Shares of QTS Realty Trust Inc. soared 21.0% into record territory in premarket trading Monday, after the data center provider announced and agreement to be acquired by Blackstone Group Inc. in a deal valued at $10 billion. Blackstone’s stock rose 1.0% ahead of the open. Under terms of the deal, QTS Realty shareholders will receive $78.00 for each QTS share they own, which represents a 20.9% premium to Friday’s stock closing price of $64.49, and is 7.5% above the Aug. 5, 2020 record close of $72.56. The buyout deal includes a 40-day “go shop” period, which allows QTS to actively look for alternative proposals. The deal is currently expected to close in the second half of 2021. QTS shares have edged up 4.2% year to date through Friday, while the S&P 500 has rallied 12.6%.
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