11/5/2009 - Agrium Inc. (NYSE:AGU) said Thursday that it is raising its bid for CF Industries Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CF), in a final attempt to acquire the company. The offer has been extended until midnight on November 18. The new offer gives CF shareholders $45 per share plus one Agrium share per CF stake, which is a $5 increase in the cash portion of the proposal. The total value of the deal is $4.52 billion, based on CF outstanding shares as of September 30 and is a 7.6% premium over CF's closing price on Wednesday. Agrium President and CEO Mike Wilson said, "This is Agrium's best and final offer. We have addressed all Canadian and U.S. regulatory concerns and are prepared immediately to execute a fully financed, binding merger agreement. Given that CF has consistently refused to engage with us, this is CF stockholders' final opportunity to make it clear to the CF board that they want to receive a premium rather than pay one. We will listen to and respect the wishes of CF's owners. CF stockholders must tender their shares by November 18 to send an unambiguous message that they want this deal with Agrium at this price."

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