Aggressive bidder has Angie’s List over a barrel, analysts say
Internet behemoth IAC appears bent on hashing out an acquisition and likely would stage a hostile takeover if Angie’s List resists, market analysts say.
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Soapmaker Gilchrist & Soames scooped up by Sysco unit
The Indianapolis-based producer of high-end soaps, shampoos and conditioners for hotels and resorts will become part of Guest Supply but keep its local operations.
Anthem’s next challenge: getting regulators to say OK
The next challenge for Anthem Inc. in its quest to marry Cigna Corp. is to get its legal guardians to allow the ceremony to happen.
Reports: Blockbuster Anthem-Cigna deal for $48B imminent
Reports by the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and Reuters said Indianapolis-based Anthem has offered $48 billion for Cigna Corp.—which would be the largest merger in health insurance history.
Report: Hoosier firms raised $17.5M in VC for first quarter
The investment was in line with comparable quarters in recent years, but there’s evidence that at least one significant deal didn’t make the list.
Smart-keg startup lands another $5.5 million
SteadyServ, the local firm behind the iKeg smart beer-management system, now plans to move into at least six new markets outside the Midwest.
Indianapolis-area mergers and acquisitions in 2014
Look here to see a compilation of deals affecting Indianapolis-area companies last year. Also see whether the area is gaining or losing more than its share of headquarters.
Carmel’s Merchants Bancorp aims to raise $50M for growth
One of the state’s largest privately held banks could bring in as many as 500 new shareholders to help fund growth. A planned acquisition fell apart early last year.
Lilly to sell heartworm line for Novartis deal approval
Eli Lilly and Co. wants to combine Novartis with its own animal health business, Elanco, to create the second-largest animal health company in the U.S.
Canadian firm buys Ingram Micro properties for $68.7M
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust has entered Plainfield’s robust logistics and distribution market with a deal to buy two mammoth facilities and a prime plot of land.
Canadian investor to pay $593M for stake in IPL
The parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light Co. plans to use the investment to help fund $1.4 billion in capacity improvements and environmental upgrades for IPL.
Growth-minded Vertellus buys Dow Chemical unit
Indianapolis-based chemical producer Vertellus Specialties Inc. has announced its second big acquisition in as many months, in a deal believed to be worth as much as $200 million.
First Merchants closes $49M acquisition of Community Bank
The deal gives First Merchants a stronger foothold in affluent Hamilton County, and a total of 107 locations in three states.
Maker of class rings may fetch $1 billion
Herff Jones might be on the verge of a sale for as much as $1 billion. The 94-year-old maker of class rings and yearbooks, quietly renamed Varsity Brands Inc. in June, has hired the investment banking firm Jefferies to explore a sale, unidentified sources told Reuters.
UPDATE: Angie’s suitors could include Amazon, Yelp, IAC
Amazon has been developing its own local services marketplace. Yelp is the leading consumer-review service in the retail space. Website Holding company IAC, meanwhile, has a big stash of cash and owns competitor HomeAdvisor.com.
ITT Educational shares reeling after deal falls through
The real estate deal would have brought as much as $119.1 million for the struggling, Carmel-based education firm.
ExactTarget acquisition boosted Indy’s tech mojo, local execs say
Near the first anniversary of ExactTarget’s $2.5 billion purchase by Salesforce.com, local tech gurus explain how the acquisition lifted all ships by bringing new prestige, investment and expertise to the city.
Old National scoops up Lafayette Savings Bank for $42M
The purchase of LSB Financial Corp., parent of Lafayette Savings Bank, will add $366 million in assets and five branches to Old National’s portfolio.
Big-rig seller Stoops to unload six-location dealership
Stoops Freightliner, an Indianapolis truck and trailer dealer, has agreed to sell to a larger dealership after more than 25 years in business. Owner Jeff Stoops grew it into a $323 million firm with 563 employees.
Lilly to pay dearly for Novartis animal health biz
Wall Street analysts raised their eyebrows at the hefty price Eli Lilly and Co. will pay to acquire Novartis Animal Health, when compared to the value of the biggest player in the field.