Abbott Laboratories Would Buy Belgian Chemicals Maker Solvay

In one of several deals that energized markets yesterday, Abbott Laboratories (ABT)said it would pay $6.6 billion for the pharmaceutical business of Belgian chemicals maker Solvay.

The deal is the latest in a string of drug mergers and acquisitions, and one of three announcements yesterday that involved the fast-growing vaccines business.

Also yesterday, Johnson & Johnson Inc. bought an 18 percent stake in the Dutch biotechnology company Crucell NV, which is trying to develop a universal flu vaccine, while competitor Merck & Co. Inc. acquired the rights to sell Australia-based CSL Ltd.'s Afluria flu vaccine in the United States.

By purchasing Brussels-based Solvay, Abbott gains access to emerging markets in Eastern Europe and Asia along with new therapeutic areas, including hormone therapies and vaccines.

Solvay's flu vaccine Influvac gives Abbott an entrant in the burgeoning vaccines market, which is dominated by European pharmaceutical giants such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20090929_Pharma-deal_flurry_ignites_stocks.html

Dell to Buy Perot Systems September-21-2009

Dell agrees to buy Perot Systems for about $3.9B
Dell to buy Perot Systems for about $3.9B in cash, taking another step beyond the PC market
$16.69 -0.17 (1.01%) 52Wk Range: 7.84 - 18.44

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dell-agrees-to-buy-Perot-apf-3148015079.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=.
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http://infodumy.blogspot.com/

I.B.M.Acquires Software Maker SPSS July-28-09 TWX AOL

ARMONK, N.Y. I.B.M. said Tuesday that it would acquire a maker of analytics software maker, SPSS, in an all-cash transaction of $50 a share for a deal valued at about $1.2 billion.
$35.09 -0.01 (0.03%) 52Wk Range: 22.91 - 35.22

Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) also bought back the 5% stake in AOL that it sold to Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) for $1 billion in 2005 for the bargain price of $283 million. The deal, which occurred on July 8 according to SEC filings, gives Time Warner's Internet unit, which will soon be spun out, a valuation of less than $5.66 billion.
http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/2009/07/ibm_spss_twx_goog_db_bac.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/technology/companies/29ibm.html?ref=business
http://www.thedeal.com/

Six Flags Filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy June-14 2009

Debt-ridden amusement park operator Six Flags has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

The New York-based chain of parks, which runs Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, has been trying to renegotiate terms with lenders on hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

Six Flags parks, including Discovery Kingdom., will continue to operate as usual under reorganization.

“The current management team inherited a $2.4 billion debt load that cannot be sustained, particularly in these challenging financial markets,” said Six Flags Chief Executive Mark Shapiro in a statement. “As a result, we are cleaning up the past and positioning the company for future growth.”
Ticker SIX from PKS.
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=ACBJ&date=20090614&id=10019595
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576713

Six Flags Filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy June-14 2009

Debt-ridden amusement park operator Six Flags has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

The New York-based chain of parks, which runs Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, has been trying to renegotiate terms with lenders on hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

Six Flags parks, including Discovery Kingdom., will continue to operate as usual under reorganization.

Chain's Gottschalks Closing April-1 2009

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/328/story/65279.html

Roche Purchase of Genentech March-12 2009

Roche to take over Genentech for $47 billion- AP
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said Thursday it has agreed to buy California-based Genentech for $46.8 billion in a takeover described as the largest in Swiss corporate history.