Beacon Roofing Supply on Tuesday adopted a poison pill defense to prevent a $11 billion hostile takeover by billionaire entrepreneur Brad Jacobs through his company QXO. The defense strategy creates a roadblock for Jacobs' attempt to become a big player in building products distribution through QXO,

QXO Inc. has launched a hostile takeover bid for Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. after the board of the building products company rejected its offer as too low.

M&A specialists are eyeing a robust list of U.S. takeover candidates, with a buoyant economy, strong buyer appetite and a potentially looser regulatory regime seen driving more deals.

Beacon Roofing Supply said on Tuesday it has adopted a limited duration stockholder rights agreement, commonly known as a poison pill, following a hostile takeover bid by QXO. Beacon is issuing one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of its common stock to stockholders,

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has started soliciting interest from potential buyers as it looks to fend off an $11 billion takeover bid from rival QXO Inc., people familiar with the matter said.

Meanwhile, QXO maintains that its offer of $124.25 per share is 17% higher than the Beacon stock has ever traded; represents a 37% premium over the 90-day unaffected stock price; and represents a 26% premium to the stock the day before the Wall Street Journal’s Nov. 18 report that QXO was pursuing a deal.