Financial News

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis Consumer Health will be relaunching Theraflu for the 2014-2015 cough-cold season, Brian McNamara, Novartis division head OTC, told analysts Wednesday. 

"As you know, in the U.S. business we launched Lamisil and Triaminic and Excedrin end of 2012 and 2013. About halfway through the year, we launched Benefiber. And for next year, we expect to launch Theraflu for that cough and cold season," he said. 

CINCINNATI — Kroger and Harris Teeter supermarkets Wednesday morning announced that the merger transaction between the two companies was completed on Jan. 28, 2014. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Harris Teeter shareholders will receive $49.38 per share of Harris Teeter common stock.

As of Jan. 28 shares of Harris Teeter common stock ceased to trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

SAN FRANCISCO  — McKesson late Thursday afternoon announced that it has reached an agreement with Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH to acquire its entire holding of Celesio shares for 23.50 euros per share (US $32.24 per share). In a separate and subsequent agreement, McKesson also announced the acquisition of Celesio convertible bonds from Elliott. These agreements are not subject to any closing conditions and the transactions are expected to close within 10 business days. 

DALLAS — Following its fourth-quarter results, Kimberly-Clark plans to pursue targeted growth initiatives and support growth opportunities with increased advertising and research spending.

The company’s net sales of $5.3 billion were even with the year-ago period. Organic sales, which exclude the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and lost sales as a result of European strategic changes and pulp and tissue restructuring actions, rose 5%, including an 11% increase in K-C International. 

BOSTON — Private equity firm Palladin Consumer Retail Partners on Thursday announced the acquisition of KT Health, a producer of kinesiology tape and related sports medicine products in the retail market. KT Tape, the company’s flagship product, is used by professional and recreational athletes to prevent injury, reduce pain, promote recovery and maximize comfort.  

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble reported on Friday that second-quarter results were in line with company expectations, and solid growth is projected for the second half of the fiscal year.

Second-quarter net totaled $22.3 billion, unchanged from the year-ago period. Organic sales grew 3%.

Diluted net earnings per share were $1.18, a decrease of 15% versus a base period that included a 21 cents per share holding gain resulting from P&G’s purchase of the balance of its baby care and feminine care joint venture in Iberia.

LAVAL, Quebec — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International on Thursday announced the expiration of the tender offer by a subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Solta Medical for $2.92 per share in cash, without interest (less any applicable withholding taxes). 

The offer expired at midnight on Jan. 23, 2014. 

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — Due in part to the new Walgreens pharmaceutical business, AmerisourceBergen on Thursday reported revenue of $29.2 billion, up 38.5%, for its fiscal year 2014 first quarter ended Dec. 31.

“In our December quarter, we delivered solid results as we onboarded substantial new business,” Steven Collis, AmerisourceBergen president and CEO, said. “We performed well operationally, made meaningful progress through a significant working capital transition, and positioned ourselves well to meet our objectives for the fiscal year.”