UPDATE 1-ADM raises bid for GrainCorp
Dec 3 (Reuters) - Archer Daniels Midland Co raised its takeover offer for Australia's GrainCorp Ltd to A$12.20 ($12.73) per share in cash, up from an earlier bid of A$11.75.
ADM said on Monday that it acquired an additional 5 percent of GrainCorp for the new offer price, raising its stake in the Australian grains handler to 19.9 percent.
It said it was ready to begin due diligence on a takeover immediately.
GrainCorp knocked back ADM's earlier bid, which valued the company at $2.8 billion, saying it undervalued GrainCorp after a bumper harvest delivered a record annual net profit. At the time, analysts and shareholders had said they expected a higher offer.
Dec 3- Archer Daniels Midland Co raised its takeover offer for Australia's GrainCorp Ltd to A $12.20 per share in cash, up from an earlier bid of A $11.75. ADM said on Monday that it acquired an additional 5 percent of GrainCorp for the new offer price, raising its stake in the Australian grains handler to 19.9 percent.