business Insights, quoted unnamed sources as saying the world's largest soft drink maker is in serious negotiations to acquire part or all of Glaceau.

The reports sent shares of Tata Tea, which had bought the 30% stake for $677 million in August last year, soaring close to 15% on the bourses.

Tata Tea shares closed at Rs 773.35 on the Bombay Stock Exchange - 14.8% over the previous close of Rs 673.70. The stock hit an intra-day high of Rs 781.

When contacted, a Tata Tea spokesperson declined to comment. Officials at Atlanta, US-based Coca-Cola could not be contacted immediately.

Based on the price of Tatas' acquisition, New York-based Glaceau could be valued at close to $2.25 billion. However, the reports suggested a deal could be worth as much as $3 billion.

Although it is not clear whether Coca-Cola is looking to acquire Tatas' stake or not, brokers said the sharp rally in Tata Tea's shares today was triggered by expectations that the company could reap huge premium on its stake in Glaceau if the US giant decides to acquire 100% of the North American energy drink maker.

The reports said that Coke is looking to expand its non-soda based products portfolio with this acquisition in its bid to reverse its declining sales momentum.

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