Surge seen if fiscal cliff resolved

MarketWatch 18/12/2012

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Deal activity will likely see a surge in 2013 if a meaningful deficit-reduction compromise can be reached, but otherwise the market will remain stunted as it was this year.

Much of 2012’s downturn was the result of widespread uncertainty over what tax and spending rates will be in 2013. Unless President Barack Obama and House Republicans reach a compromise by the end of the year, the fiscal cliff of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts kicks in.

Brazil’s Vale to Sell Nitrogen Plant to Petrobras for $234 Million

Fox Business 18/12/2012

Mining company Vale SA (VALE, VALE5.BR) will sell a nitrogen-based fertilizer plant in southern Brazil to state-owned energy giant Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR, PETR4.BR) for $234 million, the companies said Tuesday.

Located in Araucaria, Parana state, the plant has capacity to produce 1.1 million metric tons of ammonia and urea from asphalt residue.

Ansell’s moves into Latin America with $73m purchase of clothing firm

The Australian 19/12/2012

ANSELL is confident its acquisition of Brazilian protective clothing equipment company Hercules Equipamentos de Protecao will deliver greater growth opportunities in Latin America and beyond.

The condom and rubber glove manufacturer announced yesterday that it had bought the Sao Paulo-based company and manufacturing plant for about $US77 million ($73m) — its third acquisition this year.

Ansell chief executive Magnus Nicolin said it hoped to eventually grow Hercules’ primary market beyond Brazil.

DSM completes acquisition of Fortitech and strengthens its human nutrition business

Marketwire 19/12/2012

HEERLEN, THE NETHERLANDS–(Marketwire – Dec 19, 2012) – Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Fortitech, Inc. (Fortitech). The transaction, for a total enterprise value of USD 634 million (about EUR495 million) strengthens DSM’s Human Nutrition and Health business, by expanding the company’s value chain presence and adding additional capabilities. As a result of the acquisition, announced on 8 November 2012, approximately 520 employees are joining DSM.

Feike Sijbesma, CEO and Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: “The acquisition of Fortitech is the ninth acquisition in the Nutrition cluster since we announced our corporate strategy DSM in motion: driving focused growth in September 2010. These acquisitions will contribute to the current and future growth of our attractive portfolio in health, nutrition and materials, resulting in stronger and more stable growth and profitability for DSM overall.”

Ernst & Young anuncia a incorporação da Axia Value Chain

Daniela Barbosa , Exame 18/12/2012

São Paulo – A Ernst & Young Terco (EYT) anunciou, nesta terça-feira, a união de suas operações com a Axia Value Chain, consultoria brasileira de gestão.

A incorporação da Axia faz parte da estratégia global da Ernst de ser líder em serviços de Performance Improvement, Risco e Consultoria em Tecnologia da Informação.

Seguradora AIG vende participação na asiática AIA

ÁLVARO CAMPOS – Agencia Estado 18/12/2012

HONG KONG – A seguradora norte-americana AIG vendeu suas últimas ações na asiática AIA Group, levantando aproximadamente US$ 6,5 bilhões e encerrando um relacionamento que remonta a 1919. Para a AIA, que opera em 16 mercados da Ásia, a venda marca um novo começo como uma companhia listada na Bolsa de Hong Kong.

A AIG tem vendido ativos considerados menos importantes nos últimos anos, à medida que paga sua dívida com governo dos Estados Unidos, que assumiu a companhia em um resgate de US$ 182 bilhões durante a crise financeira, iniciada em 2009.

GE pode comprar empresa italiana por US$ 4 bilhões

Daniela Barbosa, Exame 18/12/2012

São Paulo – A General Electric (GE) pode anunciar, nesta semana, a aquisição da Avio, companhia italiana do setor aeroespacial, pelo montante de 4 bilhões de dólares. As informações são do jornal americano Wall Street Journal.

De acordo com a reportagem, o negócio está sendo fechado com o fundo de private equity Cinven – que detém 81% de participação na empresa italiana.