Toshiba Corp. plans to return an additional ¥150 billion ($1.37 billion) to shareholders and establish a strategic review committee to examine options for the business, including proposals to take it private.
The move comes after weeks of takeover discussions sparked by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners’ $21 billion acquisition bid. The Japanese energy-to-electronics conglomerate has been pressured by 3D Investment Partners and other investors to conduct a full strategic review and explore any serious interest in the company in order to rebuild shareholder trust.
Toshiba, which deemed the CVC proposal insufficiently detailed to evaluate, said Friday it has appointed UBS as financial adviser and will consider potential offers, without committing to a transaction. It made the announcement while releasing its quarterly earnings.