M&A Review: Diageo Ready To BUY José Cuervo, Aetna Will PURCHASE Coventry

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is said to be poised to acquire José Cuervo, the leading brand of tequila in the world, from Mexico’s Beckmann family for $3 billion in cash and shares. It appears that the discussions progressed from Diageo’s earlier proposal for an investment between 20 and 30 percent. In the meantime, the presumptive buyer of Cuervo has also held discussions to buy a stake in privately-held United Spirits, which owns Whyte & Mackay whiskey.

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Aetna, Inc. (NYSE:AET) reports that it will purchase Coventry Health Care, Inc. (NYSE:CVH) in a transaction valued at $7.3 billion, which will include the assumption of the latter’s debt. Through the terms, Coventry shareholders will receive $27.30 in cash and 0.3885 Aetna common shares for each Coventry share, or $42.08 per share, which marks a bonus of 20 percent to the Friday closing price. This acquisition should add more than 5 million members to Aetna and swell the revenues from government from 23 percent to more than 30, and also should produce synergies of $400 million per year in 2015.

McCormick & Company, Inc. (NYSE:MKC) acquires the Chinese spice company Wuhan Asia-Pacific Condiments for approximately $141 million in a transaction that should close in the middle of next year. The buyer says that crucial to the will be the ability to extend the reach of bouillon products deep into China, where cooks traditionally brew it from scratch.

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