The deal-making frenzy sweeping through the healthcare industry should continue apace in 2014, as companies look to stock up new drug pipelines, bolster existing businesses and diversify into new areas, Moody's Investors Service said on Tuesday. Deals totalling more than $153 billion have been struck in the sector so far this year, the highest year-to-date level since Thomson Reuters began tracking such data.Credit ratings agency Moody's said acquisition activity should remain high as makers of branded drugs look to purchase companies with complementary or high-potential pipelines, while generic drugmakers seek to build scale and diversify.A complimentary trend is divestment, as drugmakers shake up their portfolios to weed out or beef up businesses that lack critical mass, Moody's said.This was the driving factor behind a series of transactions announced by Novartis AG for instance. The Swiss drugmaker agreed to trade more than $20 billion worth of assets with GlaxoSmithKline Plc, with Novartis aiming to boost its cancer business while GSK sought to bolster its position in vaccines.
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is global healthcare group, which is engaged in the creation and discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and health-related consumer products. Shares of GSK remained unchanged at $56.01. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $48.30 and as high as $56.73. On average, 2489540 shares of GSK exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 223.
Novartis AG provides healthcare solutions. The Company is a multinational group of companies specializing in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a range of healthcare products led by pharmaceuticals. Shares of NVS remained unchanged at $85.36. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $67.67 and as high as $86.97. On average, 1887710 shares of NVS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1000.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters), is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI remained unchanged at $34.65. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $31.38 and as high as $38.73. On average, 836660 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters), is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.1% or $0.04/share to $38.21. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.02 and as high as $42.10. On average, 964052 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 521537.
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