Actelion Offers $2.5 B to ZS Pharma, J D Wetherspoon Net Soars

Nigel Thomas
11 Sep, 2015
New York City

Actelion in preliminary talk with the U.S.-based rivals ZS Pharma for $2.5 billion. Gerry Weber profit tumbled 49% but revenues jumped 5%. J D Wetherspoon profit soared 9% on 7% increase in revenues. Jelf received

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Actelion in preliminary talk with the U.S.-based rivals ZS Pharma for $2.5 billion. Gerry Weber profit tumbled 49% but revenues jumped 5%. J D Wetherspoon profit soared 9% on 7% increase in revenues. Jelf received £258 million offer from Marsh & McLennan.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index fell 31.43 or 0.5% to 6,124.28 and in Frankfurt the DAX index decreased 54.48 or 0.5% to 10,155.96.

In Paris, CAC 40 index slipped 38.32 or 0.8% to 4,560.27.

For the week, FTSE 100 index increased 1.4% and the DAX index rose 1.2% and the CAC 40 index gained 0.8%.

Actelion Ltd declined 4.2% to 131.50 Swiss francs after the Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical company is in preliminary talk with the U.S.-based rival ZS Pharma Inc for about $2.5 billion.

ZS Pharma Inc soared 4.8% to $78.30.

Gerry Weber International AG tumbled 9.8% to 17.34 after the apparel retailer reported revenues in the nine-month ending in July increased 5.1% from a year ago to €630.5 million from €600 million.

Net profit in the period tumbled 48.5% from a year ago to €22.2 million compared to €43.1 million and earnings per share declined to €0.48 from €0.94.

The retailer said expenses for the nine-month period jumped 19.8% to €136.2 million from €113.7 million, including €13.9 million for the acquisition of HALLHUBER and consolidated since February 2015.

Other operating expenses surged 25.2% to €188.3 million from €150.4 million.

J D Wetherspoon Plc slid 0.3% to 717.90 pence after the U.K.-based pubs and hotels operator said revenues in the year ending on July 26jumped 7.4% from a year ago to £1.51 billion form £1.41 billion.

Comparable sales in the year sales increased 3.3%.

Net profit in the year soared 9% from a year ago to £44.8 million compared to £41.1 million and diluted earnings per share increased to 36.7 pence from 32.8 pence.

Jelf Group Plc plummeted 6.6% to 212 pence after the U.K.-based insurance broker and financial services provider received acquisition offer from the U.S.-based rival Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc for 215 pence per share or £258 million.

Murray Income Trust Plc rose 0.3% to 677 pence after the U.K.-based investment company stated revenues in the year ending in June advanced 6.7% from a year ago to £25.5 million form £23.9 million.

Net in the year swung to a loss from a year ago to £11.5 million compared to profit of £68.4 million and diluted loss per share swung to a 16.9 pence from earnings per share of 100.7 pence.