Reckitt to Buy Durex Maker SSL for $3.89 Billion

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Reckitt Benckiser Plc agreed to buy Durex condom maker SSL International Plc for 2.54 billion pounds ($3.9 billion), bolstering its health and personal-care business in the biggest acquisition since the company was formed in 1999.

Reckitt’s offer is worth 1,171 pence a share, 33 percent more than SSL’s closing price yesterday. SSL rose 33 percent in London trading, the most ever. Reckitt, the maker of Cillit Bang cleaners and Nurofen painkillers, gained 3.5 percent.