Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Monday November 26, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Monday November 26, 2012: McGraw-Hill to Sell Education Unit to Apollo for $2.5B The Deal:
McGraw-Hill Companies MHP announced Monday it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its McGraw-Hill Education business to investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC APO, for a purchase price of $2.5 billion, subject to certain closing adjustments. As part of this transaction, McGraw-Hill will receive $250 million in senior unsecured notes issued by the purchaser at an annual interest rate of 8.5%. The transaction, which is expected to close in late 2012 or early 2013, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. McGraw-Hill Companies closed at $51.89 Monday, a gain of 0.40% on 2.5% times average volume. AvalonBay Announces Agreement to Acquire 40% of Archstone for $16B The Deal:
AvalonBay Communities AVB along with Equity Residential EQR announced Monday that the companies entered into an agreement with Lehman Brothers Holdings LEHMQ to acquire the assets and liabilities of Archstone Enterprise LP (“Archstone”), which consist principally of a portfolio of high quality apartment communities in major markets in the United States, for approximately $16 billion in the aggregate. Under the terms of the Agreement, AvalonBay will acquire approximately 40% of Archstone's assets and liabilities and Equity Residential will acquire approximately 60% of Archstone's assets and liabilities. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2013. AvalonBay Communities closed at $128.95 Monday, but traded 1.3% lower after hours. Merit Medical Signs Agreement to Acquire Thomas Medical Products for $167M in Cash The Deal:
Merit Medical Systems MMSI announced Monday that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire Thomas Medical Products from GE Healthcare GE in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $167 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Merit currently anticipates that the proposed transaction will close prior to December 31, 2012. Merit Medical Systems closed at $13.23 Monday and traded slightly higher after-hours. Onex to Acquire USI for $2.3B The Deal:
Onex Corporation ONEXF announced Monday that it has agreed to acquire USI, a leading U.S. provider of insurance brokerage services, for $2.3 billion. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of 2012 subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. Onex closed at $40.45 Monday, down $0.32. Apollo in Talks to Buy UK Jewelry Chain Owner Aurum The Rumor:
Private equity firm Apollo Global Management APO is rumored to be in talks to acquire UK Jewelry retailer Aurum, according to a report from the UK Telegraph late Sunday. A spokesperson for Apollo was not available for comment. Apollo Global Management closed at $15.27 Monday, a loss of $0.06 on lower than average volume.