AstraZeneca said on Thursday it had agreed to purchase Actavis' branded respiratory drug business in the United States and Canada for an initial payment of $600 million as it seeks external deals to ensure growth. The announcement came as Britain's second-biggest drugmaker posted fourth-quarter results that fell short of expectations and said 2015 sales revenue was expected to decline by a mid single-digit percentage rate at constant exchange rates.Core earnings per share, however, are forecast to increase by a low single-digit percent this year.The British group, which saw off a $118 billion bid by Pfizer last year, said its sales in the fourth quarter fell 2 percent to $6.68 billion, generating core earnings down 38 percent at 76 cents a share.Industry analysts had on average forecast sales in the quarter of $6.79 billion and earnings of 82 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 0.86% or $0.34/share to $39.83. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.21 and as high as $41.44. On average, 750395 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 781626.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI traded higher by 2.21% or $1.08/share to $50.01. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $36.86 and as high as $50.28. On average, 727340 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 729827.
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