UPDATE 3-Potash Corp, K+S not actively discussing takeover -Potash CEO – by Rod Nickel (Reuters U.S. – September 16, 2015)

http://www.reuters.com/

(Reuters) – Potash Corp of Saskatchewan is not actively discussing its takeover proposal with Germany’s K+S, but remains interested in a combination of fertilizer producers that would aid North American potash sales and offer new access to Europe, Chief Executive Jochen Tilk said on Wednesday.

Potash Corp’s standing offer of 7.9 billion euros ($8.90 billion) or 41 euros per share is appealing to K+S shareholders, Tilk said at an investors’ conference in New York organized by Credit Suisse.

“It was attractive when we made it (in July). Marketing conditions have changed, we think it’s even more attractive now,” he said. “I will not put words in K+S shareholders’ mouths but I think most of them feel that is an appropriate offer in terms of premium.”

A K+S spokesman declined to comment. Shares of K+S dipped after Tilk’s comments and closed down 0.2 percent at 33.58 euros in Frankfurt. Potash shares were up 1.8 percent at $25.44 in New York and up 1.3 percent at C$33.51 in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon.

Potash Corp’s interest in K+S comes as the over-built potash industry struggles with low prices.

China imposed a value-added tax this month that will make potash modestly more costly to its rice farmers, Tilk said. Recession in Brazil and the U.S. dollar’s strength are also hurting producers, he said.

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