Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Thursday May 12, 2016

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Thursday May 12, 2016:

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Casino Group announced its intention Thursday, to launch a voluntary cash tender offer for the outstanding shares of Cnova N.V.

held by public shareholders at an offer price of $5.50 per share. The maximum consideration for Cnova is $196 million. The tender offer is conditional upon the completion of the proposed transaction between Via Varejo and Cnova. Cnova closed at $5.03 on Thursday, Up 47%.

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Bayer AG

is exploring a possible offer for Monsanto Co.

according to sources as reported by

on Thursday. Preliminary discussions were held between the two companies, the sources said. JP Morgan estimates a deal could be done for Monsanto at $135 per share. On Wednesday,

reported that Germany's BASF

was considering a potential takeover. The

reported that Monsanto would consider a joint venture with a German firm, but was not interested in becoming a division of BASF or Bayer. Monanto investor relations told Benzinga they do not comment on rumors or speculation. Monsanto closed at $97.92 on Thursday, up 8.39%, after trading as high as $109.88 in the premarket.

:

Ameren Corp.

is preparing to make a final bid to acquire Westar Energy Inc.

, according to sources as reported by

on Thursday. Westar is working with Guggenheim Partners and has set May 23 as the deadline for a firm offer, the sources said. Westar closed at $52.18 on Thursday, up $0.23. It had traded as high as $55.47 after the report.