Takeover talk gives Dow a big boost; Stock rises nearly 5% on British report

Shares of Dow Chemical Co. rose 4.86 percent Monday after aBritish newspaper reported a group of Middle Eastern investors andU.S. buyout firms was preparing a bid for the huge chemicals andplastics maker.

Over the weekend, the Sunday Express, a British tabloid, reportedthat the group has secured financing for a $50 billion bid for theMidland, Mich.-based chemicals company.

The Express reported the investment team, which includes privateequity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., is preparing a bid of $52to $58 per share. At the low end, that would be a 17 percent premiumover Dow Chemical's closing stock price of $44.47 on Thursday on theNew York …