tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59996067884992942852024-03-14T04:07:56.862-04:00Takeover ChatterReports the latest in takeover news concerning any company around the globe.Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comBlogger37205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-53825234533634567552015-11-12T13:16:00.001-05:002015-11-12T13:16:10.928-05:00TomTom winning streak continues with Uber deal, (NYSE: MS)Dutch navigation company TomTom announced on Thursday a multi-year contract to provide Uber with digital maps and traffic data for the software used by its drivers.It is the latest in a series of deals for the Dutch company, which also signed agreements this year to provide maps for Volkswagen and renew a contract to supply maps for Apple's built-in iPhone navigation app.TomTom CEO Harold Goddijn said Uber had chosen the Dutch company because the ride-hailing app company wanted to have "total control" over its own products. "What they (Uber) get from us is total control of their application," Goddijn said at the Morgan Stanley TMT conference in Barcelona. Financial terms of the Uber deal were not disclosed.<BR><BR> Morgan Stanley is a financial holding company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, the Company provides a variety of products and financial services to a group of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS fell by 1.17% or $-0.41/share to $34.61. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $30.15 and as high as $41.04. On average, 13780300 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3982338.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/tomtom-uber-idUSL8N1371VQ20151112?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-41965992773786824982015-11-11T22:33:00.001-05:002015-11-11T22:33:42.124-05:00Kroger to purchase Roundy's to expand in Midwest, (NYSE: KR), (NYSE: RNDY)Supermarket operator Kroger Co said it would purchase smaller chain Roundy's Inc for $800 million including debt to expand in Wisconsin and the Chicago area.The $3.60 per share cash offer represents a 65 percent premium to Roundy's Tuesday close of $2.18.The deal has an equity value of $177.8 million, based on Roundy's outstanding shares as of Aug. 3. Milwaukee-based Roundy's operates supermarkets under the Pick 'n Save, Copps and Metro Market and Mariano's banners, primarily in the upper Midwest.<BR><BR> The Kroger Co. (Kroger) operates retail food and drug stores, multi-department stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States. Shares of KR fell by 0.64% or $-0.24/share to $37.03. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $27.32 and as high as $39.43. On average, 7697290 shares of KR exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7538514.<br /><br /> Roundy's, Inc. is a Midwest supermarket chain. The Company offers a range of products, stocking around 45,000 different items. Shares of RNDY traded higher by 63.76% or $1.39/share to $3.57. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $2.03 and as high as $6.12. On average, 489408 shares of RNDY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 14836210.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/roundys-ma-kroger-idUSL3N1364B820151112?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-74762714835960166892015-11-11T14:28:00.001-05:002015-11-11T14:28:08.295-05:00STMicro has no plans for M&A until growth revives -CEO, (NYSE: MS)Europe's largest chipmaker STMicroelectronics reiterated on Wednesday that mergers and acquisitions were not a priority for now as its focuses on boosting sales and restructuring its digital products division. Speaking at the annual Morgan Stanley TMT conference in Barcelona, Spain, ST Chief Executive Carlo Bozotti said he could not rule out M&A becoming important for ST in the future, but it is "not on the table today"."Our priority is No. 1: growth, and No. 2: resolve the problem in our digital products group," Bozotti said.The Franco-Italian chipmaker has refrained from taking part in a global consolidation wave in the semiconductor industry over the past year that continues at a breathless pace.<BR><BR> Morgan Stanley is a financial holding company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, the Company provides a variety of products and financial services to a group of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS fell by 0.54% or $-0.19/share to $35.05. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $30.15 and as high as $41.04. On average, 13830300 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 4717104.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/11/tmt-conference-stmicroelectron-idUSL8N13635I20151111?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-89603342869160461692015-11-09T04:59:00.001-05:002015-11-09T04:59:18.629-05:00HSBC hopes to leapfrog rivals with new China partnership, (NYSE: MS), (NYSE: TRI), (TSE: TRI.TO)HSBC is seeking to overtake Western rivals in the race for a slice of China's $4 trillion onshore bond market thanks to an investment banking partnership with a state-owned investor it announced last week.Europe's biggest bank is late among foreign banks to the party in China's onshore investment banking market, where rivals like Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs established joint ventures with local players years ago.But foreign banks have made limited inroads in China because of the restrictive licences handed out to the early entrants. Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities, the top foreign player in China's onshore bond market this year, ranked 29th by proceeds raised, just ahead of UBS, according to Thomson Reuters data.The move is not without risk in a slowing economy with a heavily indebted corporate sector, but HSBC, which is exploiting new rules that favour Hong Kong-funded lenders, will have an extensive licence and will not be bound by the 49-percent ownership cap normally imposed on foreigners.<BR><BR> Morgan Stanley is a financial holding company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, the Company provides a variety of products and financial services to a group of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS traded higher by 4.52% or $1.53/share to $35.41. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $30.15 and as high as $41.04. On average, 13768600 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 19355167.<br /><br /> Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI fell by 1.23% or $-0.5/share to $40.14. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $36.49 and as high as $42.64. On average, 983432 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 696959.<br /><br /> Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI fell by 0.26% or $-0.14/share to $53.35. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $42.51 and as high as $55.92. On average, 938745 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 624041.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/09/hsbc-china-idUSL3N12Y17Q20151109?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-6532750982372481082015-11-08T15:59:00.001-05:002015-11-08T15:59:21.380-05:00RPT-Brookfield ups ante on $6.5 billion approach for Australia's Asciano, (NYSE: BAM)Canada's Brookfield Asset Management shelved a $6.5 billion takeover agreement with Australian port and rail giant Asciano and said it will launch a formal takeover offer instead, threatening a rival proposal and raising the antitrust regulator's role in deciding the outcome. Since Brookfield and Asciano agreed to a buyout in August, local port competitor Qube Holdings Ltd has bought one-fifth of the target and vowed to oppose a Brookfield takeover in favour of its own proposal to split the target's assets between itself and global investment partners.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also suggested it might stop Brookfield buying Asciano since the Canadian suitor already owns some of the railways Asciano's trains run on. It will make a final ruling on Dec. 17.But on Friday, Brookfield fought back by buying its own one-fifth stake in Asciano. And in a subtle but significant change, it said it would delay the agreed buyout and launch a formal takeover instead, meaning it needs only 50.1 percent shareholder approval, rather than 75 percent.<BR><BR> Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) is a global alternative asset manager. Shares of BAM fell by 0.86% or $-0.3/share to $34.44. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $29.83 and as high as $39.00. On average, 1505830 shares of BAM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 863608.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/08/asciano-ma-brookfield-asset-idUSL3N1330H420151108?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-59464937707518913022015-11-06T18:22:00.001-05:002015-11-06T18:22:38.183-05:00Berkshire profit doubles to record on Kraft Heinz, (NYSE: BRK-A), (NYSE: BRK-B), (NYSE: TRI), (TSE: TRI.TO)Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc said quarterly profit doubled to a record high, reflecting a large gain on its stake in Kraft Heinz Co, while operating profit declined on weaker results from insurance underwriting.Third-quarter net income rose to $9.43 billion, or $5,737 per Class A share, from $4.62 billion, or $2,811, a year earlier.Operating profit fell 4 percent to $4.55 billion, or $2,769 per share, from $4.72 billion, or $2,876.Analysts on average expected operating profit of $2,720.60 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.<BR><BR> Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in various business activities. Shares of BRK-A fell by 0.78% or $-1594.0/share to $203100.00. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $190007.00 and as high as $229374.00. On average, 302 shares of BRK-A exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 520.<br /><br /> Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in various business activities. Shares of BRK-B fell by 0.18% or $-0.24/share to $136.33. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $125.50 and as high as $152.94. On average, 4208670 shares of BRK-B exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3730980.<br /><br /> Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI fell by 1.23% or $-0.5/share to $40.14. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $36.49 and as high as $42.64. On average, 987100 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 696959.<br /><br /> Thomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI fell by 0.26% or $-0.14/share to $53.35. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $42.51 and as high as $55.92. On average, 938989 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 624041.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/06/berkshire-hatha-results-idUSL1N1312RA20151106?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-85348004347390703262015-11-06T00:54:00.001-05:002015-11-06T00:54:56.264-05:00Brookfield ups ante on $6.5 billion approach for Australia's Asciano, (NYSE: BAM)Canada's Brookfield Asset Management shelved a $6.5 billion takeover agreement with Australian port and rail giant Asciano and said it will launch a formal takeover offer instead, threatening a rival proposal and raising the antitrust regulator's role in deciding the outcome.Since Brookfield and Asciano agreed to a buyout in August, local port competitor Qube Holdings Ltd has bought one-fifth of the target and vowed to oppose a Brookfield takeover in favour of its own proposal to split the target's assets between itself and global investment partners. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also suggested it might stop Brookfield buying Asciano since the Canadian suitor already owns some of the railways Asciano's trains run on. It will make a final ruling on Dec. 17.But on Friday, Brookfield fought back by buying its own one-fifth stake in Asciano. And in a subtle but significant change, it said it would delay the agreed buyout and launch a formal takeover instead, meaning it needs only 50.1 percent shareholder approval, rather than 75 percent.<BR><BR> Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) is a global alternative asset manager. Shares of BAM remained unchanged at $34.74. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $29.83 and as high as $39.00. On average, 1511380 shares of BAM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 843280.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/06/asciano-ma-brookfield-asset-idUSL3N1306JE20151106?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-47938021788900428052015-11-05T06:53:00.001-05:002015-11-05T06:53:50.863-05:00Sanofi, Hanmi seal diabetes licence deal for up to $4.2 bln, (NYSE: SNY)Sanofi has signed a licence deal with Hanmi Pharmaceutical to develop experimental, long-acting diabetes treatments, the French drugmaker said on Thursday, in a move to revive its diabetes division.South Korea-based Hanmi will receive an upfront payment of 400 million euros ($434 million) and is eligible for up to 3.5 billion euros in development, registration and sales milestones, as well as double-digit royalties on net sales. In return Sanofi will get an exclusive worldwide licence to develop and commercialise Hanmi's so-called GLP-1 diabetes treatments. Hanmi will retain an exclusive option to co-commercialise the products in Korea and China.The deal marks a sizeable bet by Sanofi on a new technology at a time when its all-important diabetes business is struggling.<BR><BR> Sanofi is a healthcare company focused on patient needs and engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of healthcare products. Shares of SNY fell by 0.08% or $-0.04/share to $50.14. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $43.57 and as high as $54.98. On average, 1290780 shares of SNY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 827228.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/05/sanofi-hanmi-diabetes-idUSL8N1303GH20151105?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-33904973318417883802015-11-03T10:18:00.001-05:002015-11-03T10:18:13.743-05:00Activision Blizzard buys 'Candy Crush' maker for $5.9 billion in mobile push, (NASDAQ: ATVI)Video game maker Activision Blizzard will purchase "Candy Crush Saga" creator King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 billion, as the heavyweight of console and PC-gaming makes a major push into the faster-growing mobile market.The deal is one of the biggest in the industry in recent years, more than twice the size of Microsoft Inc's $2.5 billion purchase of "Minecraft" maker Mojang last year, and the biggest-ever acquisition of a mobile gaming company.The failure of Dublin-based King to replicate the success of Candy Crush with follow-up titles such as "Farm Heroes" and "Pet Rescue" has led some investors to think it may be a one-hit wonder.But Activision, whose shares were down 0.5 percent at $34.43 in early trading, is betting that its experience in sustaining long-running blockbuster franchises like "Call of Duty" and "World of Warcraft" can help it develop new hit series.<BR><BR> Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a developer and publisher of online, personal computer (PC), video game console, handheld, mobile and tablet games. Shares of ATVI fell by 0.84% or $-0.29/share to $34.28. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $18.43 and as high as $35.44. On average, 10138000 shares of ATVI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 9314685.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/03/king-digital-ma-activision-idUSL3N12Y1HB20151103?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-27236698425604610422015-11-03T02:15:00.001-05:002015-11-03T02:15:58.815-05:00Activision Blizzard to purchase "Candy Crush" maker King for $5.9 bln, (NASDAQ: ATVI)Video game maker Activision Blizzard Inc said it will purchase "Candy Crush Saga" creator King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 billion to strengthen its mobile games portfolio.ABS Partners CV, a unit of Activision Blizzard, will acquire King shares for $18 each in cash, representing a premium of 16 percent to King's closing price on Monday.The addition of King's mobile games will position Activision as a global leader in interactive entertainment across mobile, console and PC platforms, Activision said in a statement. Video game publishers are shifting to the lucrative digital business from physical sales of games as consumers shift from consoles to playing on smartphones and tablets.<BR><BR> Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a developer and publisher of online, personal computer (PC), video game console, handheld, mobile and tablet games. Shares of ATVI fell by 0.55% or $-0.19/share to $34.57. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $18.43 and as high as $35.44. On average, 10138000 shares of ATVI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7385270.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/03/king-digital-ma-activision-idUSL3N12Y1HB20151103?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-12105202258685538772015-11-02T15:40:00.001-05:002015-11-02T15:40:58.019-05:00Web company Endurance in $1.1 billion deal for Constant Contact, shares dip, (NASDAQ: CTCT), (NASDAQ: EIGI)Endurance International Group Holdings Inc said it would purchase email marketer Constant Contact Inc in a $1.1 billion deal on Monday that surprised investors and sent shares lower by 20 percent.Endurance International's Chief Executive Hari Ravichandran said in an interview that buying Constant Contact is a sound investment that will give the company access to 500,000 new customers."I think the market will start to understand it a little bit better, but there's definitely a knee-jerk reaction. The unknown always causes anxiety to public investors," he said. The deal, which is Endurance's largest to date, will add Constant Contact's online marketing tools such as email marketing, events management and social media integration to Endurance's portfolio of Web-hosting software for small and medium-sized businesses.<BR><BR> Constant Contact, Inc. (Constant Contact) is a provider of online marketing tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations and non-profits. Shares of CTCT traded higher by 22.15% or $5.78/share to $31.88. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $22.75 and as high as $43.18. On average, 327768 shares of CTCT exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 5097923.<br /><br /> Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. (Endurance) is a provider of cloud-based platform solutions designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) succeed online. Shares of EIGI fell by 17.4% or $-2.32/share to $11.01. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $10.29 and as high as $23.49. On average, 743175 shares of EIGI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 6030795.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/constant-contact-ma-endurance-intl-idUSL3N12X4D720151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-49855546276733407392015-11-02T14:12:00.001-05:002015-11-02T14:12:39.030-05:00Visa to purchase Visa Europe in deal worth as much as $23 bln, (NYSE: V)Visa Inc said on Monday it would purchase former subsidiary Visa Europe Ltd for up to $23.3 billion in a deal that will give the world's largest payments network a chance to cut costs over the long term and raise fees in the second-biggest card market.The price for the long-anticipated deal was higher than many had expected, but ended a period of strategic uncertainty that had dogged Visa in recent months.Visa Inc and Visa Europe, a cooperative of European banks with more than 500 million cards, were part of a global bank-owned network until 2007.Most of the units merged to form Visa Inc, which went public in 2008, leaving Visa Europe as a separate entity.<BR><BR> Visa Inc. is a payments technology company. The Company is engaged in operating a processing network, VisaNet, which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions across the world. Shares of V fell by 3.43% or $-2.66/share to $74.92. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $59.75 and as high as $78.89. On average, 8703160 shares of V exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 20856202.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/visaeurope-ma-visa-idUSL3N12X40520151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-6371324260862871332015-11-02T14:11:00.001-05:002015-11-02T14:11:36.565-05:00RPT-Visa to purchase Visa Europe in deal worth as much as $23 bln, (NYSE: V)Visa Inc said on Monday it would purchase former subsidiary Visa Europe Ltd for up to $23.3 billion in a deal that will give the world's largest payments network a chance to cut costs over the long term and raise fees in the second-biggest card market.The price for the long-anticipated deal was higher than many had expected, but ended a period of strategic uncertainty that had dogged Visa in recent months.Visa Inc and Visa Europe, a cooperative of European banks with more than 500 million cards, were part of a global bank-owned network until 2007.Most of the units merged to form Visa Inc, which went public in 2008, leaving Visa Europe as a separate entity.<BR><BR> Visa Inc. is a payments technology company. The Company is engaged in operating a processing network, VisaNet, which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions across the world. Shares of V fell by 3.43% or $-2.66/share to $74.92. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $59.75 and as high as $78.89. On average, 8703160 shares of V exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 20779966.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/visaeurope-ma-visa-idUSL3N12X5HF20151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-74028781189832216282015-11-02T12:22:00.001-05:002015-11-02T12:22:19.199-05:00ConAgra to sell private brands unit to TreeHouse for $2.7 bln, (NYSE: CAG), (NYSE: THS)ConAgra Foods Inc said it would sell its private-label unit to TreeHouse Foods Inc for $2.7 billion, after struggling to turn around the business it acquired just two years ago.ConAgra's shares were up 1.7 percent at $41.24 in morning trading on Monday after jumping as much as 13 percent before the market opened. TreeHouse fell 5.6 percent to $80.85. "Given how long the process seemed to take and that (TreeHouse) in the end perhaps was the sole negotiating partner, we are slightly relieved for (ConAgra's) sake that the (selling price) was not lower," JPMorgan analyst Ken Goldman said in a note.ConAgra, the maker of Slim Jim beef jerky and Chef Boyardee pasta, became the biggest U.S. manufacturer of private-label foods after it bought Ralcorp for $5.1 billion in 2013.<BR><BR> ConAgra Foods, Inc. operates as a packaged food company. Shares of CAG traded higher by 1.2821% or $0.5199/share to $41.07. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.45 and as high as $45.49. On average, 3393510 shares of CAG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1187146.<br /><br /> TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a consumer packaged food and beverage manufacturing company. Shares of THS fell by 5.24% or $-4.49/share to $81.15. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $69.01 and as high as $92.92. On average, 477352 shares of THS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 2027600.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/conagra-foods-divestiture-treehouse-idUSL3N12X49B20151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-5045161067581480132015-11-02T12:21:00.001-05:002015-11-02T12:21:15.911-05:00Visa to purchase Visa Europe in deal worth as much as $23 bln, (NYSE: V)Visa Inc said on Monday it would purchase former subsidiary Visa Europe Ltd in a deal valued at up to 21.2 billion euros ($23.34 billion), putting the company in a stronger position to compete with MasterCard Inc in Europe.Visa Inc and Visa Europe, a cooperative of European banks with more than 500 million cards, were part of a global bank-owned network until 2007.Most of the units merged to form Visa Inc, which went public in 2008, leaving Visa Europe as a separate entity. Visa, the world's largest credit and debit card company, said it would pay 16.5 billion euros up front, with potential for an additional payment of up to 4.7 billion euros based on revenue targets four years after the close of the deal.<BR><BR> Visa Inc. is a payments technology company. The Company is engaged in operating a processing network, VisaNet, which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions across the world. Shares of V fell by 3.1243% or $-2.4238/share to $75.16. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $59.75 and as high as $78.89. On average, 8703160 shares of V exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 15590766.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/visaeurope-ma-visa-idUSL3N12X40520151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-765119629055026032015-11-02T09:52:00.000-05:002015-11-02T09:53:00.358-05:00Web company Endurance to purchase Constant Contact in $1.1 billion deal, (NASDAQ: CTCT), (NASDAQ: EIGI)Endurance International Group Holdings Inc said on Monday it would purchase online marketer Constant Contact Inc in deal valued at about $1.1 billion to expand beyond its traditional Web-hosting business.The deal will add Constant Contact's online marketing tools such as email marketing, events management and social media integration to Endurance's portfolio of Web-hosting software for small and medium-sized businesses. Endurance, whose brands include BigRock, HostGator and FatCow.com, already has an agreement to provide Constant Contact's email marketing tools to its subscribers.Constant Contact was founded as "Roving Software" in 1995 in an attic in Brookline, Massachusetts. Its shares tanked in April after it reported dismal subscriber additions.<BR><BR> Constant Contact, Inc. (Constant Contact) is a provider of online marketing tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations and non-profits. Shares of CTCT traded higher by 21.69% or $5.66/share to $31.76. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $22.75 and as high as $43.18. On average, 327768 shares of CTCT exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 425205.<br /><br /> Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. (Endurance) is a provider of cloud-based platform solutions designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) succeed online. Shares of EIGI fell by 13.691% or $-1.825/share to $11.50. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $11.44 and as high as $23.49. On average, 743175 shares of EIGI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 818213.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/constant-contact-ma-endurance-intl-idUSL3N12X4D720151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-90677844972443487102015-11-02T09:03:00.001-05:002015-11-02T09:03:49.540-05:00ConAgra to sell private brands unit to TreeHouse for $2.7 bln, (NYSE: CAG), (NYSE: THS)ConAgra Foods Inc said it would sell its private-label foods unit to TreeHouse Foods Inc for $2.7 billion, after struggling to turn around the business it acquired just two years ago.ConAgra's shares jumped as much as 13 percent to $45.86 in premarket trading on Monday. TreeHouse shares were little changed. ConAgra, the maker of Slim Jim beef jerky and Chef Boyardee pasta, became the biggest maker of private label foods in the United States after it bought Ralcorp for $5.1 billion in 2013.But the business has since been plagued by integration costs and customer service issues as well as low profit margins due to cut-price deals Ralcorp had entered into before it was acquired.<BR><BR> ConAgra Foods, Inc. operates as a packaged food company. Shares of CAG remained unchanged at $40.55. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $33.45 and as high as $45.49. On average, 3393510 shares of CAG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.<br /><br /> TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is a consumer packaged food and beverage manufacturing company. Shares of THS remained unchanged at $85.64. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $69.01 and as high as $92.92. On average, 477352 shares of THS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/conagra-foods-divestiture-treehouse-idUSL3N12X49B20151102?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-9693308850974835492015-10-30T13:59:00.001-04:002015-10-30T13:59:46.930-04:00RPT-KeyCorp to purchase First Niagara to create 13th biggest U.S. bank, (NASDAQ: FNFG), (NYSE: KEY)Cleveland-based KeyCorp has agreed to purchase First Niagara Financial Group Inc of Buffalo for $4.1 billion in the biggest deal this year between two U.S. regional banks.The deal will create the 13th biggest U.S.-based commercial bank and is the latest in a string of mergers among smaller U.S. banks, spurred by years of near-zero interest rates and higher costs related to stricter regulations imposed since the financial crisis. KeyCorp offered the equivalent of $11.40 per share for First Niagara - 0.68 of its own shares and $2.30 in cash, a premium of 9.8 percent to First Niagara's closing price on Thursday.First Niagara's stock was trading nearly flat at $10.40 on Friday, while KeyCorp was down 6.7 percent at $12.49.<BR><BR> First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. is a bank holding company. Shares of FNFG traded higher by 0.39% or $0.04/share to $10.42. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $7.21 and as high as $11.22. On average, 3155600 shares of FNFG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 47384303.<br /><br /> KeyCorp is a bank holding company. The Bank operates through its subsidiary, KeyBank National Association, which is engaged in providing banking services. Shares of KEY fell by 6.5% or $-0.87/share to $12.51. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $12.04 and as high as $15.70. On average, 10529500 shares of KEY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 53783298.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/first-niagara-fi-ma-keycorp-idUSL3N12U64420151030?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-87835574667175104692015-10-30T11:22:00.001-04:002015-10-30T11:22:27.647-04:00CORRECTED-KeyCorp to purchase First Niagara to create 13th biggest U.S. bank, (NASDAQ: FNFG), (NYSE: KEY)Cleveland-based KeyCorp has agreed to purchase First Niagara Financial Group Inc of Buffalo for $4.1 billion in the biggest deal this year between two U.S. regional banks.The deal announced on Friday, which will create the 13th biggest U.S.-based commercial bank, is the latest in a string of mergers among smaller U.S. banks spurred by years of historically low interest rates and higher costs related to stricter regulations imposed since the financial crisis. KeyCorp offered the equivalent of $11.40 per share for First Niagara - 0.68 of its own shares and $2.30 in cash, a premium of 9.8 percent to First Niagara's closing price on Thursday.First Niagara's stock was trading at $10.68 before the bell on Friday, while KeyCorp was down 3.2 percent at $12.95.<BR><BR> First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. is a bank holding company. Shares of FNFG traded higher by 0.58% or $0.06/share to $10.44. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $7.21 and as high as $11.22. On average, 3155600 shares of FNFG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 23371503.<br /><br /> KeyCorp is a bank holding company. The Bank operates through its subsidiary, KeyBank National Association, which is engaged in providing banking services. Shares of KEY fell by 5.942% or $-0.795/share to $12.58. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $12.04 and as high as $15.70. On average, 10529500 shares of KEY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 32751112.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/first-niagara-fi-ma-keycorp-idUSL3N12U4LE20151030?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-35375940919320249892015-10-30T09:27:00.001-04:002015-10-30T09:27:07.400-04:00Mylan profit beats as generic sales jump in N.America and Europe, (NASDAQ: MYL)Mylan NV, embroiled in an increasingly bitter takeover attempt for fellow drugmaker Perrigo Co Plc, posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as sales of its generic drugs increased in North America and Europe.Mylan also said it expected to achieve the high end of its profit forecast of $4.15-$4.35 per share for the year. The company, which has been pursuing Perrigo to boost its over-the-counter drug business and extend its geographic reach, did not comment on the hostile bid in its earnings statement.Dublin-based Mylan offered to purchase Perrigo in April in a cash-and-stock deal valued then at $29 billion.<BR><BR> Mylan N.V., formerly Mylan Inc., is a global pharmaceutical company, which develops, licenses, manufactures, markets and distributes generic, branded generic and specialty pharmaceuticals. Shares of MYL remained unchanged at $45.78. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $37.59 and as high as $76.69. On average, 8405500 shares of MYL exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 980.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/mylan-results-idUSL3N12U4SL20151030?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-75189144977722299362015-10-30T08:56:00.001-04:002015-10-30T08:56:01.817-04:00KeyCorp to purchase First Niagara to create 13th biggest U.S. bank, (NASDAQ: FNFG), (NYSE: KEY)Cleveland-based KeyCorp has agreed to purchase First Niagara Financial Group Inc of Buffalo for $4.1 billion in the biggest deal this year between two U.S. regional banks.The deal announced on Friday, which will create the 13th biggest U.S.-based commercial bank, is the latest in a string of mergers among smaller U.S. banks spurred by years of historically low interest rates and higher costs related to stricter regulations imposed since the financial crisis. KeyCorp offered the equivalent of $11.40 per share for First Niagara - 0.68 of its own shares and $2.30 in cash, a premium of 9.8 percent to First Niagara's closing price on Thursday.First Niagara's stock was trading at $10.68 before the bell on Friday, while KeyCorp was down 3.2 percent at $12.95.<BR><BR> First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. is a bank holding company. Shares of FNFG fell by 4.24% or $-0.46/share to $10.38. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $7.21 and as high as $11.22. On average, 3155600 shares of FNFG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 11781865.<br /><br /> KeyCorp is a bank holding company. The Bank operates through its subsidiary, KeyBank National Association, which is engaged in providing banking services. Shares of KEY fell by 3.74% or $-0.52/share to $13.38. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $12.04 and as high as $15.70. On average, 10529500 shares of KEY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 32376923.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/first-niagara-fi-ma-keycorp-idUSL3N12U4LE20151030?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-37740222772589239932015-10-29T18:55:00.001-04:002015-10-29T18:55:24.660-04:00Australia's Qube seeks to block Brookfield's bid for Asciano with stake, (NYSE: BAM)Australian logistics firm Qube Holdings Ltd said on Friday it and partners had bought a near 20 percent stake in freight firm Asciano Ltd, seeking to block a $6.5 billion bid from Canada's Brookfield Asset Management.Confirming a Reuters report on Thursday, Qube said it had picked up a 19.99 percent stake, acting with Global Infrastructure Partners and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Qube said it wanted to combine its logistics business with Asciano's Patrick Containers Terminal business, while GIP and CPPIB were interested in Asciano's Pacific National rail business."Qube believes that any transaction resulting in the combination of Qube with the Patrick Businesses, if it were to eventuate, would be highly accretive to Qube shareholders in the medium term," Qube said in a statement to the ASX.<BR><BR> Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) is a global alternative asset manager. Shares of BAM traded higher by 0.4% or $0.14/share to $35.41. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $29.83 and as high as $39.00. On average, 1563680 shares of BAM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1093630.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/australia-freight-ma-qube-holdings-idUSL3N12T6MB20151029?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-15539089766150179612015-10-29T13:38:00.001-04:002015-10-29T13:38:26.753-04:00MGM Resorts to form REIT with 10 properties, (NYSE: MGM)MGM Resorts International said it would form a publicly traded real estate investment trust comprising 10 properties, including the Mirage, a move that will simplify the company's structure and shift about $4 billion debt off its balance sheet.The company also reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by a rise in revenue from casino at its wholly owned U.S. resorts such as Bellagio and MGM Grand Las Vegas. MGM's shares rose as much as 7.5 percent to $23.40 on Thursday."We wanted to create a vehicle and a financing platform by which we could lower our cost to capital and raise funds for future growth opportunities," Chief Executive Jim Murren said on a conference call.<BR><BR> MGM Resorts International is a holding company. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company owns and operates casino resorts. Shares of MGM traded higher by 4.69% or $1.02/share to $22.78. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $16.84 and as high as $23.70. On average, 8164410 shares of MGM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 14396890.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/mgm-resorts-intl-divestiture-idUSL3N12T56Q20151029?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-11675225613082475282015-10-29T05:15:00.001-04:002015-10-29T05:15:04.654-04:00Pfizer 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.<BR><BR> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/allergan-ma-pfizer-idUSL1N12T02720151029?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999606788499294285.post-4387498459006850772015-10-28T19:09:00.001-04:002015-10-28T19:09:20.030-04:00Senators call for scrutiny of Walgreens-Rite Aid deal, (NYSE: CVS), (NYSE: RAD)Two influential U.S. senators called for close scrutiny of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc's plan to purchase Rite Aid Corp for $9.4 billion, a deal that would unite two of the three biggest U.S. drugstore chains.Walgreens Chief Executive Stefano Pessina said the company had analyzed the antitrust aspect of the deal but would not speculate on the number of drugstores it might need to divest in order to win regulatory approval.Walgreens ranks first and Rite Aid third by number of stores, either side of CVS Health Corp. The top two antitrust lawmakers in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday urged antitrust enforcers to give the plan careful scrutiny because of the importance of healthcare in the U.S. economy.<BR><BR> CVS Health Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is a pharmacy company. Shares of CVS fell by 1.41% or $-1.48/share to $103.81. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $81.37 and as high as $113.65. On average, 5046660 shares of CVS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 6465627.<br /><br /> Rite Aid Corporation is a retail drugstore chain. Shares of RAD fell by 7.04% or $-0.61/share to $8.06. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $5.01 and as high as $9.47. On average, 24873500 shares of RAD exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 242498394.<br /><br /><BR><BR><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/28/walgreens-boots-results-idUSL3N12S3VA20151028?feedType=RSS&feedName=mergersNews" TARGET="_blank"><font color=c0c0c0 size=2>Source</font></a> Eric Savoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287857555738219333noreply@blogger.com