Potomac Electric
(POM)
plans to acquire
Conectiv
(CIV)
, the holding company for
Delmarva Power & Light
and
Atlantic Energy
, in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.2 billion, or $25 a share.
Shares of Conectiv traded at a 52-week high of $22.05, up 5%, or $1.05, while Potomac Electric gained 24 cents, or 1.1%, to $21.59 in recent
New York Stock Exchange
trading.
The energy concerns expect to complete the merger in 12 months and plan to form a new holding company for their combined operations. The new company will serve 1.8 million customers in Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia.
John M. Derrick Jr., Potomac Electric's chairman and chief executive, will be chairman and chief executive of the new holding company. Howard E. Cosgrove, chairman and chief executive of Conectiv, plans to retire after the completion of the merger.
