Siemens AG’s share price down, offers an asset swap deal to Alstom SA to meet or beat GE’s offer

According to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are still private, Siemens AG offered a deal to exchange train and energy assets with Alstom SA, in an attempt to beat the General Electric Co.s bid.

The people reported that according to the terms proposed by Siemens, some of its transport assets plus additional cash payment would be received by Alstom SA. On the other hand, Siemens AG would receive the energy assets of Alstom, which has been currently in negotiations to sell its power business with General Electric Co.

Siemens is said to be trying to propose matching or better terms than General Electric. In addition, an eventual deal would form two leading entities in the energy and train industries in Europe and is considered better for the countrys economy in comparison with a deal with GE, which may lead to a significant number of lay-offs. Mr. Arnaud Montebourg, the French economy minister, is said to be helping Siemens AG by using his influence over the major deals in the country.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Montebourg said: “GE and Alstom have their agenda, which is that of shareholders, but the French government has its own, which is that of economic sovereignty.”

Alstom SA is a company of strategic importance for France, which is the reason why the French government is looking to choose the best option, according to the countrys economy minister Montebourg. The country is also concerned, because over the last few years there seems to to be a certain trend for some of the largest companies to consider merging with overseas competitors and even move their headquarters in foreign countries.

Siemens AG was 2.26% down to trade at 93.80 euros per share by 9:58 GMT today, marking a one-year change of +22.65. According to the information published on the Financial Times, the 28 analysts offering 12-month price targets for Siemens AG have a median target of 107.00, with a high estimate of 120.00 and a low estimate of 84.00. The median estimate represents a 11.49% increase from the last price of 95.97.