Why Omega Protein Corporation Stock Skyrocketed

What happened

Shares of Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE: OME) were soaring today after it agreed to sell itself to the Cooke Inc for $22/share.

Canada-based Cooke said it had entered into an agreement to take over Omega Protein at the above price, which represents a 32.5% premium to Omega's closing price yesterday. Both boards of directors have unanimously approved the deal.

Omega Protein opened today's trading session at $21.95 and has been flat since then, representing a 32.4% jump as of 11:15 a.m. EDT.

So what

The stock's trading within pennies of the $22 acquisition price shows a high level of confidence among investors that the deal will go through as negotiated.

Omega Protein CEO Bret Scholtes said, "We are excited about the agreement, which we believe recognizes the value of Omega Protein's successful, 100-year-old fishing business and also provides stockholders with an immediate premium." He also called Cooke a perfect fit for Omega, noting that the buyer was in many ways similar to his company.

Now what

The deal is expected to close around the end of the year or early next year. Financing is being provided by BMO Capital Markets.

Even with today's surge, the stock is down 12% year to date as shares plunged in March after the company badly missed estimates. Still, the stock has been volatile throughout its history, and the sizable premium from Cooke seems to represent the best outcome for Omega Protein investors.

10 stocks we like better than Omega ProteinWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Omega Protein wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017

Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.