Sterlite Industries India Ltd. (NYSE: SLT), which is already the largest copper and zinc producer in India, is getting bigger. That is, the company has agreed to purchase Asarco LLC (based in the U.S.) for about $2.6 billion. With the deal, Sterlite will get an estimated five million tons of copper reserves.
Basically, it's easier to mine for copper on Wall Street (with acquisitions) instead of digging into the ground. As a result, there were four suitors for Asarco (which, by the way, is in bankruptcy and is dealing with complex environmental liabilities).
Furthermore, with the surge in copper prices, there is definitely enough firepower to get deals done -- at high valuations.
This deal also points to another interesting theme: the aggressive M&A of Indian firms. For example, Tata Motors recently purchased Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford (NYSE: F). There was also Tata Steel's $12 billion acquisition of Corus Group.
And, it's a good bet we'll see a lot more deal-making. Simply put, India needs to snag more natural resources to facilitate its torrid growth rate.
Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook
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