Shares of Australia's largest listed grain trader GrainCorp Ltd. surged on Monday as it confirmed it had received a formal non-binding takeover bid from US giant Archer Daniel Midlands Co. (ADM).

The market got elated when Graincorp announced in a statement that ADM had submitted an $11.75 per share, prompting stocks to leap 41 per cent to A$12.51 per share after a trading halt that was effected last Friday morning was lifted at 11am AEDT on Monday. Before's Friday's trading halt, Graincorp's shares were at A$8.85 per share.

ADM's all-cash offer values Graincorp at $2.68 billion.

But "the offer price isn't high enough," RBS Morgans Ltd. analyst Belinda Moore said in Bloomberg News. "GrainCorp is now clearly in play and a bidding war could emerge. We wouldn't rule out another party bidding for the company given the scale and strategic nature of its assets."

"The GrainCorp board is reviewing the proposal and has not yet formed a view on its merits and will keep the market informed of any material developments," Graincorp said in a statement.

The Australian noted Graincorp wanted an offer of at least $14 per share.

ADM's formal non-binding takeover bid comes three days after it purchased a 10 per cent controlling stake.

"The market is clearly speculating the offer won't be successful as it is. There is hope for rival offers or a higher price to seal the deal. It is very early days," Paul Xiradis said in Reuters News.

"Given the strategic value of the GrainCorp assets and this is the last remaining grain company in public ownership, we believe there could be other interested parties such as other grain-related companies or an Asian buyer," Deutsche Bank analyst Mark Wilson said in Reuters News.

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Australia's GrainCorp Up for Possible Takeover by US Giant ADM