Charter Communications, a cable and telecommunications company, recently announced that it would acquire Time Warner Cable in a $55 billion deal. Along with Time Warner, Charter also plans to acquire Bright House Networks in an additional $10 billion deal. While Bright House is a much smaller provider, Charter and Time Warner are the second and third largest cable television providers in the United States. Charter CEO Tom Rutledge claims the combined companies will provide customers with improved internet speeds and more competitive pricing.
The Oil Merger of the Decade: Shell to Buy BG Group
According to a statement by BG Group, Royal Dutch Shell is considering a “super-merger” with BG to expand its gas production, which would mark the biggest merger of the year.
Life Time Fitness Acquired in $4 Billion Buyout
Continuing their leveraged buyout partnership, private equity firms Leonard Green & Partners and TPG Capital recently announced an agreement to buy gym operator Life Time Fitness for about $4 billion. The two firms previously worked together to acquire retailer J.Crew in 2010 and Petco in 2006.
A New Leader in Combatting C.N.S. Disorders
On Monday, March 30, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that it would be acquiring Auspex Pharmaceuticals for $3.2 billion. As a result of the acquisition, shares of Auspex climbed from $29.60 (41.7 percent) to $100.51 while Teva shares increased by $1.67 (2.7 percent) to $63.65. This major increase in the value of the shares for both companies will boost their presence in treatments for central nervous system disorders, which may save many lives.
Potential CIT and OneWest Bank Merger Faces Public Hearing
Victories Over Amgen Bring Sandoz Closer to Launching First U.S. Biosimilar
On March 6, 2015, the FDA approved Zarxio, a biologic pharmaceutical produced by Novartis’ generic drug unit—Sandoz—that is biosimilar to Amgen’s Neupogen. Now, after overcoming two important challenges, Sandoz is poised to bring the first biosimilar approved under the Affordable Care Act to the U.S. market.
A Giant Merger in the Generic Drug Industry
In accordance with its 8-K filing of Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Auspex”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2015, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. (“Teva”), entered into a merger agreement with Auspex at a purchase price of $101 per share. The total amount of purchase will be about $3.2 billion.
AbbVie to Acquire Cancer Drug Maker Pharmacyclics for $21 Billion
Late on March 4, 2015, AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced its acquisition of Pharmacyclics (NASDAQ: PCYC), the maker of a cancer-treatment drug called Imbruvica, for approximately 21 billion dollars.
General Motors to Buy Back $5B of Its Stock
Insider Trading Requirements: Second Circuit Case could have Major Consequences for Prosecutors
In the context of insider trading cases involving tippers, the personal benefit test is most controversial. To hold a tippee liable, prosecutors are required to prove the tippee’s knowledge of the personal benefit of the tipper when revealing the tip. On December 10, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heightened the benefit requirement, which could have a major impact on insider trading cases to come.