No change in CIMB view despite higher HPL bid

THE second revised buyout offer for Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) is deemed to be "fair and reasonable" by the independent financial adviser to HPL. 68 Holdings, a consortium led by tycoon Ong Beng Seng and Wheelock Properties, had raised its bid a second time to $4.05 per share last month.

CIMB's opinion on the offer is unchanged from its earlier report issued after the consortium first raised its offer price from $3.50 a share to $4. The updated report by CIMB was released in a supplementary letter to shareholders by HPL's board of directors ye…