Great Plains at $27.46 per share has a current market cap of $5.9 billion. Westar Energy has been trading around $57.30 per share, which makes its market cap $8.1 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in second quarter 2017. 26, 2016, the two companies announced that the shareholders of both companies voted to approve Great Plains Energy's acquisition of Westar Energy. Upon closing, Westar will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy. Westar shareholders will receive $60 per share - $51.00 in cash and $9.00 in Great Plains Energy common stock. Great Plains Energy ( GXP) plans to acquire Westar Energy for about $12.2 billion. And investors in the stock need to make some decisions. Westar stock is so popular in Kansas, it is held by Westar Energy employees and retirees, plus many Kansas investors who appreciate the dividends. Stock in Westar Energy ( NYSE: WR) has gained in value from $9.60 per share in 2002 to $57.30 per share today, plus paid quarterly dividends over that time period.
