By CBS4 Newsroom
newsroom@cbs4qc.com
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (AP) Avis is buying Zipcar for $491.2 million, expanding its offerings from traditional car rentals to car sharing services.
Avis Budget Group Inc. will pay $12.25 per share, which is a 49 percent premium to the company's Friday closing price.
The companies put the total value of the deal at approximately $500 million. Zipcar Inc. has about 40.1 million outstanding shares, according to FactSet. It will become an Avis subsidiary and have headquarters in Boston.
Shares jumped more than 6 percent in premarket trading Monday. The boards of both companies unanimously approved the buyout. Avis, based in Parsippany, N.J., anticipates $50 million to $70 million in annual savings. If Zipcar shareholders approve the deal, it's expected to close in the spring.
