NEW YORK (AP) -- Dow Chemical is scrambling to salvage a deal it had hoped would make riding out a recession a little easier.
The nation's largest chemical company must weigh taking on more debt than it wanted, entering intense negotiations to restructure a buyout of rival Rohm & Haas.
Rohm & Haas shares soared by the greatest amount in two monthstoday, signifying pressure on Dow to complete the deal.
Midland, Mich.-based Dow could lose money if it delays a decision.
The original buyout price of $78-per-share will rise each day that Dow fails to sign off on the deal after Jan. 10 under an agreement signed with the Philadelphia-based specialty chemicals maker.
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