Profitloss Centerstage Events

A probable transaction between Merck &Co and Bayer AG took centerstage on Tuesday, 6 May 2014 among all major events across the globe, and remains the highlight of this week's list of center stage events.
Picture Courtesy: Profit loss

Centerstage events of week 1

Merck & Co Inc. announces its intention to sell its...

Merck & Co Inc. announces its intention to sell its consumer business to Germany's Bayer AG for $14 billion. This strategic move allows Merck to focus on its core pharmaceutical business while providing Bayer with a significant expansion in the consumer health market. The acquisition strengthens Bayer's position in over-the-counter products, vitamins, and other consumer healthcare segments.

Monday, 5 May, 2014

FedEx shakes up the shipping industry by revising its pricing...

FedEx shakes up the shipping industry by revising its pricing strategy for bulky packages. Instead of charging by weight alone, ground packages will now be priced based on size, leading to price increases for over a third of FedEx's U.S. ground shipments. It remains to be seen if United Parcel Service (UPS) will follow suit. This change will impact e-commerce companies and consumers who regularly receive larger, lightweight items.

Tuesday, 6 May, 2014

Bank of Nova Scotia acquires a 20% stake in Canadian...

Bank of Nova Scotia acquires a 20% stake in Canadian Tire Corp.'s banking business for CAD 500 million ($459 million). This move reflects the bank's strategic objective of gaining a larger share of Canada's profitable credit card market. Canadian Tire, known for its auto-parts and sporting goods retailing, operates a financial-services division that offers banking services, insurance, and company-branded credit cards.

Wednesday, 7 May, 2014

Rupert Murdoch plans to merge various European pay TV entities...

Rupert Murdoch plans to merge various European pay TV entities into a single entity valued at $14 billion, according to Bloomberg reports. This consolidation aims to strengthen Murdoch's presence in the European pay TV market and create a more competitive force against existing players. The move aligns with Murdoch's strategy to expand his media empire and tap into the growing demand for digital entertainment platforms.

Thursday, 8 May, 2014

The Independent Electoral Commission announces the results of the 2014...

The Independent Electoral Commission announces the results of the 2014 South African general election, with the African National Congress securing 62.15% of the votes. This victory extends the ANC's longstanding reign in South African politics. The election outcome reaffirms the party's popularity, but also highlights the importance of political diversity and the need for a vibrant multi-party system in the country's democratic landscape.

Friday, 9 May, 2014

Japan's current account surplus reaches its smallest level on record...

Japan's current account surplus reaches its smallest level on record in the fiscal year that ended in March. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to stimulate growth through exports face challenges due to structural changes in the economy. The surplus of ¥789.9 billion ($7.76 billion) is significantly lower than the previous year's ¥4.2 trillion. Dependent on fossil fuel imports and faced with expensive imports, Japan's exports have not seen the anticipated boost despite weakened yen.

Saturday, 10 May, 2014

Vantiv Inc. acquires Mercury Payment Systems LLC from Silver Lake...

Vantiv Inc. acquires Mercury Payment Systems LLC from Silver Lake Group for $1.65 billion. The deal strengthens Vantiv's position in the integrated payments sector. Mercury, with net revenue of $237 million in 2013, serves small and midsize businesses through a network of 3,000 point-of-sale software developers and dealers. Vantiv expects the acquisition to contribute to its net revenue growth and boost adjusted per-share earnings, positioning the company for stronger growth in 2015.

Sunday, 11 May, 2014