SDL ups offer for Alterian, talks begin

Computer translation company SDL has upped its indicative offer for Alterian, the Bristol based firm which makes content creation software.

The new offer is for 110p per share, up from the original 80p offer made in October.

Alterian now says it is "prepared to engage" with SDL although emphasises that discussion are at an early stage.

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The news that Alterian is prepared to talk pushed the firm's stock price up 14% to 99.66p by 1347GMT while SDL's price had dropped, slightly, by 0.39%.

Alterian is a troubled enterprise, having seen its value drop 75% between the start of the year and the middle of October on the back of profit warnings and staffing cuts.

BS