INTERNATIONAL

Nestle Bids for Perrier: Nestle of Switzerland and France’s Cie. de Suez launched a $2.45-billion bid for Source Perrier, France’s largest and best-known mineral water company. The bid sets up a battle with Italy’s Agnelli family, which late last year launched a $1.06-billion bid for control of Perrier’s biggest shareholder, Exor. Nestle and Suez executives said they were seeking court action to suspend or freeze voting rights for certain Perrier shares in order to maximize chances for success of their takeover bid.