AstraZeneca rejects Pfizer's last-ditch offer
19th May 2014 07:13
AstraZeneca's board has rejected a final offer from US pharmaceutical rival Pfizer, saying the new proposal still undervalues the company and would present 'significant risks for shareholders'. Pfizer lifted its cash-and-shares bid to £55 a share, up from the previous £50-a-share offer made on May
Read morePfizer makes 'final proposal' for AstraZeneca
19th May 2014 06:50
- Offer raised to 55 pounds a share - Pfizer calls on Astra to begin substantive engagement - 'Time for constructive engagement is running out' Pfizer has sweetened its offer for AstraZeneca again in what is thought to be a last-ditch attempt to take over the UK pharmaceutical rival. The US group
Read moreSunday newspaper round-up: AstraZeneca, Carney and housing, M&S
18th May 2014 10:57
Pfizer is weighing up a last-minute improvement to its indicative offer for AstraZeneca, the Sunday Times said. Pfizer is expected to increase the cash portion of its offer and could also increase the price per share before the May 26th deadline to secure a deal. It is also in talks with the Governm
Read moreAstrazeneca upbeat on latest oncology developments
15th May 2014 07:56
AstraZeneca has said its cancer pipeline 'has the potential to redefine the way that cancer patients are treated' as it provided updates on several drug candidates ahead of an industry conference. The FTSE 100 company issued a statement ahead of the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Cl
Read moreThursday newspaper round-up: Exporters, Pfizer, Saudi Arabia
15th May 2014 07:24
Growing confidence among Britain's army of exporters has fuelled hopes that the government can meet its ambitious target of doubling overseas sales to 1trn pounds by 2020. In their latest health check of the sector, the British Chambers of Commerce and DHL Express found that 71 per cent expected tur
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Aggreko lifted by Citigroup note
14th May 2014 15:15
Aggreko rose strongly today after Citigroup reiterated its 'buy' rating on the stock. Paper and packaging group Mondi was following close behind after it delivered a 13% increase in underlying operating profits in the first quarter despite a "mixed" trading environment and flat sales volumes. Under
Read morePfizer says AstraZeneca deal could help save lives
14th May 2014 12:27
US drugmaker Pfizer on Wednesday defended its proposed takeover of British firm AstraZeneca, saying it could lead to a 'better outcome' for patients. Head of research and development Mikael Dolsten told MPs that merging the two businesses could help prolong the lives of cancer patients despite admi
Read moreAstraZeneca partners Incyte for immunotherapy cancer treatment trial
14th May 2014 07:44
- Tie-up with Incyte to evaluate drug combination - Focused on immunotherapy cancer treatment - Equally co-funding study MedImmune, the biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, has entered into a clinical study collaboration with biopharmaceutical company Incyte Corporation. The stud
Read morePfizer plans job cuts as AstraZeneca slams 'opportunistic' bid - UPDATE
13th May 2014 15:50
Ian Read, Chairman and Chief Executive of Pfizer, said the company would trim job numbers as part of cost-cutting measures if its bid for AstraZeneca was successful, with an improved bid and hostile takeover still on the cards. Facing questions from UK members of parliament about the US company's
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Housebuilders lifted by Taylor Wimpey, easyJet slides
13th May 2014 14:39
Barratt Developments and Persimmon tracked sector peer Taylor Wimpey higher, which rose after giving a bullish outlook alongside a 'new and enhanced set of financial targets'. AstraZeneca was also higher after reiterating its defence to an attempted takeover by US rival Pfizer. AstraZeneca said Pf
Read moreAstraZeneca slams 'opportunistic' Pfizer bid
13th May 2014 11:46
On the day when both company's chiefs were being quizzed by UK members of parliament, AstraZeneca has criticised US pharmaceutical rival Pfizer for what it said was an undervalued and 'opportunistic' takeover bid. "The board of AstraZeneca believes Pfizer is making an opportunistic attempt to acqui
Read moreLondon midday: FTSE 100 trims gains but housing stocks rise
13th May 2014 11:23
- FTSE 100 hits 14-year intraday high - Housing stocks lifted by Taylor Wimpey comments - easyJet, TUI Travel and LSE fall techMARK 2,802.35 +0.28% FTSE 100 6,859.54 +0.11% FTSE 250 16,029.39 +0.30% UK markets had trimmed gains by Tuesday lunchtime after having hit their highest intraday levels in
Read morePfizer considering higher offer for AstraZeneca
13th May 2014 06:50
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is said to be planning to raise its cash-and-shares offer for UK rival AstraZeneca again. According to Bloomberg, which cited unnamed sources, Pfizer could sweeten its bid to "modestly above" the current £50-a-share level, while lifting the cash portion of the offer.
Read moreTuesday newspaper round-up: Ukraine, RBS, AstraZeneca
13th May 2014 06:18
Separatist leaders in Ukraine's volatile Donetsk region formally asked to become part of Russia on Monday, going beyond the simple independence question raised in a referendum and advancing the threat of Ukraine's break-up. The declaration bore some resemblance to the referendum and annexation scena
Read morePfizer defends proposed AstraZeneca deal
12th May 2014 13:25
Pfizer on Monday defended its plan to buy AstraZeneca following a slate of criticism surrounding the proposed deal. The pharmaceutical company also questioned AstraZeneca's ability to stand alone for much longer as the group's Chief Executive Pascal Soriot faced a grilling from MPs over the plan.
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