Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals scored a knockout punch Monday in the bidding war for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., even though a frenetic M&A race in the pharmaceutical industry forced it to pay more than it originally hoped. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: March 16, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/16/valeant-inc-lands-salix-ltd-with-knockout-bid-but-forced-to-pay-more-than-expected/ Questions for discussion: Why are pharma mergers and acquisitions like this one… Read more »
Posts Tagged: M&A
Investors Bet $100,000 Cancer Drug Prices Are Here to Stay
Description: (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama, prominent cancer doctors and health insurers are all warning about the need to control the surging prices of new drugs. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: March 10, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-09/investors-warm-to-100-000-cancer-drugs-after-21-billion-deal Questions for discussion: Why are investors confident that insurers will pay high prices for certain drugs? Is there a way to… Read more »
When ‘Shark Tank’ deals fall apart: Why some entrepreneurs walk away when the cameras stop rolling
Description: NEW YORK — With the cameras rolling, Daniel and Stephanie Rensing accepted an offer from a Shark Tank investor. But after they had time to think about it, they changed their minds. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 27, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/27/when-shark-tank-deals-fall-apart-why-some-entrepreneurs-walk-away-when-the-cameras-stop-rolling/?__lsa=7a93-d933 Questions for discussion: What are the primary benefits sought by entrepreneurs on this show?… Read more »
Is FOMO in tech startups driving valuation?
Description: Investor Bill Gurley says that investing too much money in new technologies may be cause for concern. Fortune’s Andrew Nusca and Erin Griffith discuss. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 24, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1BlY8qR Questions for Discussions: Summarize the concerns and the reasons for valuations. How do you think investors should approach this… Read more »
Traders Are Betting Sears Will Be the Next Big Retailer to Fail
Description: (Bloomberg) — Billionaire Eddie Lampert’s quest to revive Sears Holdings Corp. is looking dubious to credit-swaps traders. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 19, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-19/sears-turnaround-seen-failing-by-traders-in-credit-swaps-market Questions for Discussions: What are the signs that traders think suggest Sears’ demise? Do you agree with this assessment? Can Sears be saved?
A Deal That Could Reverse Pfizer’s History of Value-Destroying Acquisitions
Description: Pfizer has made more than its share of value-destroying acquisitions. The pharmaceutical giant’s $15.2 billion purchase of Hospira could reverse that history. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 05, 2015 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/a-deal-that-could-reverse-pfizers-history-of-value-destroying-acquisitions/ Questions for discussion: Summarize Pfizer’s M&A history. What’s different this time? Would you be an investor today?
Inside RadioShack’s slow-motion collapse: Why the fall of the 94-year-old electronics chain didn’t have to be this way
Description: Nathan Hill learned a lot about entertaining himself during his time as a RadioShack employee. Source: FinancialPost.com/Bloomberg Date: Feb 06, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/06/inside-radioshacks-slow-motion-collapse-why-the-fall-of-the-94-year-old-electronics-chain-didnt-have-to-be-this-way/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the history of RadioShack from the beginning. Do you think there is a new business model still possible for the RadioShack brand?
Smucker to Buy Big Heart Pet Brands for $5.8 Billion
Description: Ever since Jerome Monroe Smucker first started selling apple butter in 1897, the company that bears his name has been best known for jams, peanut butter and other treats. Now J.M. Smucker is moving into the world of dog biscuits and cat soufflés. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03, 2015 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/smucker-to-buy-big-heart-pet-brands-for-5-8-billion/?ref=business Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Staples Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy Office Depot
Description: Staples is in advanced talks to buy Office Depot, potentially uniting two of the biggest names in world of pens, paper clips and yes, staples, people briefed on the matter said on Tuesday. If completed, such a deal would consummate a transaction that was first attempted 18 years ago. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03,… Read more »
Amazon Bought This Man’s Company. Now He’s Coming for Them
Description: The historic downtown commercial district of Montclair, N.J., is known for its restaurants, antique shops, and art-house movie theater. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Jan 07, 2015 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-07/amazon-vs-dot-jet-dot-com-marc-lore-aims-to-beat-bezos#r=hp-ls Questions for discussion: Using Amazon as a guide, assess the financial requirements needed to set up this sort of business. What is the risk level for investors?
