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Thursday, October 29, 2015

Pfizer said to be in talks with Allergan to forge $330 billion drugs giant, (NYSE: AZN), (NYSE: JNJ), (NYSE: PFE)

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc has held early talks with Botox-maker Allergan Plc to discuss what could be the biggest takeover deal this year, the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times reported.The healthcare sector has seen an unprecedented wave of deals since early 2014, from large drugmakers buying up smaller rivals, to consolidation among makers of generic medicines and tie-ups between insurers.A bid for Allergan, which has a market value of $113 billion, would be Pfizer's second recent attempt to acquire a big rival, following its unsuccessful courtship last year of Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals group AstraZeneca Plc.Combining Allergan and Pfizer, which is worth $219 billion, would create the world's largest healthcare group with a market value of around $330 billion, ahead of Johnson & Johnson on $278 billion.

AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) is a global biopharmaceutical company. Shares of AZN traded higher by 2.42% or $0.76/share to $32.12. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $29.50 and as high as $37.97. On average, 2444170 shares of AZN exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 2346616.

Johnson & Johnson is a holding company. The Company is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and sale of a range of products in the health care field. Shares of JNJ traded higher by 0.29% or $0.29/share to $100.48. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $81.79 and as high as $109.49. On average, 9086490 shares of JNJ exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7256317.

Pfizer Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company. Shares of PFE traded higher by 1.31% or $0.46/share to $35.45. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $28.47 and as high as $36.46. On average, 27241000 shares of PFE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 34865831.



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