Clariant and Ciba. What was the response to Huntsman?

Ciba, Clariant and the Markets have now had time to reflect and react to the interview with Peter Huntsman reported earlier this week by the Swiss Newspaper, Handelszeitung:

Ciba - Huntsman suggested that parts or all of its business could be of acquisition interest:
In a Thomson Financial report it is stated that Ciba does not plan any divestments in the near future as it has a focused business portfolio and is now looking for organic growth with no plans for any significant divestments. Huntsman has already bought Ciba's Textile business for CHF 332 mio. In a Bloomberg article it states that Ciba isn't attractive at its current price, and Huntsman would have to generate substantial cost savings to justify a purchase. Ciba has declined to comment.

Clariant - Huntsman suggested that parts or all of its business could be of acquisition interest:
Clariant is in the process of streamlining its business and an analyst at Helvea in Zurich stated it would not make 'industrial or financial' sense to sell parts of it now. Clariant says it has not been contacted by Huntsman.

View of the Markets - Details from the Bloomberg article are as follows: Shares in both companies surged following Huntsman's statements. Clariant rose 30 centimes, or 1.5 percent, to 20.4 Swiss francs, valuing the company at 4.7 billion francs ($3.8 billion). Ciba shares rose 1.55 francs, or 1.9 percent, to 81.5 francs, valuing the company at 5.63 billion francs. The view of the HVB Group in Munich is that Ciba and Clariant can be successful alone, but the markets will continue to play them as takeover candidates.

Where next? The Handelszeitung cited Huntsman as saying he would not make a hostile takeover and they had not been in contact with either Ciba or Clariant. Both companies continue to slash costs (and jobs) and only time will tell as to whether they become attractive investments.

Some additional info ............. see Yahoo and Reuters.