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France/Switzerland: Nestle in the lead for deal with Danone

By  |  May 13, 2014

French food product conglomerate Danone is said to be in “advanced” discussions with Swiss confectioner Nestle to divest its medical nutrition operations after healthcare firm Fresenius dropped out of the acquisition race.

According to unnamed sources, Nestle is poised to acquire the nutrition operations, though any buy would face antitrust hurdles in certain western Europe markets, they said. Further, they told reporters, the acquisition could raise more than $4 billion for Danone.

Germany-based Fresenius was once considered a front-runner for the purchase but is reportedly no longer interested in a deal.

All three parties declined to comment on the matter, reports said.

Full content: Business Report

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