What's Going On With Some Of These Major M&A Deals?

Low borrowing costs have driven a surge in M&A activity in recent years. Even some of the biggest companies in the world have been on spending sprees. However, when massive companies agree to join forces, ironing out the details of the deal and gaining regulatory approval can be a long and arduous process.

Here’s a status update on some of the largest M&A deals announced in the past year.

A Perfectly Chilled Deal

Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (ADR) BUD’s massive $100 billion merger with SABMiller is officially a done deal as of Monday. The deal closed almost exactly one year after Anheuser-Busch announced its bid for SABMiller on October 13, 2015.

Drug Stores Still Waiting

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc WBA announced a $9.4 billion deal to buy Rite Aid Corporation RAD back on October 27, 2015.

On December 11, 2015, the companies were asked for more information from the Federal Trade Commission, which still hasn’t made an official ruling. The companies still expect the deal to close at some point prior to 2017.

The News Stand

As of October 4, Gannett Co Inc GCI and tronc Inc TRNC were working out the details of a potential buyout agreement. Gannett will reportedly pay between $18.50 and $19/share for tronc if/when a deal is announced.

Related Link: EBay Makes A Quiet Acquisition To Add To Machine Learning Capabilities 

Delays Continue In Tech

Oracle Corporation ORCL’s $9.3 billion buyout of NetSuite Inc N seems to have hit a bump in the road. The buyout was announced on July 28, but Oracle recently extended the deadline for completing the deal from October 4 to November 4.

As of October 6, QUALCOMM, Inc. QCOM and NXP Semiconductors NV NXPI were only $10 apart in their buyout negotiations. NXP was reportedly asking for $120/share, while Qualcomm was offering $110.

... Or Are Dead In The Water

The potential KLA-Tencor Corp KLAC merger with Lam Research Corporation LRCX is officially dead. After nearly a year of opposition from the U.S. Justice Department on antitrust grounds, the two companies announced earlier this month they are throwing in the towel on the deal.

St. Jude's Buyout Waiting On Approval

EU regulators have until November 9 to rule on Abbott Laboratories ABT’s potential $25 billion buyout of St. Jude Medical, Inc. STJ. Regulators can decide to green-light the deal or open a full-scale investigation.

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