Hochtief aims to lift Leighton stake to 74 pct for $1 bln

SYDNEY, March 10 (Reuters) - Germany's Hochtief AG HOTG.DE said it is seeking to boost its majority stake in Australia's biggest building company Leighton Holdings Ltd to 74 percent, a deal that would be valued at A$1.155 billion ($1.05 billion).

Hochtief, which owns 58.77 percent of Leighton, also said it intends to increase its representation on Leighton's board.

It plans to make a conditional off-market offer to acquire 3 out of 8 shares not owned by Hochtief for A$22.15 cash per share, the company said in a statement.

Leighton's shares last closed at A$20.72.

($1 = 1.1016 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Maggie Lu Yueyang; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

((maggie.luyueyang@thomsonreuters.com)(+61 2 93731819)(Reuters Messaging: maggie.luyueyang.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA LEIGHTON/HOCHTIEF AG