Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Tuesday July 9, 2013

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Tuesday July 9, 2013: Kroger to Acquire Harris Teeter for $49.38/Share The Deal:
The Kroger Co. KR and Harris Teeter Supermarkets HTSI announced Tuesday that Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Harris Teeter for $49.38 per share in cash. The merger is expected to close following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including approval by Harris Teeter shareholders and regulatory approval. Harris Teeter closed at $49.26 Tuesday, a gain of 1.5% on 27 times average volume. Report SodaStream Seeking Buyer The Rumor:
Shares of SodaStream International SODA sold off Tuesday on a report from the NY Post that the Israel-based maker of home beverage carbonation systems has been unsuccessfully seeking a buyer. Pepsico PEP CEO Indra Nooyi said there was no truth to a June 6 report that the company was in talks to acquire SodaStream. A SodaStream spokesperson was not available for comment. SodaStream closed at $61.95 Tuesday, a loss of 5% on 3 times average volume. Report of Community Health Interest in Acquiring Health Management Associates The Rumor:
Shares of both Health Management Associates HMA and Community Health Systems CYH surged higher Tuesday on a report from Reuters that Community Health has an interest in acquiring Health Management Associates. HCA Holdings HCA and LifePoint Hospitals LPNT were also mentioned as potential suitors. A source at Health Management Associates told Benzinga they were unaware of talks between the two companies. A Community Health spokesperson was not available for comment. Health Management Associates closed at $16.75 Tuesday, a gain of 8% on 2.5 times average volume. Community Health Systems closed at $48.00, a gain of 4% on 2.5 times average volume.