Unilever Dutch Row Misses the Danger of Pricey M&A
Unilever NV is asking its shareholders to grant it more flexibility in M&A at the cost of slightly stronger takeover defenses and ejection from Britain's blue chip FTSE-100 index. The cost-benefit equation turns above all on whether the consumer group can be trusted not to abuse its newfound freedom to overpay for a U.S. deal. To re-cap, the group comprises separate U.K. Plc and Netherlands NV companies that act jointly.