Wickes Cos. said its board has adopted...

Wickes Cos. said its board has adopted a “temporary shareholder protection plan” under which shareholders would be given the right to buy stock at half price if 20% of Wickes’ stock is purchased in an offer for the Santa Monica company at less than the $12 a share that is being offered by management. The plan would also be triggered if anyone buys 20% of the stock as part of tender offer timed to close before Oct. 20.