Latest news with #Hart-Scott-Rodino
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Colorado becomes second state to require pre-merger notifications
Colorado on Wednesday will become the second state to require pre-merger notifications, regardless of industry. Washington became the first earlier this year, and at least five other states — including California — and the District of Columbia are considering similar rules. Why it matters: States often lack visibility into pending mergers. These new laws aim to change that dynamic, which could increase antitrust enforcement actions. Zoom in: The Colorado and Washington rules are aimed at companies or individuals who are required by federal law to make Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) filings, if those parties do a certain level of business in the respective states. In short, those HSR filings now must be sent contemporaneously to the state AGs. No extra paperwork, just extra envelopes. The big picture: States always have had the right to enforce their own antitrust laws. Sometimes that's been efforted because federal authorities declined to act, such as with T-Mobile/Sprint (which eventually went through). Sometimes it's because states believe a merger presents unique harms to their people, beyond FTC or DOJ suits, such as with Kroger-Albertsons (which collapsed). Often, however, state AGs have found themselves playing catch-up, and it's particularly tough to win antitrust cases once the merger has closed. Behind the scenes: A longtime antitrust attorney tells me that state antitrust officials hold remote meetings at least twice per month, via the National Association of Attorneys General, and sometimes break out into sector-specific groups. These new notification rules appear to allow Colorado and Washington staffers to share the HSR filings with peers, so other states could get added visibility without passing laws of their own.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) Stock Is Up Today
What Happened? Shares of specialty pharmaceutical company Supernus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SUPN) jumped 3.1% in the morning session after Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded the stock to Overweight from Neutral and raised its price target to $42 from $36. The upgrade followed positive developments in the company's planned acquisition of Sage Therapeutics. Supernus announced that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act for the deal had expired. The expiration of this period, a requirement for major mergers and acquisitions in the U.S., removed a key regulatory hurdle, allowing the transaction to proceed. The tender offer for Sage shares was set to expire on July 30, 2025, after which Supernus planned to complete the merger. This acquisition was expected to enhance Supernus's product portfolio with Sage's innovative treatments, a move that likely bolstered analyst confidence. After the initial pop the shares cooled down to $34.30, up 2.5% from previous close. Is now the time to buy Supernus Pharmaceuticals? Access our full analysis report here, it's free. What Is The Market Telling Us Supernus Pharmaceuticals's shares are not very volatile and have only had 6 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today's move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business. The previous big move we wrote about was 12 days ago when the stock dropped 3.2% as several negative developments weighed on the sector. Weakness in managed care providers was a significant factor, with companies like Elevance Health and Humana seeing declines due to an analyst downgrade and a lost lawsuit regarding Medicare bonus payments, respectively. Additionally, some pharmaceutical and biotech companies experienced sharp drops following unfavorable news; for instance, Sarepta Therapeutics plunged after a report indicated another patient death tied to its experimental gene therapy, and GSK's blood cancer drug dosage was voted against by the FDA advisory committee. Broader market sentiment, including concerns about rising costs and inadequate pricing for 2025 plans among health insurers, also contributed to the downward pressure on healthcare equities. Supernus Pharmaceuticals is down 5.8% since the beginning of the year, and at $34.30 per share, it is trading 14.3% below its 52-week high of $40 from February 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Supernus Pharmaceuticals's shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,459. Here at StockStory, we certainly understand the potential of thematic investing. Diverse winners from Microsoft (MSFT) to Alphabet (GOOG), Coca-Cola (KO) to Monster Beverage (MNST) could all have been identified as promising growth stories with a megatrend driving the growth. So, in that spirit, we've identified a relatively under-the-radar profitable growth stock benefiting from the rise of AI, available to you FREE via this link.
Axios
21-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Hospitals scoop up physician practices, driving prices up
Hospitals are steadily buying small physician practices and, in the process, driving up the price of care, a new National Bureau of Economic Research study shows. Why it matters: It's the latest evidence of consolidation in health care that's left more than three-quarters of U.S. doctors employed by health systems or corporations. The pace has quickened in recent years, driven by factors like declining reimbursements for some specialties and expenses like electronic health record systems that have left small independent practices struggling. But that's brought a decline in competition that raises antitrust concerns. "These are thousands and thousands of very small transactions and the question is: What do you do about them?" said Yale economist and study co-author Zack Cooper. "[The Federal Trade Commission] clearly do not have the resources to block every acquisition of three physicians." By the numbers: Between 2008 and 2016, the researchers found the the share of private physician practices acquired by a hospital in the U.S. rose by 71.5%. By 2016, roughly half (47.2%) of physician practices were owned by a hospital. Within two years of physician groups being acquired, the study found, physician prices increased an average of 15.1%. Two years after buying an OB-GYN practice, prices for labor and delivery were up by $475, an increase of 3.3%. Virtually all of the estimated deal valuations of physician-hospital mergers the researchers tracked fell below Hart-Scott-Rodino merger reporting thresholds. The big picture: Health systems see opportunities to achieve more clinical integration and expand referral networks by snapping up independent physician practices. The acquisitions aren't limited to hospitals: Private equity and insurers, and businesses like Amazon, are also scooping up medical practices from doctors fed up with declining pay and high overhead costs. The pandemic and its financial pressures also factored in many physicians' decision to sell: By the start of 2022, 73.9% of physicians were working for someone else, including 52.1% by hospitals and health systems, an Avalere study last year found. Cooper said his research shows prices go up as the hospital acquirers achieve more market dominance, without a corresponding increase in quality of care. "When you buy these physicians, it starves other hospitals of physicians and their patients," Cooper said. The other side: The American Hospital Association said the study relies on data from more than a decade ago gathered from an insurer that itself has become a major acquirer of physician practices. "Hospital partnerships for physicians and their practices can offer stability and resources, including upfront investments, infrastructure improvements, electronic health records alignment and facility upgrades, allowing for the continuation of access to care, especially in rural communities," said Aaron Wesolowski, vice president of research strategy and policy communications at the AHA. He said researchers should focus on corporate insurers and other entities that he said have been the main drivers of physician acquisitions. What to watch: How regulators figure out how to address such a large number of small deals. "We need to start thinking critically about what do you do when an industry composed of three to four people but collectively is 2% to 3% of GDP is getting transformed in the ways that we see them getting transformed," Cooper said. He suggests site-neutral payments, or paying the same rate for services regardless of setting, would stop incentivizing hospitals to gobble up so many small practices. But he believes state policies, such as making merging parties demonstrate benefit before a deal is allowed to go through, would also help.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Omnicom, IPG $13 Billion Merger Wins Shareholder Approval
Shareholders of Omnicom and Interpublic Group of Companies have signed off on the two advertising giants' pending $13 billion merger to create a combined company with over 100,000 employees and revenue of $25.6 billion. Under the terms of the all-stock transaction, IPG shareholders will receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share of IPG common stock they own. Following the closing of the transaction, Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the combined company and IPG shareholders will own 39.4%. 'With an overwhelming majority voting in favor of the transaction, it is clear that our stockholders see the immense opportunity of Interpublic joining forces with Omnicom,' Interpublic CEO Philippe Krakowsky said in a statement. 'Their approval reflects the tremendous potential we have to create one of the most dynamic, client-focused and forward-leaning organizations in our industry that will deliver significant shareholder value for years to come.' 'We are very pleased to reach this important milestone,' Omnicom chairman and CEO John Wren added. 'The strong support of our stockholders confirms the compelling value proposition of the transaction and the leading-edge services, products and platforms it will create for our people and clients.' The final voting results for each company's special meeting will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and will be accessible in filings publicly available on the agency and companies' websites. The deal, which is expected to generate annual cost synergies of $750 million, is on track to close in the second half of 2025, subject to required regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. The Federal Trade Commission has requested additional information about the transaction, which Omnicom says is a 'standard part of the regulatory process' that was issued under requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. 'Omnicom and Interpublic have been engaged with the FTC throughout the regulatory process and will continue to address its queries going forward,' the former said in a statement last week. If the deal goes through, the combined company would have $25.6 billion in revenue, adjusted EBITDA of $3.9 billion and free cash flow of $3.3 billion, based on 2023 figures. The combined company will retain the Omnicom name and trade under the OMC ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange. Both Omnicom and IPG will maintain their current quarterly dividend through the closing of the transaction. The post Omnicom, IPG $13 Billion Merger Wins Shareholder Approval appeared first on TheWrap. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Transcarent and Accolade Announce Expiration of Hart-Scott Rodino Waiting Period for Pending Merger Transaction
SAN FRANCISCO and SEATTLE, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transcarent, the One Place for Health and Care, and Accolade (NASDAQ:ACCD), a leader in health advocacy, expert medical opinions, and primary care, today announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino ('HSR') Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to the previously announced merger between the two companies. The transaction remains on track to be completed in the second quarter of calendar year 2025, subject to Accolade stockholder approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Glen Tullman, Chief Executive Officer of Transcarent, said, 'With this milestone behind us, we are one step closer to bringing together two companies that share a common vision for improving health and care for everyone. By integrating Transcarent's industry-first, generative AI-powered WayFinding solution and comprehensive care experiences with Accolade's advocacy, expert medical opinions, and primary care, we will deliver a solution that creates the next generation beyond traditional navigation.' Rajeev Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Accolade, said, 'We are excited to pass this important milestone and continue our work to join forces with Transcarent. All healthcare consumers deserve the right to make the best decisions for their health and wellbeing, and we believe this combination will empower them with the tools, technology, and empathetic human touch to achieve that goal.' Advisors Evercore serves as the exclusive financial advisor to Transcarent and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation serves as legal advisor to Transcarent. Morgan Stanley & Co LLC serves as exclusive financial advisor to Accolade and Cooley LLP serves as legal advisor to Accolade. About Transcarent Transcarent is the One Place for Health and Care, making it easy for people to access high-quality, affordable health and care. Transcarent offers a number of Care Experiences and WayFinding, a new experience powered by generative AI, that allows people to instantly access benefits navigation, clinical guidance and care delivery including on-demand care provided by physicians and other health and care professionals. Transcarent is aligned with those who pay for healthcare (self-insured employers, health consumers, and the payors who support them) and creates a measurably better experience, higher-quality health, and lower costs. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn or X. About Accolade Accolade (Nasdaq: ACCD) is a Personalized Healthcare company that provides millions of people and their families with exceptional healthcare experiences so they can live their healthiest lives. Accolade's employer, health plan, and consumer solutions combine virtual primary care and mental health, expert medical opinion, and best-in-class care navigation. These offerings are built on a platform that is engineered to care through predictive engagement of population health needs, proactive care that improves outcomes and cost savings, and addressing barriers to access and continuity of care. Accolade consistently receives consumer satisfaction ratings of over 90%. For more information, visit Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook. Additional Information and Where to Find It This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Accolade by Transcarent pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 8, 2025, by and among Accolade, Transcarent and Acorn Merger Sub, Inc. Accolade filed a definitive proxy statement (the 'Proxy Statement') with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') with respect to a special meeting of stockholders to be held in connection with the proposed transaction. Accolade is mailing the Proxy Statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting to consider the proposed transaction. The Proxy Statement contains important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Accolade are urged to carefully read the entire Proxy Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and any other documents relating the proposed transaction that Accolade will file with the SEC or incorporated by reference when they become available because such documents will contain important information regarding the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders of Accolade may obtain a free copy of the preliminary and definitive versions of the proxy statement, as well as other relevant filings containing information about Accolade and the proposed transaction, including materials that are incorporated by reference into the Proxy Statement, without charge, at the SEC's website ( or from Accolade by going to Accolade's Investor Relations page on its website ( and clicking on the link titled 'SEC Filings'. Participants in the Solicitation Accolade and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the interests of the Accolade's directors and executive officers and their ownership of the Accolade's common stock is set forth in Accolade's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 26, 2024, and Accolade's proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on June 21, 2024 (the 'Annual Meeting Proxy Statement'). Please refer to the sections captioned 'Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,' 'Director Compensation,' and 'Executive Compensation' in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement. To the extent holdings of such participants in Accolade's securities have changed since the amounts described in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests in the proposed transaction, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement. Copies of these documents may be obtained, free of charge, from the SEC or Accolade as described in the preceding paragraph. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'continuing,' 'ongoing,' 'expect,' 'believe,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'will,' 'intend,' 'maintain,' 'might,' 'likely,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'target,' 'should,' 'would,' 'could' or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of and timeline for closing the proposed transaction with Transcarent. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this release, and on the current expectations of Company management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Accolade. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction that could delay the consummation of the proposed transaction, result in the imposition of conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement entered into in connection with the proposed transaction; the possibility that Accolade's stockholders may not approve the proposed transaction; the risk that the parties to the merger agreement may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction or other commercial opportunities not being fully realized or taking longer to realize than expected; the competitive ability and position of the combined company; risks related to uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction and disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the common stock of Accolade; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed transaction; the risk that either business may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; the risk that restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction may impact either company's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Accolade to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, vendors, partners, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally; and risk related to general market, political, economic and business conditions. Further information on factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by the forward-looking statements is included in Accolade's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K, the Proxy Statement and other filings made by Accolade from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings, when available, are available on the investor relations section of Accolade's website ( or on the SEC's website ( If any of these risks materialize or any of these assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Accolade presently does not know of or that Accolade currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. Accolade assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Media Contacts:TranscarentLeslie 802-598-3305 AccoladeAccolade Media Relationsmedia@ Accolade Investor RelationsIR@ This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified in to access your portfolio
