OSAKA (Kyodo) Electronics giant Panasonic Corp. will launch a tender offer for Sanyo Electric Co. this week because the acquisition is all but assured of clearing antitrust probes overseas, sources said Saturday.
Although the buyout plan is still being scrutinized by the U.S. government, approval by Washington is almost certain, the sources said, and China has already given conditional approval as well.
Panasonic will call a board meeting Wednesday to decide on the timing of the offer, which is expected to start Thursday, the sources said.