Murray Goulburn bows out of Warrnambool bid, triggers higher Saputo offer

SYDNEY, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Australia's Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co Ltd dropped its bid for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co Holdings Ltd WCB.AX on Thursday, announcing it planned to sell its 17.7 percent stake to rival bidder Saputo Inc SAP.TO .

Murray Goulburn's capitulation lifts Saputo's stake in Australia's oldest dairy firm to 75.4 percent, triggering a 20 cents rise in its offer price to A$9.40 per share or A$526 million ($465.96 million).

If Saputo reaches 90 percent acceptances, the offer will rise again to A$9.60 per share, or A$537 million.

Murray Goulburn's A$9.50 per share, or A$532 million, offer was conditional on both acceptances of 50 percent and regulatory approval that is not due until next month.

($1 = 1.1289 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Maggie Lu Yueyang; Editing by Michael Urquhart)

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

Keywords: AUSTRALIA SAPUTO/WARRNAMBOOL