VIENNA (Reuters) - Shares in sensors specialist AMS (S:AMS) and lighting group Osram (DE:OSRn) fell on Monday on concerns AMS might revisit its $4.9 billion takeover bid which collapsed on Friday.
Best known for supplying sensors for Apple's (O:AAPL) latest iPhones, AMS had fought a fierce battle versus private equity groups in its pursuit of the larger Osram, a leader in automotive lighting.
In the end, it managed to collect 51.6% of Osram's stock, significantly less than the required 62.5% level.
AMS (S:AMS) shares reversed early gains and were down 4.3% at 42.83 Swiss francs at 0855 GMT.
Early relief that AMS would not burden itself with billions in new debt and a complicated integration process was quickly replaced by worries the company might stick to its takeover plan, traders said.
"While we regard the failing of the bid as positive for AMS due to our concerns on the cost and benefits of the acquisition, it seems unlikely that the matter will end here with another bid being likely at some point," Liberum analyst Janardan Menon said in a note to clients.
AMS had been prepared to take on 4.4 billion euros in additional debt and planned to issue new equity worth 1.6 billion euros to refinance part of the deal.
AMS is now the largest shareholder of Osram with a direct stake of 19.99%. It said on Friday it was still committed to pursuing the acquisition.
Shares in Osram, which became a takeover target after its strategy of turning itself into a high-tech company focussed on LEDs and state-of-the-art laser chips did not bring the hoped-for success, fell as much as 4.5% to 39.00 euros, below the 41 euros that AMS had offered to pay.
Traders had expected a bigger drop and interpreted the smaller slide in Osram stock as a sign that hopes of a deal remain.
"It might be smart not to sell (Osram shares) aggressively," said a trader. "There are still many unknowns including ongoing talks with AMS and maybe an improved offer by Bain & Advent."
Osram said on Friday it was open to discussing a "meaningful and mutually beneficial collaboration" with AMS.
At the same time it said private equity groups Bain Capital and Advent were inspecting its books "with a view to submitting an offer."