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Manufacturing & engineering

Weir Group to exit oil & gas division in US$405mln deal

The firm will become a pure-play mining equipment business

Weir Group PLC (LON:WEIR) announced it has agreed the all-cash sale of its entire oil & gas division to Caterpillar Inc for US$405mln (£314mln).

The engineering company said it is focusing on markets underpinned by global demographic trends, such as the transition to a low carbon society and the adoption of new technologies in the mining industry.

READ: Weir refinances bank facilities, says mining markets robust despite pandemic disruption

The transaction will allow a US$70mln US cash tax benefit to be realised over the medium term.

The FTSE 250 group expects the deal to complete by the end of 2020, assuming normal regulatory clearances and shareholder approval.

Peel Hunt noted the agreement "is transformational and turns Weir into a pure-play mining equipment business".

Shares jumped 14% to 1,456.5p early on Monday.