Theoldman59

BHP Billiton /Rio Tinto Merger: Is It Good for Shareholders?

The calculations are based on the London exchange. If you mix the ADR's on the American Exchange, the numbers are completely fouled up. If memory serves me correctly, the American ADR share for Rio is 4 London shares equals one New York Exchange share. I believe that BHP is one three London shares to one New York Exchange.

On Good Friday, the London prices are BHP 1361 pence and Rio was 4800 pence. That is a ratio of approximately 3.52 Rio shares to one BHP share.

I can't say whether it's a good buy for BHP or not, but use the London prices for comparison, not New York.