LONDON (AP) — Brazilian steelmaker CSN raised the stakes in the takeover war for Britain's Corus Group Plc yesterday, making a $4.9 billion ($9.6 billion) bid that topped a sweetened offer by Tata Steel of India.Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA's offer of 515 pence ($10.00) per share was accepted by Corus' board, the companies said.

Corus earlier had agreed to an offer of 500 pence ($9.78) per share from Tata Steel, which had raised its original bid of 455 pence ($8.90) per share in hopes of closing out a rival bid.

Shares in Corus, the world's eighth-largest steel producer, jumped 5.5 percent to 527.25 pence ($10.29) on the prospect of an accelerating bidding war as Tata said it was considering its position.

Corus stock has soared more than 80 percent this year on takeover speculation. A takeover by either company would create the world's fifth-largest steel company.

The fight for Corus extends consolidation in the steel industry following the acquisition of Arcelor SA by Lakshmi Mittal's Mittal Steel Co. to create a global powerhouse with output of more than 110 million metric tons of steel a year. (A metric ton is equal to 2,204.62 pounds).