Investors closely following potential merger wave
The takeover game is rampant among U.S. health insurers and stock investors are filling the stands.
Bloomberg News
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Health insurers that win merger race likely to get regulatory OK
A victory by Anthem Inc. in its bid to buy Cigna Corp. could create regulatory hurdles for other insurers exploring deals as antitrust officials seek to hold the line on rising health care costs.
Potential Anthem-Cigna deal hinges on CEO cooperation
Cigna Corp. and Anthem Inc. are poised to do the biggest deal that the health insurance industry has ever seen—if their CEOs can get along.
Rainy weather keeps soybean planting pace at 19-year low
Parts of the Midwest received more than six times the normal amount of rainfall in the week ended Monday. States including Indiana had less than two days suitable for fieldwork last week
Lilly drug regimen costing $9,200 a month scores zero in study
In a new scoring system for oncology drugs, a leading group of U.S. cancer doctors awarded a zero for overall benefit to a regimen featuring Alimta, Eli Lilly and Co.’s top-selling product.
Hotel-record inspection law tossed out by U.S. Supreme Court
A divided U.S. Supreme Court threw out a Los Angeles ordinance that lets police inspect hotel registries without first getting a judge’s permission. Similar laws are in place in Indianapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, St. Louis and Cincinnati.
Obamacare driving merger talk among big insurers
Driving the consolidation is the 2010 health law that put tougher rules on the industry, demanding more covered services, better care and a ceiling on profits.
Cigna rejects $47B offer from Anthem as ‘inadequate’
Anthem on Saturday offered to buy the smaller health insurer, which responded Sunday with a litany of concerns and criticisms.
Cummins among winners in U.S. truck efficiency plan
U.S. regulators have delivered a victory for engine makers such as Indiana-based Cummins Inc. in a battle over greenhouse-gas emissions regulations for heavy-duty trucks.
Report: Simon attempts to sell holdings in rival Macerich
If true, the move could signal that Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group no longer is interested in acquiring the rival shopping-mall owner.
Ball from Deflategate game heads to auction for $25K
The price tag for a football from last season’s infamous AFC Championship game between the Colts and Patriots has been inflated.
Hill-Rom to acquire medical supplies firm for $2 billion
The acquisition lets Hill-Rom, a maker of hospital supplies for wound care and respiratory health, delve further into the market for diagnostic supplies for physicians and emergency responders
Potential deal drama heats up among five health insurers
The biggest U.S. providers—UnitedHealth Group Inc., Anthem Inc., Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp. and Humana Inc.—are all looking at possible combinations. Indianapolis-based Anthem is considering a takeover of Cigna or Humana, a person familiar with the matter said.
Gap to shut down 175 stores in turnaround bid
About 175 underperforming Gap stores will close in North America as part of a comeback plan for the business, which has posted sales declines for five straight quarters and lagged behind its sister chain Old Navy.
Hudson’s Bay moves closer to IPO after $2.6B acquisition
The purchase of Metro AG’s Galeria Kaufhof stores is Hudson’s Bay’s first under its joint venture with Simon Property Group, marking a new era of real-estate fueled growth as retailers try to squeeze more value from their property.
Startup aims to upend diabetes care with matchstick-size implant
Intarcia Therapeutics Inc. is betting its matchstick-size pump could take market share from Eli Lilly and Co., AstraZeneca Plc and Novo Nordisk A/S.
Obama’s fast-track trade bill scuttled by House Democrats
Democrats handed President Barack Obama an embarrassing defeat on his trade agenda, blocking final passage of fast-track negotiating authority just hours after he made a rare visit to Capitol Hill to seek their support.
Biotech with unproven Alzheimer’s drug now worth billions
Axovant Sciences Ltd., a company without a finished product or a dime of sales, has an almost $3 billion valuation after its public-market debut. The IPO shows the staggering potential for any company that can develop a successful Alzheimer’s treatment.
EPA seen siding with engine makers in truck efficiency rules
The Obama administration is poised to deliver a victory to engine makers at the expense of truck manufacturers such as Cummins Inc. in the next stage of the U.S. government’s plan to tackle climate change.
Federal data hack far bigger than originally thought
Already considered one of the largest thefts of U.S. government personnel data in history, investigators now estimate that it may include data on as many as 14 million people, including every federal employee.