The soda rivalry continues as Coca-Cola takes a page out of PepsiCo's playbook.
The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) plans to buy the North American operations of its largest bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: CCE) in a $12.3 billion deal. This move comes 24 years after Coca-Cola separated from bottling giant CCE, and six months after PepsiCo's similar purchase of its two largest bottlers.
Coke's initial strategy of separating market and beverage development from product and distribution was initially used to free up the segments' respective balance sheets, while using regional bottlers as a gateway to local retail markets. However, changes in consumer tastes have led to a decline in soda sales, meaning business must change, too.
Take Over
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Coca-Cola Follows PepsiCo's Lead and Buys Its Largest Bottler
Schlumberger's Acquisition of Smith the Latest Evidence of a Takeover Trend
With global energy demand expected to surge over the next decade, straining production, it's no surprise that many of the sector's biggest players are racing to acquire competitors whose expertise will help them thrive in a more competitive environment. And Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) on Sunday became the latest energy giant to bring a competitor […]
GE Sets Up Comcast Venture With Buy of Vivendi's NBC Universal Stake
General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) cleared the way for Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA) to take control of its NBC Universal unit yesterday (Tuesday) when it reached agreement with Vivendi SA to buy the French company's 20% stake for $5.8 billion.
GE Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt and Vivendi Chief Jean-Bernard Levy agreed on a price after they met in France last week, according to multiple sources cited by Reuters and Bloomberg News.
GE Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt and Vivendi Chief Jean-Bernard Levy agreed on a price after they met in France last week, according to multiple sources cited by Reuters and Bloomberg News.
CNOOC Taps Overseas Markets with Awilco Takeover
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor After a disappointing string of failed takeovers, CNOOC Ltd. (ADR: CEO) has reignited its foreign expansion initiative with a $2.49 billion buyout of Norway's Awilco Offshore ASA. China Oilfield Services Ltd., a unit of China's top offshore oil and gas producer will pay $16.66 (85 kroner) a share, an 18.7% […]
Novartis to Buy Nestle's 77% Stake in Alcon
By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Swiss pharmaceutical kingpin Novartis AG (NVS) has agreed to buy Nestle SA's (PINK: NSRGF) 77% stake in U.S. eye care company Alcon, Inc. (ACL) – a deal reportedly worth up to $39 billion, Novartis said in a statement. Novartis will first acquire a 25% stake from Nestlé for $143.18 per […]
Clear Channel Takeover On the Verge of Collapse
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor What would have been one of the biggest acquisitions of the now moldering corporate buyout boom looks to be unraveling as banks, suffering from a drought of liquidity, balk on financing the transaction. Clear Channel Communications (CCU) dropped 16% yesterday after the Wall Street Journal reported the planned takeover of […]
Ratan Tata Hints at Buying Ferrari Stake
By Mike CaggesoAssociate Editor Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said he would like to buy a stake in luxury sports car Ferrari, a unit of Torino, Italy-based Fiat S.p.A (OTC: FIATY). Tata is a Fiat board member and has a marketing and manufacturing alliance with the automaker for his India auto operations. "I have two […]
United Technologies Reveals Details of $2.63 Billion Bid For Diebold
By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Diebold Inc. (DBD), a top maker of voting machines and automated teller machines, rejected an unsolicited $2.63 billion bid from United Technologies Corp. (UTX) yesterday (Monday). The offer amounted to $40 a share, a 66% premium over Diebold's Friday closing price of $24.12. Diebold Chairman John Lauer called the approach […]
Corporate Express Shuns Staples' $3.7 Billion Takeover Offer
By Mike Caggeso Associate Editor Staples Inc.'s (SPLS) $3.7 billion (2.5 billion euro) takeover offer for Dutch rival Corporate Express N.V. (CXP) was promptly rejected yesterday (Tuesday). The all-cash offer valued shares at a 34% premium to Monday's closing price on the Dutch Stock Exchange – sending the company's stock up 38.94% for the day […]
Google Chimes in on Microsoft's Bid For Yahoo
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor Google Inc. (GOOG) didn't waste any time before weighing in on Microsoft Corporation's (MSFT) takeover bid for Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO). Google officials lashed out against Microsoft's supposed motives yesterday [Monday], and even offered to help Yahoo! rebuff the takeover through a partnership of its own. "While the internet rewards competitive […]
Call it MicroHoo! or Yahoo!Soft, the Bottom Line is Microsoft's Bid For Yahoo Faces Many Obstacles
From Staff Reports With its $44.6 billion hostile bid for Internet search pioneer Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO), software giant Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is poised to redefine the deal-making market. According to an analysis of the deal conducted by the San Jose Mercury News, this is more than just a simple acquisition: The hostile buyout bid confirms […]
Microsoft Stuns Yahoo! With $44.6 Billion Takeover Offer
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world's biggest software maker, has made an unsolicited $44.6 billion bid for search engine Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO). Microsoft has offered $31 per share in cash or Microsoft stock, a premium of 62% over Yahoo's closing price Thursday. Yahoo stock rose 53% in pre-market trading, after plummeting […]
Takeover Bid For Societe Generale Unlikely
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor A highly publicized rogue trader scandal has again made Societe Generale (SCGLY) the target of speculation about a possible takeover bid. But that speculation may be premature considering all of the prospective hurdles involved. The collapse of mortgage-backed assets, a depleted U.S. market, and a rogue trader scandal that cost […]
Carlsberg and Heineken Close in on Scottish & Newcastle
Jason Simpkins Associate Editor Carlsberg A/S and Heineken N.V. (HINKY) have upped their offer to buy Scottish & Newcastle PLC for a fourth time, with the hopes of finally winning the company over. Carlsberg and Heineken have raised their offer to $15.2 billion after being repeatedly turned away. The previous offer was $14.8 billion. Scottish […]
BHP Readying Another Rio Bid
By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor After having its first takeover proposal rejected by Rio Tinto PLC (RTP), BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) appears poised take another shot at wooing its fellow mining giant. Rio Chief Executive Officer Tom Albanese rejected BHP's initial $127 billion offer, saying it "significantly undervalued Rio Tinto and its prospects." Albanese also […]