merger | Sabin Piso

Celgene Corporation and Juno Therapeutics, Inc. Collaborates for Improved Commercialization of Immunotherapies

July 25, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Celgene Corporation and Juno Therapeutics, Inc. announced a global collaboration for the development and commercialization of immunotherapies. The two companies will create T cell therapeutic strategies for treatments for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. Strategies will initially focus on Chimeric Antigen Receptor Technology (CAR-T) and T Cell Receptor (TCR) technologies.

The merger will allow Celgene an option to commercialize Juno programs outside North America and co-promote programs globally and on the other hand, Juno gains option to co-develop and co-promote select Celgene programs

According to the transaction, Celgene will make initial payment of approximately $1 billion which includes the purchase of ~9.1 million shares of Juno stock at $93.00 per share, with potential to increase its stake over time. A joint conference call scheduled today at 5:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. PT will further inform the public about the details of the merger transaction.

Bob Hugin, Chairman and CEO of Celgene mentioned in a statement, “This transaction strengthens Celgene’s position in the emerging and transformative area of immuno-oncology.” He also added, “Juno has assembled world class experts and built impressive capabilities and technologies in the areas of T cell biology and cellular therapy; we believe this long-term collaboration enhances the potential of both companies to deliver transformational therapies to patients with significant unmet medical needs.”

Hans Bishop, CEO of Juno also mentioned in a statement, “Celgene is the ideal partner for Juno to help us realize the full potential of our science and clinical research while maintaining the independence we, our employees, partners, and investors believe is so critical for true innovation.” He further explained, “This unique collaboration is designed to catalyze and create tremendous ongoing scientific and product development synergy by leveraging each company’s strengths and assets. In addition to its established global presence and commercial reach, Celgene has leading small molecule and protein capabilities that complement Juno’s advanced engineered T cell capabilities. By doing this together, we believe we can more quickly and effectively develop potentially disruptive therapies in this new field of medicine and make them more readily available to patients worldwide.”

Under the terms of the collaboration, Celgene has the option to be the commercialization partner for Juno’s oncology and cell therapy auto-immune product candidates. This includes Juno’s CD19 and CD22 directed CAR-T product candidates. B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) is excluded as a target in this collaboration.

Upon closing, Juno will receive an upfront payment of approximately $150 million, and in addition Celgene will purchase 9,137,672 shares of Juno’s common stock at $93.00 per share. This transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Celgene and Juno currently expect to complete the transaction during the third quarter of 2015, subject to the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under all applicable antitrust laws and satisfaction of other usual and customary closing conditions.

About Celgene Corporation

Celgene Corporation is an American biotechnology company that manufactures drug therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders. It is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Summit, New Jersey. The company’s major products are Thalomid (thalidomide), which is for the acute treatment of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (“ENL”) and Revlimid (lenalidomide), for which the company has received FDA and EMA approval for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy. Celgene also receives royalties from Novartis Pharma AG on sales of the entire Ritalin family of drugs, which are widely used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Celgene stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/celg

About Bob Hugin

Mr. Hugin is the Chief Executive Officer of Celgene since June 2010 and Chairman since June 2011. He was previously President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2006 to June 2010, and was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as a Director in December 2001. Prior to joining Celgene, Mr. Hugin was a Managing Director with J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc. Mr. Hugin received an AB degree from Princeton University in 1976 and an MBA from the University of Virginia in 1985 and served as a United States Marine Corps infantry officer during the intervening period.

About Juno Therapeutics

Juno Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing novel cellular immunotherapies based on two distinct and complementary platforms – Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and T Cell Receptors (TCRs) technologies. Our goal is to revolutionize medicine by re-engaging the body’s immune system to treat cancer. Juno Therapeutics stock market evolution; http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/juno

About Hans Bishop

Hans Bishop is one of the co-founders of Juno Therapeutics and has served as Chief Executive Officer since Juno’s inception. Prior to this, he acted as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Dendreon, a Seattle-based biotechnology company that develops immunotherapy products used in cancer treatment. Mr. Bishop previously held various positions at Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKlineBeecham. He serves on the Board of Directors of Avanir Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Bishop earned a B.S. in chemistry from Brunel University in London.

Delhaize Group and Royal Ahold N.V. Combine to Create Ahold Delhaize

July 20, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Delhaize Group and Royal Ahold N.V. (Ahold) today announced that they have entered into an agreement to merge. The combined company will be named Ahold Delhaize and this will have a portfolio of trusted local brands. Ahold Delhaize will have more than 375,000 associates serving more than 50 million customers weekly in the United States and Europe.

Because of the amazing advantages from each of the two companies, the combined company will have enhanced scale across regions and will have leading market retail offerings. Ahold Delhaize will also benefit from the strong heritage and values of both companies.

Jan Hommen, Chairman of Ahold, and Mats Jansson, Chairman of Delhaize, said: “This is a true merger of equals, combining two highly complementary businesses to create a world-leading food retailer. The transaction delivers a compelling value proposition for our shareholders, a superior offering for our customers and attractive opportunities for our associates.”

Frans Muller, CEO of Delhaize, said: “We believe that the proposed merger of Ahold and Delhaize will create significant value for all our stakeholders. Supported by our talented and committed associates, Ahold Delhaize aims to increase relevance in its local communities by improving the value proposition for its customers through assortment innovation and merchandising, a better shopping experience both in stores and online, investments in value, and new store growth. We look forward to working closely with the Ahold team to implement a smooth integration process and realize the targeted synergies.”

Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold, said: “The proposed merger with Delhaize is an exciting opportunity to create an even stronger and more innovative retail leader for our customers, associates and shareholders worldwide. With extraordinary reach, diverse products and formats, and great people, we are bringing together two world-class organizations to deliver even more for the communities we serve. Our companies share common values, proud histories rooted in family entrepreneurship, and businesses that complement each other well. We look forward to working together to reach new levels of service and success.”

The merger will take place through a cross-border legal merger of Delhaize into Ahold. Included in the transaction, Delhaize shareholders will receive 4.75 Ahold ordinary shares for each Delhaize ordinary share. Ahold will terminate its ongoing share buyback program; €1 billion will be returned to Ahold shareholders via a capital return and a reverse stock split prior to completion of the transaction

Ahold Delhaize will be listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and the Brussels Stock Exchange. Delhaize’s ADS program will be terminated at completion and Delhaize ADS holders will have the choice to receive either Ahold ADRs under the current Ahold OTC ADRs program or Ahold Delhaize ordinary shares. Pending shareholder approvals and regulatory clearance, as well as other customary conditions, the deal is expected to complete mid-2016

About Delhaize

Delhaize Group is a food retailer headquartered in Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium which operates in seven countries and on three continents. The principal activity of Delhaize Group is the operation of supermarkets. In June 24, 2015, Delhaize Group reached an agreement with Royal Ahold to merge. Forming a Parent Company of Ahold Delhaize. Delhaize stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/deg

About Mats Jansson

Mr. Jansson has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Delhaize since May 24, 2012. He also previously served as a director of Axfood, Mekonomen, Swedish Match, Hufvudstaden and Danske Bank. Mr. Jansson studied economical history and sociology at the University of Örebro.

About Frans Muller

Mr. Muller is President and CEO of Delhaize Group since November 8, 2013. In 1988, he joined KLM Cargo where he served in various management and executive positions in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Vienna, Singapore. Muller holds a Master of Business Economics from the Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands).

About Ahold

Koninklijke Ahold N.V. is a Dutch international retailer based in Zaandam, The Netherlands. Ahold is an AEX-listed company on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. The company started in 1887, with the founding of an Albert Heijn grocery store in Oostzaan, The Netherlands. The grocery chain expanded through the first half of the 20th century, and went public in 1948. In June 24, 2015, Delhaize Group reached an agreement with Royal Ahold to merge. Forming a Parent Company of Ahold Delhaize. Ahold stock market evolution: http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/AH:NA0

About Jan Hommen

Jan Hommen is the Chairman of the Selection and Appointment Committee of Ahold. He was appointed to the Supervisory Board at the General Meeting of Shareholders on April 2013. He is the former CEO of ING Group N.V., former CFO and vice chairman of the board of management of Royal Philips Electronics N.V. and former CFO of Aluminum Company of America.

About Dick Boer

Mr. Dick Boer has been the Chief Executive Officer of Koninklijke Ahold N.V since March 1, 2011 and serves as its President. Mr. Boer serves as the Chairman of Management Board and President of Koninklijke Ahold N.V. He studied Executive MBA at program IBO (Zeist).

Stock Building Supply Merges with Building Materials Holding Corporation for Enhanced Services and Products

June 11, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Stock Building Supply and Building Materials Holding Corporation have signed a definitive merger agreement under which the two companies combine through an all-stock transaction. The new company as a result of the merger is expected to have an implied pro forma enterprise value of $1.5 billion, a value that is based on Stock Building Supply’s closing price on June 2nd.

The merger of Stock Building Supply and Building Materials Holding Corporation will create a premier provider of lumber, building products and construction services with over $2.7 billion in pro forma 2014 revenues as well as enhanced product and service offerings. The combined company will also enjoy a larger geographic reach in productive regions across the United States. The combination will also benefit from huge technology capabilities and deep industry expertise that will lead to profitable growth and customer service.

Jeff Rea, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stock Building Supply, has mentioned in a statement “We expect this compelling strategic merger will provide significant benefits for customers, shareholders, suppliers and associates of both companies.” He also said “The continuing recovery of the U.S. housing market is expected to generate strong demand for building materials, services and solutions, and together we believe BMC and Stock Building Supply are better positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. Upon close of this transaction, I look forward to continuing on our board to support the combined company and have great faith in the combined leadership team’s ability to create significant shareholder value by accelerating the implementation of our common strategies.”

Peter Alexander, BMC’s Chief Executive Officer, said “We are very pleased to be uniting two leading companies with complementary strategies, products and services; a shared commitment to superior customer experiences; strong internal performance-based cultures and operations in high-demand geographies. The combination of our two highly complementary platforms will enhance our ability to provide customers with best-in-class products and services across an expanded geographic footprint. We have great respect for what the team at Stock Building Supply has accomplished and upon close of this transaction; I look forward to leading the combined team as we enter the next exciting phase of our transition and the ability to fund our growth.”

The Board of Directors of both companies has approved the details of the merger. BMC shareholders will receive 0.5231 newly issued Stock Building Supply shares for each BMC share. Upon the closing of the transaction, BMC shareholders will own approximately 60% of the merged entity, with Stock Building Supply shareholders owning approximately 40%. The transaction is structured to be tax-free to the shareholders of both companies, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015, subject to approval by both Stock Building Supply and BMC shareholders and typical regulatory clearances.

About Stock Building Supply

Stock Building Supply is a leading building materials and solutions company in the United States. The company specializes in high quality customer experience for builders and contractors who are engaged in single- and multi-family residential, repair and remodel and light commercial construction. Stock was founded as Carolina Builders Corporation (CBC) in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1922. The Gores Group, LLC, a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses purchased a majority ownership of Stock in 2009. Because of Gores’ expertise, Stock is now a stronger, more focused and innovative company with great locations found across the United States. In addition to its core residential building materials business operating under the Stock name, other Stock subsidiaries are Coleman Floor, Smoot Lumber and Bison. Stock Building Supply stock market evolution: http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=STCK

About Jeff Rea

Jeff Rea is the President and CEO of Stock Building Supply. Jeff Rea joined Stock Building Supply in 2010 as President and CEO. Before joining Stock, he served as President of the Specialty Products Group at TE Connectivity (TEL), which was comprised of four separate global businesses. Jeff has a degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana.

About Building Materials and Construction Services

BMC – Building Materials & Construction Services is an American construction supply company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. It provides diversified building materials, trusses and components, doors and millwork, and construction and installation services across 88 business units in 16 markets in 10 states, 8 of which are in the top 25 single family construction markets. Building Materials and Construction Services stock market evolution: http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BLG:US
About Peter C. Alexander

Peter C. Alexander is the CEO of Building Materials and Construction Services. He has served as a board director, and was named CEO in 2010. He has led businesses in the U.S. and over 25 countries. He has completed and integrated 41 acquisitions across the globe. Mr. Alexander attended the University of Stockholm, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University.

Yoox Group to Merge with Rival Net – a – Porter to Create Ultimate Online Luxury Fashion Retailer

April 30, 2015 by Sabin Piso

The Yoox Group said on Tuesday that it agreed to merge with its luxury e-commerce rival company Net-a-Porter in an all-share deal. This would create an online luxury fashion retailer with a combined to post revenue of 1.3 billion euros, or about $1.4 billion. The new company would be called Yoox Net-a-Porter Group.

“This is a game-changing merger between two pioneering companies that have already radically transformed the marketplace since 2000 and will now shift the industry paradigm once again,” Federico Marchetti, the founder and chief executive of Yoox, said in a news release. “Together, we plan to expand on our many combined successes and industry breadth to strengthen partnerships with the world’s leading luxury brands and harness a significant untapped growth potential.”

Net-a-Porter’s website sells clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories from top designers and labels which includes Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino. It also publishes Porter magazine that allows readers to buy featured items. On the other hand Yoox sells off-season luxury goods in its online store and from thecorner.com.

In an interview by telephone from Milan, Mr. Marchetti said that he admired Net-a-Porter’s editorial skills. These would improve Yoox’s business building and operating websites for luxury brands. Yoox already powers sites for more than 30 brands, including Armani, Zegna, Lanvin and Valentino, and has a joint venture with Kering for many of its luxury brands including Bottega Veneta, YSL and Alexander McQueen. Mr. Marchetti would serve as the chief executive of the combined company, and Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-a-Porter, would be its executive chairwoman.

“Today, we open the doors to the world’s biggest luxury fashion store,” Ms. Massenet said. “It is a store that never closes, a store without geographical borders, a store that connects with, inspires, serves and offers millions of style-conscious global consumers’ access to the finest designer labels in fashion.”

According to the deal, Richemont would receive 50 percent of the combined company’s shares and hold 25 percent of its voting rights. Richmond would also be limited to two of the company’s 12 independent directors. To remember, Richemont acquired a majority interest in Net-a-Porter in 2010 in a deal that improved the company’s value at 350 million pounds, or about $519 million. Analysts said the merger will call for further consolidation in the luxury retail sector.

The transaction is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and is set to close in September. Yoox would still be listed in Milan and based in Italy. If the transaction is completed, the combined company will raise up to €200 million in capital to fund future growth opportunities.

About Yoox

YOOX Group S.p.A is an Italian internet mail order retailer of men’s and women’s multibrand clothing and accessories. Founded by Federico Marchetti, a former investment banker, in Zola Predosa, Yoox Group has become an e-commerce company that serves more than 100 countries worldwide. Yoox stock market evolution: http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=YOOX.MI

About Federico Marchetti

Federico Marchetti is the founder and CEO of YOOX Group. After finishing an MBA at Columbia and a brief career in finance and consulting, he developed Internet retailing company Yoox in 2000 in Zola Predosa. Marchetti took YOOX Group public in 2009 on the Borsa Italiana (Milan Stock Exchange). It was the first European tech company to do so since the economic downturn of that period. YOOX Group opened its first offices in China in 2010 in the city of Shanghai. In 2011, Marchetti was given an award for Innovation and Internet by the Italy-based Chi è Chi (Who’s Who) organization. On January 25, 2012, Marchetti and YOOX Group were awarded the Comitato Leonardo’s Premio Leonardo award for innovation by Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy.

About Net –a – Porter

Net-a-Porter is a high-fashion retailer that online designed in the style of a magazine. It was launched in London in June, 2000 by Natalie Massenet. It now operates globally with multiple fashion retailing sites and some 2,600 employees. It is part of the Swiss holding company Richemont. The website has 2.5 million unique visits in Internet traffic to their website every month.

About Natalie Massenet

Natalie Massenet MBE is a fashion entrepreneur, former journalist and founder of fashion portal Net-a-Porter. Since 2013, she has been chairman of the British Fashion Council. Credited by many as changing the way designer fashion is retailed, she has been described as: “fashion’s favorite self-made success story” by The Observer. Massenet received an MBE for services to the fashion industry in 2009. In 2013, Massenet was made a Woman of the Year by US Glamour magazine. In 2014, she was named as one of the 100 most influential people by Time.

ARRIS Group Will Acquire Pace Plc for Stocks and $2.1 Billion in Cash

April 29, 2015 by Sabin Piso

ARRIS Group and Pace plc announced an agreement regarding ARRIS acquisition of Pace for aggregate stock and cash consideration of US$2.1 billion (£1.4 billion). The transaction is expected to be accretive to ARRIS Non-GAAP earnings per share in the first 12 months following the acquisition.

The transaction will result in the formation of New ARRIS; the company will be incorporate in the U.K., while its headquarters and their operations will be based in the USA. New ARRIS is expected to be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker ARRS. And regarding the new connection each current share of ARRIS will be exchanged for one share in New ARRIS.

ARRIS has secured a fully committed facility from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to meet the funding requirements.

The proposed transaction has been approved by the respective Boards of Directors of ARRIS and Pace and is expected to close in late 2015 after the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including ARRIS and Pace shareholder approval and regulatory approvals.

ARRIS Chairman and CEO, Bob Stanzione will be New ARRIS Chairman and CEO and the then-current ARRIS Board of Directors will serve as the New ARRIS Board of Directors.

“This transaction is another example of ARRIS’s ongoing strategy of investing in the right opportunities to position our company for growth. Adding Pace’s talent, products and diverse customer base will provide ARRIS with a large scale entry into the satellite segment broaden our portfolio and expand our global presence. We expect this merger will enable ARRIS to increase its speed of innovation. We believe this is a tremendous opportunity for ARRIS and our customers, employees, shareholders and partners around the world as we collaborate to invent the future,” mentioned Bob Stanzione. “We look forward to working with the talented and accomplished team at Pace.”

“Pace plc is a great company with a strong track record of pioneering innovation and excellent customer service. Through a combination of organic development and acquisitions, Pace has grown to be a leading technology solutions provider to the PayTV and Broadband industries serving cable, satellite and telco customers across the globe. Over the last three years, Mike Pulli and the wider Pace team have successfully executed against our strategic plan to develop Pace into a more distinctive, profitable and cash generative company, creating significant value for shareholders.

“The Pace Directors believe that ARRIS’s offer recognises this value and also gives our shareholders the opportunity to share in the future success of the combined group. While we believe that Pace is strongly positioned to continue to execute its strategy in the medium and long term, we believe that the combination of the complementary ARRIS and Pace businesses will create a platform for future growth above and beyond our standalone potential. We believe this is a great fit for both companies, our employees, customers and trading partners,” said Allan Leighton, Chairman of Pace.

About Arris Group, Inc.

ARRIS Group, Inc. is a global communications technology company, which engages in the designing, engineering, and supplying of broadband network services for residential and business subscribers. Its products expand and help grow network capacity with access and outside plant construction equipment that reliably deliver voice, video and data services and assure optimal service delivery for end customers. The company operates its business through two segments: Network & Cloud and Customer Premises Equipment. ARRIS Group was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Suwanee, GA. ARRIS stock market evolution http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/arrs

About Robert J. Stanzione
Robert J. (Bob) Stanzione is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ARRIS, a global communications technology leader that provides broadband local access networks with innovative next generation high-speed data and telephony systems for the delivery of voice, video and data to the home and business. Bob holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University, a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and has completed executive development programs at the University of Richmond, Babson College and the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland.

About Pace

Pace plc develops set-top boxes (STBs), advanced residential gateways, software and services for the pay-TV and broadband services industry. Pace’s customers include cable, telco, satellite and IPTV operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

On 22 April 2015, Pace agreed to be acquired by Arris Group of the United States, in a stock and cash deal that valued the company at £1.4Bn. The resultant combined group will be head quartered in the United Kingdom, but operationally managed from the United States. Pace stock market evolution http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/pic?countrycode=uk

About Allan Leighton

Allan Leighton is an English businessman, former CEO of Asda and former non-executive chairman of the Royal Mail. He is currently the CEO of the Danish jewelry company Pandora. Leighton was appointed Chairman of Yorkshire-based broadcast and broadband technology company Pace plc on 21 June 2011.

Summit Materials to Acquire Lafarge North America’s 1.2 Million Short Ton Capacity Davenport Cement Plants and More

April 22, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Summit Materials announced signed a definitive agreement with Lafarge North America (“Lafarge NA”) to acquire Lafarge NA’s 1.2 million short ton (1.1 million metric ton) capacity Davenport, IA cement plant and seven cement distribution terminals (“Davenport Assets”) for $450 million. The transaction is subject to certain post-closing adjustmentsSummit’s Bettendorf, Iowa cement distribution terminal. The transaction is expected to close in July 2015, after final regulatory approval and the closing of the Lafarge-Holcim global merger.

The Davenport Assets will be combined with Summit’s Continental Cement Company business based in Chesterfield, MO. The businesses will have 2.45 million short tons of cement capacity which are from two plants in Hannibal, MO and Davenport, and eight cement distribution terminals along the Mississippi River from Minneapolis, MN to New Orleans, LA.

Summit CEO, Tom Hill, commented, “The Davenport Assets are an excellent fit with our materials-based growth strategy and a continuation of Summit’s proven track record of value-added acquisitions. The combination of the Davenport Assets and Continental Cement creates a strategically compelling and complementary multi-plant cement business in very attractive markets along the Mississippi. We are looking forward to welcoming the Davenport plant and terminal employees to Summit, and to servicing new and existing customers with high quality product from our expanded cement operations.”

Furthermore, the transaction stated that the purchase price of $450 million is expected to be funded by Summit Materials with a combination of debt and equity.

Summit hosted a conference call at 11:00 am eastern time (9:00 am mountain time) on April 17, 2015 to further discuss the contents of the transaction.

About Summit Materials

Summit Materials was created to acquire and improve heavy-side building materials companies in various construction industries such as aggregates, ready-mix concrete, cement, asphalt paving and so on. Summit Materials partner with established local businesses and is committed to creating value, provide access to growth capital, implement best practices, and provide a safe place to work while striving to exceed the company’s environmental and social responsibilities. Summit Materials stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/sum

About Tom Hill

Tom Hill is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Summit Materials. Tom was Chief Executive Officer of Oldcastle from 2006 to 2008. Oldcastle was one of the world’s leading building materials companies based in Dublin, Ireland. Tom served on the CRH Board of Directors from 2002 to 2008. Tom also held a variety of leadership roles in the transportation industry with the most prominent one as Chairman of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association from 2002 to 2004. He helped develop legislative proposals to address the transportation infrastructure and testified before the US Congress on the need for increased Federal investment in transportation infrastructure. Tom received his MBA from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland in 1980. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Duke University in 1978.

About Lafarge

Lafarge is a French industrial company that produces three major products: cement, construction aggregates, and concrete. It is a world leader in building materials. The group conducts its operations through more than 1,000 subsidiaries, out of which 82% are consolidated. To improve its gypsum assets and the fundamental changes to its management structure, the group has fully refocused on its core businesses of cement, aggregates and concrete. This change will accelerate growth and innovation of the company. Lafarge has an organizational structure according to its three divisions along with decentralized local operations and strong corporate expert departments, which are involved in strategic decisions. Lafarge has 155 cement plants in 56 countries. When it comes to aggragates and concrete there are 141 production sites and sales offices in 37 countries. Lafarge has headquarters in Paris, France.

On April 7, 2014, Lafarge and Holcim partnered into what was called a “merger of equals”.The merger was all about Lafarge stock being converted into Holcim stock on a 1:1 basis. Former Holcim shareholders would own 53% of LafargeHolcim. The new company would be based in Switzerland and have a manufacturing capacity of 427 million tons a year would vastly exceed the 227 million ton capacity. Anhui Conch is the current industry leader in that category. Lafarge Chief Executive Officer Bruno Lafont and Holcim’s Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle will be co-Chairmen of the new Group. Executives from both companies said the deal would save the new company 1.4 billion euros annually and create “the most advanced group in the building materials industry.” Lafarge stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/laf

About Continental Cement Company

Continental Cement Company is a privately held, American-owned cement manufacturer. It has a single manufacturing facility located south of Hannibal, MO along with additional distribution facilities in St. Louis, MO and Bettendorf, IA. Continental Cement Company headquarters are in Chesterfield, MO.

Nokia and Alcatel – Lucent Will Merge to Create Industry Leader in Next Gen Tech

April 20, 2015 by Sabin Piso

A memorandum of agreement between Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent has been created. Witnesses of the merger said that the transaction mentioned that Nokia will make an offer for all of the equity securities of Alcatel-Lucent. This is through a public exchange offer to be made in France and in the United States. This is on the basis of 0.55 of a new Nokia share for every Alcatel-Lucent share.

The transaction further states that: all-share transaction values Alcatel-Lucent at EUR 15.6 billion on a fully diluted basis, corresponding to a fully diluted premium of 34% (equivalent to EUR 4.48 per share), and a premium to shareholders of 28% (equivalent to EUR 4.27 per share), on the unaffected weighted average share price of Alcatel-Lucent from the past three months. This transaction is from Nokia closing share price of EUR 7.77 on April 13, 2015.

Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent Board of Directors have approved the terms of the proposed transaction. This transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016. This transaction is for approval by Nokia’s shareholders, completion of relevant works council consultations, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

According to the merger, the combined company aims to create a foundation of seamless connectivity no matter where the user is located. This is important for changes that will happen in the future as well as the “Internet of Things” and the potential transition of data to cloud storage. Because of Alcatel – Lucent’s Bell Labs and Nokia’s FutureWorks and Nokia Technologies, will stay as separate entities which are known to foster changes in the future.

The two companies have decided that the combined company will be called Nokia Corporation, and will be headquartered in Finland and a strong presence in France. Risto Siilasmaa is planned to serve as Chairman, and Rajeev Suri as Chief Executive Officer. The combined company’s Board of Directors is planned to have nine or ten members, including three members from Alcatel-Lucent, one of whom would serve as Vice Chairman

Rajeev Suri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia, said “Together, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia intend to lead in next-generation network technology and services, with the scope to create seamless connectivity for people and things wherever they are. Our innovation capability will be extraordinary, bringing together the R&D engine of Nokia with that of Alcatel-Lucent and its iconic Bell Labs. We will continue to combine this strength with the highly efficient, lean operations needed to compete on a global scale. We have hugely complementary technologies and the comprehensive portfolio necessary to enable the internet of things and transition to the cloud. We will have a strong presence in every part of the world, including leading positions in the United States and China. Together, we expect to have the scale to lead in every area in which we choose to compete, drive profitable growth, meet the needs of global customers, develop new technologies, build on our successful intellectual property licensing, and create value for our shareholders. For all these reasons, I firmly believe that this is the right deal, with the right logic, at the right time.”

Michel Combes, Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel-Lucent, added: “A combination of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent will offer a unique opportunity to create a European champion and global leader in ultra-broadband, IP networking and cloud applications. I am proud that the joined forces of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent are ready to accelerate our strategic vision, giving us the financial strength and critical scale needed to achieve our transformation and invest in and develop the next generation of network technology. This transaction comes at the right time to strengthen the European technology industry. We believe our customers will benefit from our improved innovation capability and incomparable R&D engine under the Bell Labs brand. The global scale and footprint of the new company will reinforce its presence in the United States and China. The proposed transaction represents a compelling offer for our shareholders both in terms of upfront premium and long term value creation potential. Shareholders of Alcatel-Lucent now have the opportunity to participate in the future upside of the industrial project that they have supported during the last two years, through a stronger combined business with greater global scale and a better position for the longer term. The new company will also provide our employees exciting opportunities to be part of a global leader.”

About Nokia

Nokia Oyj is a Finnish multinational communications and information technology company. Nokia has headquarters in Espoo, Helsinki metropolitan area. In 2014, Nokia employed 61,656 people across 120 countries, conducts sales in more than 150 countries and reported annual revenues of around €12.73 billion. Nokia is a public limited-liability company listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange It is the world’s 274th-largest company measured by 2013 revenues according to the Fortune Global 500. Nokia stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/nok

About Alcatel – Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent is a French global telecommunications equipment company, with headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. It major lie up focuses on fixed, mobile, and converged networking hardware, IP technologies, software, and services. Alcatel-Lucent has operations in more than 130 countries. Alcatel – Lucent stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/alu

CollabRx and Medytox Solutions, Inc., in a Definitive Merger Agreement Strengthens Health Care Delivery to Customers

April 19, 2015 by Sabin Piso

CollabRx and Medytox Solutions, Inc. announced today that they have decided to a definitive merger agreement. Closing of this agreement is subject to stockholder approvals from both companies, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

The terms of the agreement states that CollabRx equity holders will own a 10% stake in the combined company and Medytox equity holders will own 90% of the combined company, according to the number of equity securities outstanding immediately following the merger, and excluding convertible preferred shares and notes that have been issued by Medytox, as well as option grants that are expected to be made pertaining to the closing. The agreement has been unanimously approved and adopted by the Boards of Directors of both CollabRx and Medytox,

Medytox is one of the owners and operators of the largest healthcare companies. The health care giant has clinical testing laboratories, an electronic medical records provider, a laboratory information systems company and a medical billing company under its supervision and ownership. On the other hand, CollabRx is a leading informatics company that has complex molecular and genetic testing interpretation for cancer.

Seamus Lagan, CEO of Medytox Solutions, Inc. provided his comment regarding the merger: “We expect that this merger will dramatically speed up our growth,” He added “Furthermore, the addition of CollabRx adds great depth to our company and places Medytox among the most elite, most innovative healthcare enterprises operating in the industry today. Together, we will show the world how state-of-the-art technology and vertical integration can improve health outcomes, and return value to shareholders in the process.”

Thomas Mika, CEO of CollabRx, mentioned in a special interview regarding the merger “I cannot be more enthusiastic about this outcome for all CollabRx stakeholders, including our shareholders, customers, team members and advisors. CollabRx will continue its mission to better inform decision-making in cancer within a high-growth, profit-oriented company, while being able to support several exciting Medytox initiatives in precision medicine.”

Seamus Lagan will be CEO of the combined company. Thomas Mika and Dr. Paul Billings will be appointed to the combined company’s seven-member board, along with the five current directors of Medytox. Thomas R. Mika will serve as Executive Chairman and CEO of CollabRx, Inc. He will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the combined companies.

About CollabRx

CollabRx, Inc. is a company that provides cloud-based systems in determining clinical treatments for molecular diseases such as cancer. It uses dynamically updated molecular disease models that form the basis of the expert systems. CollabRx is a Delaware corporation, formed with the formerly named Tegal Corporation, which acquired the privately held company, also known as CollabRx, on July 12, 2012. The company uses technology specially created for DNA testing laboratories, with goals of translating patient-specific genetic characterization to patient-specific clinical treatment advice for molecular diseases. CollabRx is partner to Life Technologies, OncoDNA and Sengenics. CollabRx sponsors the Lung Cancer Therapy Finder on Medpagetoday.com. CollabRx stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/clrx

About Thomas R. Mika

Thomas R. Mika, MBA is the President & CEO of CollabRx. He also holds the positions of Chairman, President and Acting Chief Financial Officer of CollabRx, Inc. Previously; Mika founded IMTEC, a boutique investment firm focused on health care, pharmaceuticals, media and information technology. Mika was a managing consultant with Cresap, McCormick & Paget and a policy analyst for the National Science Foundation, where he was a member of the initial three-person team that developed and published the landmark Science Indicators, the biennial report of the National Science Board to the President of the United States. Thomas R. Mika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

About Medytox Solutions, Inc.

Medytox Solutions, Inc. is a developer of technology and systems for medical testing thereby an affordable and superior service to medical providers. Medytox offers its clients a complete solution, with faster turnaround times and more reliable and accurate results, in a manner that is safe, secure and HIPAA-compliant. Medytox Solutions, Inc. stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/mmms

About Seamus Lagan

Seamus Lagan is the Chief Executive Officer of Medytox Solutions. His services are according to a consulting agreement with Alcimede LLC. Mr. Lagan was instrumental in forming the structure of and securing the funding for the Company to develop its current business plan. Mr. Lagan has been the CEO of the two main Subsidiaries of the Company: sales and marketing and the other that enters into agreement with or completes the acquisitions and development of Clinical Laboratories.

Nokia is in Merger Discussions with Alcatel – Lucent for a Future Tie – Up

April 18, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Finland’s Nokia revealed that it is in “advanced” merger discussions with Alcatel-Lucent, after the two companies have been rumored to be discussing a potential partnership. Nokia’s shares have fallen up to 6 percent after the news of the potential merger and on the other hand, Alcatel-Lucent stocks were up to 15 percent higher.

According to a reliable source, the potential merger would be in the form of a public exchange offer by Nokia for Alcatel – Lucent. The statement also included some words of caution: “There could be no certainty at this point that these discussions will result in any agreement or transaction.”

It is unclear at this point if Nokia would acquire all of Alcatel-Lucent’s assets, or it is only eyeing its wireless arm. Credit Suisse rated stock of both Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent on Monday, and mentioned that a fair value for the Alcatel – Lucent company’s wireless business would be 2-2.5 billion euros ($2.1-2.7 billion). Credit Suisse representative mentioned: “We believe that such a potential deal would allow Nokia to significantly improve its presence in the U.S. with AT&T and Verizon (where Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent are key suppliers).”

Indeed, combining Nokia and Alcatel – Lucent would result in a major powerhouse in Europe and potentially a potential entry to US markets but could affect jobs. In response to this uncertainty, French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that if ever a deal with transpire between the two companies, there will be no job cuts in France. This announcement followed a meeting at the French Elysee between the chief executives of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent and French President Francois Hollande.

“It’s a good move for Alcatel-Lucent because it is a move for the future, because we are building, with this tie-up, a new conquest for Alcatel-Lucent, which was a company in great difficulty two years ago,” Macron also commented.

About Nokia

Nokia Oyj is a Finnish multinational communications and information technology company. Nokia has headquarters in Espoo, Helsinki metropolitan area. In 2014, Nokia employed 61,656 people across 120 countries, conducts sales in more than 150 countries and reported annual revenues of around €12.73 billion. Nokia is a public limited-liability company listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange It is the world’s 274th-largest company measured by 2013 revenues according to the Fortune Global 500.

Nokia is also a significant contributor to the mobile telephony industry, having assisted in development of the GSM and LTE standards, and was, for a period, the largest vendor of mobile phones in the world. It is the biggest supplier of the smartphone industry through its Symbian platform, but it was soon overshadowed by the growing dominance of Apple’s iPhone line and Android devices. Nokia eventually entered into a pact with Microsoft in 2011 to exclusively use its Windows Phone platform on future smartphones. Nokia stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/nok

About Alcatel – Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent is a French global telecommunications equipment company, with headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. It major lie up focuses on fixed, mobile, and converged networking hardware, IP technologies, software, and services. Alcatel-Lucent has operations in more than 130 countries. Alcatel-Lucent has been named Industry Group Leader for Technology Hardware & Equipment sector in the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices review ^]and listed in the 2014 Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators for the 4th year in a row.

Alcatel-Lucent’s chief executive officer is Michel Combes and the non-executive chairman of the board is Philippe Camus. After seven consecutive years of negative cash flows, in October 2013 the company announced plans to slash 10,000 employees, or 14% of the total current 72,000 workforce, as a part of a €1 billion cost reduction effort.

In June 2013, Michel Combes has announced a new strategy calling it “The Shift Plan is a three-year plan including portfolio refocusing on IP networking, ultra-broadband access and cloud; 1 billion Euro in cost savings; selective asset sales intended to generate at least 1 billion Euro over the period of the plan and the restructuring of the Group’s debt. On October 1, 2014, Alcatel-Lucent has announced its take to improving employee training and this is through the Post & Telecommunication Economy Development Center.

Alcatel-Lucent is the o Bell Laboratories. Belli has the largest research and development facilities in the industry. Bell Labs has more than thousands of employees and has been awarded eight Nobel Prizes and the company holds over 29,000 patents. Alcatel – Lucent stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/alu

Dow Chemical Company Merges with Olin Corporation Creating Industry Leader in Chlor – Alkali and Derivatives

March 31, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Dow Chemical Company partners with Olin Corporation to create an industry leader in chlor-alkalia and derivatives. This transaction is highly accretive to Dow, with a tax efficient consideration of $5 Billion. According to the deal, Dow is to separate a significant portion of its chlor-alkali and downstream derivatives businesses and merge these with Olin in a tax-efficient Reverse Morris Trust transaction. Dow shareholder value will increase through the ownership of shares in the combined company.

According to sources, the transaction is highly complementary to objectives of both companies, with a significant potential to enhance value for both sets of shareholders. Transaction is highly accretive to Dow and Dow shareholders, with a tax efficient consideration of $5 billion, and a taxable equivalent value of $8 billion.

The agreement terms specify that Dow separates its U.S. Gulf Coast Chlor-Alkali and Vinyl, Global Chlorinated Organics and Global Epoxy businesses, and then merge these with Olin in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction. This results in Dow shareholders receiving approximately 50.5 percent of the shares of Olin and existing Olin shareholders owning approximately 49.5 percent. The merger is valued at $5 billion, and includes $2.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents to be paid to Dow; an estimated $2.2 billion in Olin common stock using the Olin stock value as of close on March 25, 2015. The transaction is subject to approval by Olin shareholders and completion of customary closing conditions, including relevant tax authority rulings and regulatory approvals.

“By combining Dow’s world-class assets and people with Olin, we are creating a premier company with the scope and capabilities to optimally leverage long-term growth opportunities in the marketplace and generate significant shareholder value,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We have jointly created a solid foundation for success for Olin, driven by the benefits of greater scale, an enhanced ability to capitalize on globally advantaged cost positions backed by U.S. shale gas economics, technology advantages, broader market access and significant envelope integration.”

Liveris added, “This milestone is a powerful shift in our portfolio towards targeted, integrated high performance sectors and end-markets that will drive further margin expansion, earnings growth, and return on capital – with a deal structure designed to maximize total shareholder return. With this transaction we will exceed our target to divest $7 billion to $8.5 billion of non-strategic businesses and assets. This achievement will allow us to have an ongoing focus to continue to enhance shareholder remuneration, reduce debt and continue to invest in future growth in our high priority and high margin businesses.”

“This transaction is a natural fit to our strategic objectives – creating a sustainable, long-term growth platform and enhanced shareholder and customer value,” said Joseph D. Rupp, Olin’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Supported by significant integration and scale, premier low-cost assets, an upgraded and diversified product mix, and valuable network and other synergies, we will be able to better serve and grow with our customers. We are excited to combine the strengths of our businesses and capitalize on the significant opportunities inherent in this transaction.”

Olin Corporation will continue to be led by Rupp along with a senior management team comprised of both Dow and Olin current employees. Olin’s Board of Directors will consist of the existing nine Olin Company directors and three new members to be designated by Dow.

About Dow

Dow is a company that uses chemical, physical and biological sciences to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems. These challenges include the need for clean water, clean energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. In 2014, Dow had annual sales of more than $58 billion and employed approximately 53,000 people all over the world. Dow stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/dow

About Andrew N. Liveris

Andrew N. Liveris is President, Chairman and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Company. Liveris has been a member of Dow’s board of directors since February 2004, CEO since November 2004 and was elected as chairman of the board effective 1 April 2006.

About Olin Corporation

Olin Corporation has three business segments: Chlor Alkali Products, Chemical Distribution and Winchester. Chlor Alkali Products, with eight U.S. manufacturing facilities and one Canadian manufacturing facility, produces chlorine and caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products and potassium hydroxide. Chemical Distribution manufactures bleach products and distributes caustic soda, bleach products, potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Winchester, with its principal manufacturing facilities in East Alton, IL and Oxford, MS, produces and distributes sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges. Olin stock market evolution: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/oln

About Joseph D. Rupp

Mr. Joseph D. Rupp, also known as Joe, has been the Chief Executive Officer at Olin Corporation since January 2002 and also as its Chairman since June 30, 2005. Mr. Rupp served as a Director at American Chemistry Council Inc. Mr. Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla.

British Insurer Aviva Takeover Friends Life for 5.6 Billion Pounds

March 29, 2015 by Sabin Piso

Shareholders of British insurers Aviva and Friends Life voted on Thursday for Aviva’s 5.6 billion pound takeover of Friends Life. Aviva’s share price suffered a blow after the terms of the merger were announced late last year. Apparently some investors and analysts were worried about the size of cost savings as well as the trouble of combining a range of IT systems. However, others said the merger made sense since it follows after UK government reforms that have put increasing pressure on insurance companies that offer pension services.

More than 99 percent of shareholders who voted were in favor of the deal, Aviva said in a regulatory filing after a general meeting. The successful insurance company needed the agreement of more than 50 percent of the votes cast. On the other hand more than 90 percent of Friends Life shareholders also voted in favor. This was revealed in a Friends Life general meeting in a separate filing. Friends Life said it expected its stock to delist on April 10.

Reports further state that holders of Friends Life stock will each receive 0.74 new Aviva shares for each Friends share. Aviva and Friends Life shareholders have agreed to the merger and this will create a huge insurance firm with more than 16m customers.

Around 99.9pc of the Friends Life investors that support the deal has overwhelmingly passed the 75pc threshold required for the two companies to combine. Aviva investors, on the other hand were less supportive. Around 99.8pc of voting shareholders supported the deal. The votes from all the shareholders represented the final major hurdle before this merger can be finally completed. The companies won clearance earlier this month from the European competition authorities. Clearance was also provided by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK.

This insurance company merger will take effect on April 10, before the shares begin trading for a single entity on April 13. Work can begin on phasing out the Friends Life brand after the deal closes and along with this is cutting about 1,500 jobs as part of the cost-saving program behind the combination.

Friends Life was created from the amalgamation of several pension portfolios has served 0one in every seven British savers with a focus on defined contribution pensions. With this merger it will represent one in four customers.

Andy Briggs is the chief executive of Friends Life. Mr. Briggs will become responsible for customers as head of the combined companies’ life insurance businesses. On Aviva’s end, Mark Wilson will remain as chief executive after the merger. “We are delighted that our shareholders have today voted in favor of the recommended all-share acquisition by Aviva,” said Mr. Briggs. “The Friends Life board believes that the combination of the two businesses offers attractive growth opportunities for the shareholders of the enlarged group, as the increased scale will help drive better profitability, and improved service as our customers will benefit from access to a broader range of products.”

Further details of this merger will be provided as this will take effect on the first weeks of April.

By AL Mijares

About Aviva

Aviva plc is a British multinational insurance company with headquarters in London, United Kingdom. Aviva has more than 31 million customers all across 16 countries. In the UK Aviva is the largest general insurer and life and pensions provider. It has five markets in Europe and, in Asia; the company is focused on the growth markets of China and South East Asia. Aviva is also the second largest general insurer in Canada. The company has a listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Aviva stock market evolution: http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB0002162385GBGBXSET1

About Friends Life

Friends Life Group Limited is a Guernsey-incorporated investment company. Recently, Friends Life has stated intent of forcing consolidation in the British life insurance industry with Aviva. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Friends Life stock market evolution: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q?s=FLG.L

About Andy Briggs

Andy Briggs worked for Friends Life as CEO in June 2011. Previously, he was with Lloyds Banking Group in January 2007 as Managing Director, Marketing and Distribution in Scottish Widows. He was appointed CEO of Scottish Widows Group’s General Insurance businesses in December 2008. Before working as CEO, Briggs has spent 19 years at Prudential Group where he concentrated on Intermediated which focuses on face to face and online businesses both in the UK and in other countries. He also become CEO of the Retirement Income business.

Knightsbridge Tankers Ltd. Mergers with Golden Ocean Group Limited

October 13, 2014 by Sabin Piso

Knightsbridge Tankers Ltd merges with Ocean Group Limited for 61.5 million in shares.

Knightsbridge Tankers Ltd and Golden Ocean Group Limited announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement and plan of merger. Pursuant to which the two companies have agreed to merge, with Knightsbridge as the surviving legal entity.

The Combined Company will be renamed Golden Ocean Group Limited upon completion of the merger. As a result of the expected merger, the Combined Company would be the world’s leading dry bulk companies that has a modern fleet of 72 vessels, of which 36 are new buildings under construction.

The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of Golden Ocean and Knightsbridge in a separate special general meeting expected to be held in December 2014 or January 2015. The merger is also expected to close shortly thereafter. Definitive documents will be completed and customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals will be enforced.

Knightsbridge’s ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) and Golden Ocean’s ordinary shares are currently listed for on the Oslo Stock Exchange (the “OSE”) as well as the Singapore Stock Exchange. The Combined Company will apply for a secondary listing of its ordinary shares on the OSE. It will also push that after the merger its ordinary shares will be listed for trading on NASDAQ and the OSE. Golden Ocean shareholders at the time the merger is completed will receive shares in Knightsbridge. Golden Ocean will give the right to receive 0.13749 shares in Knightsbridge, and Knightsbridge will issue a total of 61.5 million shares to shareholders in Golden Ocean as merger consideration.

Mr. John Fredriksen, Mr. Gert-Jan van der Akker and Mrs. Kate Blankenship will be added to the Board of Directors of the Combined Company as a result of the merger. Mr. Ola Lorentzon will continue as Chairman of the Board for the Combined Company. Mr. Gert-Jan van der Akker is Senior Head of Region at Louis Dreyfus Commodities (“LDC”).

Golden Ocean’s current corporate management team and employees of which currently is the commercial manager of the Knightsbridge dry bulk fleet. Herman Billung, who is the principal executive officer of Golden Ocean, will act as the principal executive officer of the Combined Company, and Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal, who currently serves as the principal financial officer of Golden Ocean, will serve as the principal financial officer of the Combined Company.

Ola Lorentzon, Chairman and CEO of Knightsbridge, and Chairman of Golden Ocean Group Limited, John Fredriksen stated: “By combining Knightsbridge and Golden Ocean we seek to create a company with a unique fleet and strong balance sheet and build one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies. With the current weakness in the dry bulk market, we believe there will be attractive consolidation opportunities going forward. Our ambition is to be a clear market leader both from a financial and operational perspective. Upon an expected recovery of the dry bulk market and as newbuilds are brought into the fleet, we believe the Combined Company will generate significant cash flow. The intention is to pay out excess cash as dividends in the Board’s discretion.”

After the merger is completed, the Combined Company expects to have a fleet of 46 Capesize vessels, 10 ice class Panamax vessels, 8 Kamsarmax vessels and 8 Supramax vessels, of which 36 are new buildings under construction. In addition the Combined Company expects to have a small number of leased vessels and one vessel owned through a joint venture. More details of the merger will be announced as meetings regarding the transaction commences in December 2014 or in January 2015.

Original article from Street Insider.

A.L.Mijares

About Knightsbridge Shipping Limited

Knightsbridge Shipping Limited was incorporated in Bermuda on September 18, 1996. It is an international tanker company and its primary business activity is the international seaborne transportation of crude oil. Knightsbridge Shipping Limited stock market evolution:

http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/vlccf

About Golden Ocean Group Limited

Golden Ocean Group is a Bermuda registered; Norway based dry bulk shipping company. The company was created as a demerged part of Frontline in 2004 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. 40.3% of the company is indirectly owned by John Fredriksen, through Holding. The fleet consists of 24 owned vessels (20 under construction), 22 chartered vessels (7 with purchase options), 7 bare boat vessels (all with purchase options), 10 vessels under commercial management (8 ore-bulk-oil carrier, two capesizes under construction) and 9 sold up on yard delivery. 16 of these are capesize while 56 are panamax, of which 1 capesize and 8 panamaxes are sold when delivered from yard. Management of the fleet is carried out by the Norwegian company Golden Ocean Group Management AS led by Herman Billung. Golden Ocean Group Limited stock market evolution:

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=GOGL:NO

The European Commission Authorizes Facebook, Inc. and WatsApp Inc, Merger

October 11, 2014 by Sabin Piso

The European Commission has authorized, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of WhatsApp Inc. by Facebook, Inc.

Facebook through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are very popular online programs. Both offer applications for smartphones which allow consumers to communicate through text, photo, voice and video messages.

The European Commission has found that Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are not close competitors. Being so means that consumers would still be able to have a wide choice of apps that they can choose from after the transaction. The investigation also showed that the resulting company will continue to face sufficient competition after the merger.

Commission Vice President in charge of competition policy, Joaquín Almunia, said: “Consumer communications apps keep European citizens connected and are becoming increasingly popular. While Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are two of the most popular apps, most people use more than one communications app. We have carefully reviewed this proposed acquisition and come to the conclusion that it would not hamper competition in this dynamic and growing market. Consumers will continue to have a wide choice of consumer communications apps.”

The Commission found that Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are not close competitors. Facebook Messenger is a standalone app, the user experience is specific with the Facebook social network. WhatsApp users on the other hand provide consumer access to the service through phone numbers. Facebook Messenger requires users to have a Facebook profile. Furthermore the Commission also assessed that there is a very dynamic market with several competing apps available for consumers like Line, Viber, iMessage, Telegram, WeChat and Google Hangouts.

When it comes to social networking services, the Commission’s market investigation showed that there is a continuous evolution in the two companies’ services. Some third parties mentioned that WhatsApp is deemed as a social network and thus competes with Facebook. The Commission however found that Facebook and WhatsApp are distant competitors in this area, in particular given a “substantially richer experience” offered by Facebook.

It was also noted that there is a large number of alternative service providers, which includes other consumer communications apps, such as Line and WeChat. In the event of integration between WhatsApp and Facebook, Facebook’s position in social networking services could be strengthened because of the transaction. The net gain, when it comes to increasing new members of the social network would be limited, since user base of WhatsApp overlaps to a significant extent with that of Facebook.

WhatsApp is not active in online advertising, however the Commission examined whether the transaction could improve Facebook’s position in that market and affect the competition. The Commission examined the possibility that Facebook could cause the following:

(i) introduce advertising on WhatsApp, and/or

(ii) use WhatsApp as a potential source of user data for improving the targeting of Facebook’s advertisements. The Commission concluded that, regardless of whether Facebook would introduce advertising on WhatsApp and/or start collecting WhatsApp user data, the transaction would not raise competition concerns. This is because after the merger, there will continue to be a sufficient number of alternative providers to Facebook for the supply of targeted advertising, and a large amount of internet user data that are valuable for advertising purposes are not within Facebook’s exclusive control.

The Commission analysed potential data concentration issues only to the extent that it could hamper competition in the online advertising market. Privacy-related concerns resulting from the increased concentration of data within the control of Facebook due to the transaction do not fall within the scope of EU competition law.

And therefore the Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns. The transaction was notified to the Commission on 29 August 2014.

Original text available at Europa.eu Press Releases Database.

A.L. Mijares

About Facebook

Facebook provides social network online platforms offering a range of social services, including consumer communications and photo / video sharing functionalities to consumers and advertisers. Facebook offers the social networking platform “Facebook”, the consumer communications app “Facebook Messenger” and the photo and video-sharing platform “Instagram”.

These may be accessed by members through the internet on PCs and via specific apps on mobile devices. Facebook also provides online advertising space. Facebook therefore collects data regarding the users of its social networking platforms and analyses them in order to serve advertisements on behalf of advertisers. Facebook ads are “targeted” at each particular user of its social networking platforms. Facebook’s social networking platform has 1.3 billion users worldwide, 300 million of which are also users of the Facebook Messenger app. Facebook stock market evolution:

http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/fb

About WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the provider of a messaging app enabling users to exchange multimedia instant messages. WhatsApp is currently available only on mobile computing devices or smart phones and it does not engage in any advertising service. WhatsApp has 600 million users worldwide.

IBERIABANK Corp Acquires Florida Bank Group, Inc.

October 9, 2014 by Sabin Piso

IBERIABANK Corp strengthens its hold in the Tampa Bay area by merging with Florida Bank Group, Inc.

IBERIABANK Corp and Florida Bank Group, Inc. have announced the signing of a definitive agreement for IBKC to acquire Florida Bank Group through a merger. The proposed merger of Florida Bank Group with and into IBKC has been approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. This includes the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the Florida Bank Group’s shareholders approvals.

Susan Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Florida Bank Group, has commented in an exclusive interview, “Our organization has undergone tremendous change and we are very proud of our people and the strong teamwork they exhibited over the last several years. We faced a very challenging operating environment and executed very well on our plan. I am particularly proud of our effective and efficient delivery of high-quality client service. We are very excited to be joining forces with IBERIABANK and together grow to become the leading financial institution serving our clients and communities.”

On the other hand, Daryl G. Byrd, President and Chief Executive Officer of IBKC, has commented, “Susie Martinez, her team, and the Florida Bank Group Board of Directors have done an outstanding job in rebuilding their organization and preparing for future client growth opportunities. We are very excited to be teaming up with them and entering the Tampa Bay market in such a high-quality manner. The Tampa Bay area has a very strong concentration of commercial and industrial companies, which is a segment of banking in which our company excels. With the addition of Florida Bank Group, we will extend our brand throughout the west coast of central and south Florida and into Jacksonville in northeast Florida.”

Florida Bank Group shareholders will receive a combination of cash and IBKC common stock. Common shares are assumed to total approximately 5,051,745 shares at closing, assuming approximately 2,471,745 common shares outstanding, approximately 2,480,000 common shares associated with the conversion of the convertible preferred stock into common shares, and 100,000 warrants outstanding that are assumed to be exercised prior to closing of the transaction.

The following considerations are expected when the transaction has been finalized:

Florida Bank Group shareholders shall receive cash equal to $7.81 per share of then outstanding Florida Bank Group common stock. This includes shares of preferred stock that will convert to common shares in the merger. Aggregate cash consideration is approximately $39.4 million.

Each Florida Bank Group common share will be exchanged for 0.149 share of IBKC common stock, subject to certain market price adjustments provided for in the merger agreement.

At September 30, 2014, Florida Bank Group had 374,400 unvested stock option shares outstanding with an exercise price of $7.74 per share. Florida Bank Group stock options and warrants that remain outstanding immediately prior to closing, whether or not vested, will be cashed out at consummation of the merger. Based on IBKC’s closing stock price on October 2, 2014, of $62.61, the cash value for optional shares would be $3.5 million.

IBKC’s capital ratios will be slightly reduced due to this merger and be less than 1% dilutive to tangible book value per share on a pro forma basis at closing. The tangible book value dilution is expected to be earned in a span of two years. The estimated internal rate of return for the transaction is expected to be greater than 20%.

A.L. Mijares

About Iberiabank

IBERIABANK Corporation is a financial holding company with offices in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Florida and representatives of IBERIA Wealth Advisors in four states, and one IBERIA Capital Partners, L.L.C. office in New Orleans. IBERIABANK holds the #1 market share position along with a comprehensive retail, commercial, and private banking franchise. IBERIABANK ranks second in market share in Northeast Louisiana with an outstanding retail system and growing commercial and private banking presence. IBERIABANK stock market evolution:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=IBKC

About Daryl G. Byrd

Mr. Daryl G. Byrd has been President and Chief Executive Officer at Iberiabank Corp. since July 2000 and July 1999 respectively. Mr. Byrd has been … a Director of Iberiabank Corp. and Iberiabank since 1999. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Samford University in 1976 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1978.

About Florida Bank Group

Florida Bank Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Florida Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States. It accepts various deposit products, including demand interest bearing and non-interest bearing accounts, money market deposit accounts, NOW accounts, direct deposits, and time deposit accounts. Florida Bank Group operates approximately 14 full service banking centers in the Florida counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Duval, Leon, Manatee, and St. Johns. It is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

About Susan Martinez

Ms. Susan Martinez has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Florida Bank Group, Inc. and Florida Bank since November 18, 2010 and also serves as its Director. Ms. Martinez served as the Senior Executive Vice President and President of Florida region at Regions Financial Corp. until December 31, 2007.

General Electric Sells GE Appliances Brand to Electrolux for $3.3 Billion

September 10, 2014 by Sabin Piso

Home appliance king Electrolux sets to buy GE Appliances from GE; General Electric secures increased profits by 2016

A definitive agreement has been signed between General Electric and Electrolux. The transaction is regarding GE’s plan to sell its appliance brand to Electrolux for $3.3 billion. This is a long term agreement between the two appliance giants to continue GE’s legacy and technology. GE and Electrolux board of directors has approved the transaction and will wait for customary closing conditions as well as regulatory approvals. This partnership is set to close in 2015.

Jeff Immelt, General Electric Chairman and CEO has commented in an interview that this recent transaction with Electrolux is consistent with GE’s commitment to provide the best infrastructure and technology. He mentioned: “We are creating a new type of industrial company, one with a balanced, competitively positioned portfolio of infrastructure businesses with strong advantages in technology, growth markets, driving customer outcomes, and a culture of simplification.”

In 2014, General Electric has undergone massive changes in order to improve its portfolio. One of the most recent steps to reshape the company was taken in June when GE’s offer for Alstom’s Power and Grid was accepted by the board of directors of Alstrom. GE is known as a technology leader when it comes to power and water and is also known to have a higher growth margin when it comes to these industries.

This agreement between General Electric and Electrolux is a part of the company’s 2014 portfolio which highlights longer –term redeployment of GE’s capital from non-core assets like media, plastics and insurance to oil and gas, aviation, power and healthcare which are considered high-margin businesses. By strategizing their portfolio, it is estimated that General Electric will achieve 75% of its profits from its partner industrial businesses by the year 2016.

Immelt continued to comment on the latest sell out: “GE Appliances is a great business and we are proud of the role it has played in GE’s history.” He added “Electrolux is the right global business for our customers, consumers and employees. We have greatly strengthened this franchise in the past few years. GE Appliances’ people, valuable home appliances brand, products, distribution, and service capabilities make it a perfect fit with Electrolux and its goal of accelerating growth in the US. Like GE Appliances, Electrolux has nearly 100-year history in home appliances and they share the same principles of quality, innovation and customer value as GE. They are committed to supporting the growth of GE Appliances and value the GE Appliances team and its capabilities.”

On the other hand, Keith McLoughlin, President and CEO of Electrolux also complemented General Electric’s value as a consumer brand. “GE Appliances is a well-run operation with strong capabilities in key areas such as R&D, engineering, supply chain and consumer service.” He further added that Electrolux is looking forward to joining forces with General Electric and its team of talented and competent workers and employees.

The sale of GE Appliance to Electrolux will generate an approximate after tax gain of $0.05 to $0.07 per share at closing. It is estimated that the transaction values of GE Appliance is at 8.0 times the last 12 months of earnings and this is before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. General Electric’s financial adviser is Goldman Sachs and Sidney Austin LLP is the company’s legal advisor.

Details of this sale will be provided by representatives of General Electric and AB Electrolux after formalities have been settled and the partnership closed next year.

A.L. Mijares

About General Electric

General Electric or GE is a multinational conglomerate corporation in the US with headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut and incorporated in New York. GE is behind segments such as energy, technology infrastructure, capital finance and consumer and industrial. The company ranked 26^th in the Fortune 500 list according to revenue and the 14^th as the most profitable in 2011.

http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/ge.

About Jeff Immelt

Jeffery Robert “Jeff” Immelt is an American business executive and current chairman of the board and chief executive officer of General Electric Company. He has held leadership seats in GE since 1982 and these include GE Plastics, Healthcare and Appliances.

About AB Electrolux

AB Electrolux is a leader in kitchen appliances, indoor and outdoor cleaning equipment and professional appliances for businesses. AB Electrolux is a Swedish multinational company with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. It is the second-largest manufacturer of appliances when it comes to units sold. Electrolux stock market evolution:

http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/eluxy.

About Keith McLoughlin

Keith McLoughlin is the President and CEO of AB Electrolux since 2011. Keith is responsible for research and development, manufacturing and purchasing for Electrolux Major Appliances. Before he joined Electrolux, he held management positions in DuPont Corporation, Tyvek, Stainmaster and Corian.

Holcim and Lafarge working on $40 Billion merger ?

April 5, 2014 by Sabin Piso

Holcim and Lafarge which are currently no. 1 and no. 2 on the cement market had some discussions about a possible merger. The new company will probably have $40 billion in sales and will be able to get a lot of cost cutting opportunities in energy cost, production with no overcapacity, etc. Lafarge previously purchased Orascom in 2008 and Holcim also did an acquisition of Aggregate Industries in 2005. But, both these deals were done before the financial crisis.

Regarding regulatory authorities, nobody knows what might happen. Most probably they will encounter some problem in France, Span and Germany as it is highly probable that the authorities will also impose a asset sale of some factories.

Both companies have a total of 136000 employees (Lafarge = 65000 and Holcim = 71000).