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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Pernod Spirits High After $8.3B Absolut Buy

French company pays $8.3B for premium vodka brand

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(Newser) – French liquor giant Pernod Ricard's spirits were soaring after its $8.34 billion bid won it ownership of Sweden's state-owned Vin & Spirit, the parent company of Absolut vodka. Pernod topped US-based Fortune Brands in an auction for the purchase, the Wall Street Journal reports, and is now the wine and spirit industry's co-leader.

Pernod set its sights on Absolut, the world’s third-biggest-selling spirit behind Smirnoff vodka and Bacardi rum, to enhance its premium vodka line. The V&S sale is the latest in a spate of liquor industry-consolidations over the past several years, and is the first major deal since credit woes brought mergers and acquisitions to a relative standstill.

Absolut Vodka sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.
Absolut Vodka sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.   (Getty Images)
State-owned Absolut Vodka sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.
State-owned Absolut Vodka sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.   (Getty Images)
A passerby walks past Pernod Ricard logo at the Pernod Ricard headquarters in Paris, Monday March 31, 2008. French drinks-maker Pernod Ricard SA confirmed Monday it acquired Swedish company Vin & Sprit.
A passerby walks past Pernod Ricard logo at the Pernod Ricard headquarters in Paris, Monday March 31, 2008. French drinks-maker Pernod Ricard SA confirmed Monday it acquired Swedish company Vin & Sprit.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
A man enters Pernod Ricard headquarters in Paris, Monday March 31, 2008.
A man enters Pernod Ricard headquarters in Paris, Monday March 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
Bottles of Ricard liquor are seen at Pernod-Ricard headquarters in Paris, in this April 21, 2005 file photo.
Bottles of Ricard liquor are seen at Pernod-Ricard headquarters in Paris, in this April 21, 2005 file photo.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, file)
Various flavors of Absolut, which sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.
Various flavors of Absolut, which sold to Pernod for a winning bid of $8.3 billion.   (Getty Images)
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