Carlsberg Weighs Options After Britvic Rejects $3.9 Billion Takeover Bid

Carlsberg CARL.A -1.80%decrease; red down pointing triangle said it is considering its next steps after U.K. soft-drinks maker Britvic BVIC 7.49%increase; green up pointing triangle rejected a 3.11 billion pound ($3.94 billion) takeover bid, a setback for the Danish brewer as it seeks to expand in the non-alcoholic beverage market and reduce reliance on beer sales.

Carlsberg made an unsolicited improved cash offer of 1,250 pence a share on June 11 for Britvic, which has a broad soft-drink portfolio as well as a franchise-bottling agreement with PepsiCo in the U.K. for the production, distribution and sales of its carbonated drink brands like Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew.

Source: WSJ