ICL Takeover Faces Challenges From Regional Turmoil

Bloomberg reported that, according to analysts, the Arab spring,  and the anticipated turmoil, may present the greatest barrier to PotashCorp’s $13.5 billion takeover of Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL).

As quoted in the market report:

Israel Chemicals’ minerals are harvested from the salt-rich Dead Sea along the border with Jordan, and Israel is concerned that foreign ownership would hinder its ability to defend the boundary should unrest in the kingdom boil over, said Richard Gussow, a senior analyst at DS Securities & Investments Ltd. in Tel Aviv. Israel’s Defense Ministry would be less likely to share intelligence with a foreign company, as it now does with Israel Chemicals, he said.

To view the whole Bloomberg report, click here.