Want a robust quality drug pipeline? – Pay super premium!: Alexion to acquire Synageva in an $8.4bn deal

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.; market cap (as of 09/05/2015): $32.54bn Synageva Biopharma Corp.; market cap (as of 09/05/2015): $7.91bn   Introduction On May 6, 2015, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN), the manufacturer of the world’s single most expensive prescription drug Soliris, and Synageva BioPharma Corp. (NASDAQ:GEVA) have entered into a definitive agreement Read more…

Consolidation tales in the semiconductor industry: NXP buys Freescale

NXP Semiconductor NV; Market Cap (as of 06/03/15): $22.7bn Freescale Semiconductor Ltd; Market Cap (as of 06/03/15): $12.3bn Introduction On March 2, NXP Semi announced it will acquire Freescale Semi in a $11.8bn transaction. Amalgamating the Eindhoven-based chip manufacturer with its American rival will create the leader in both Auto Read more…

Iberdrola responds to Spanish austerity measures: UIL acquired in a $3bn deal

UIL Holdings Corp.; market cap (as of 27/02/15): US$2.86bn Iberdrola SA; market cap (as of 27/02/15): US$43.5bn   Introduction  On February 26, Iberdrola SA, Spain’s largest electricity company, agreed to buy UIL Holdings Corp. in a deal valued at about US$3bn in cash and shares. With the acquisition, Iberdrola plans Read more…

Valeant, the serial pharma dealmaker cuts again

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.; market cap (as of 26/02/2015): US$76.68bn Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.; market cap (as of 26/02/2015): US$10.07bn     Introduction The pharmaceutical industry has undergone an intense period of consolidation in the past 18 months which is far from over as the big players take advantage of the Read more…

M&A activity back in the Insurance sector: Aviva to acquire Friends Life

Aviva plc; market cap (as of 27/11/2014 ): £14.96bn Friends Life Group; market cap (as of 27/11/2014): £5.21bn Introduction On November 24, Aviva plc, a multinational insurance company headquartered in London, reached a preliminary agreement to acquire its British rival Friends Life Group, the 5th largest life and pensions company Read more…

Oil Drop pushes Mergers Up: Halliburton to buy Baker Hughes

Halliburton Company; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $43.1bn Baker Hughes Inc.; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $27.5bn Introduction On November 17, Halliburton Company, the world’s second biggest oilfield service provider, announced a definitive agreement to acquire Baker Hughes Inc. in a stock and cash deal worth $34.6bn. The transaction is Read more…

Get a $66bn Smile: Actavis to buy the Botox-maker Allergan

Actavis plc.; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $70.5bn Allergan Inc.; market cap (as of 21/11/2014): $63.3bn Introduction The growing emphasis we put on health and quality of life, and the scientific advancements which are making this possible, are putting the pharmaceutical and medical industries in the spotlight. The recent surge Read more…

Siemens “DresseS” up for US shale gas boom

Siemens AG, Market Cap (as of 26/09/2014): €83.16bn Dresser-Rand Group Inc., Market Cap (as of 26/09/2014): $6.3bn Siemens AG (NYSE:SI), the Munich-based global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, has agreed to acquire Dresser-Rand Group Inc. (NYSE:DRC), the Houston-based leading supplier of equipment for the oil and gas sector. According Read more…