British American Tobacco and Reynolds American Inc shareholders approved BAT’s acquisition of the 57.8 per cent of RAI that it does not already own, the companies said.

BAT and RAI shareholders approved the deal by comfortable margins at separate special meetings, the companies said. The deal valued near USD 50 billion (EUR 43 billion) when it was struck in January will create the world's largest listed tobacco company when it is concluded on or about 25 July. BAT will return to the US market after a 12-year absence.
RAI shareholders will receive USD 29.44 and 0.5260 in new BAT stock for each RAI share. In its prospectus, BAT said share price changes and the sterling-dollar exchange rate as of 12 June had raised the value of the deal to USD 54.5 billion. RAI shareholders will own nearly 20 per cent of the merged company.