text: The boards of both companies unanimously approved the merger, announced Monday. The transaction is valued at $74.50 a share, a nearly 23% premium over Family Dollar's closing price Friday. Family Dollar shareholders will receive $59.60 in cash and $14.90 in equivalent Dollar Tree shares.
  Belus Capital Advisors CEO Brian Sozzi says the deal also means more competition for discount king Walmart, which has been expanding into rural and urban markets with smaller format stores. Walmart shares are down 0.62% to $75.50 in Monday morning trading.
  Shares of Family Dollar, based in Charlotte, N.C., spiked more than 22% to $74.15 in early trading. Shares of Dollar Tree, based in Chesapeake, Va., are up more than 5% to $57.46.