It's time to suit up: Men's Wearhouse is buying Jos. A. Bank for $1.8 billion.
Men's Wearhouse will pay $65 per share, a 5% premium to Jos. A. Bank Clothiers's closing price Monday of $61.83.
The agreement ends a months-long back and forth that began in October when Jos. A. Bank offered to buy its larger rival for $2.3 billion. Men's Wearhouse scoffed at that offer, and turned the tables, offering to buy its rival for $1.54 billion.
By early March Men's Wearhouse had an offer of $63.50 per share on the table but said it may raise the bid to $65 per share if some conditions were met.
The combined company will be the fourth-biggest U.S. men's clothing retailer with more than 1,700 U.S. stores and about $3.5 billion in sales.
The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter.
