Author: 21st Century Competition

Venezuela: Economic woes force nation to consider Citgo, Exxon sale (Competition Policy International)

Venezuela’s ailing economy is reportedly forcing the government to consider selling its US-based oil refinery Citgo and its stake in Exxon Mobil operations.

Reports, reports citing unnamed sources and a Citgo document, say Petroleos de Venezuela, the nation’s state-run oil conglomerate, is looking to sell Citgo Petroleum and its 50 percent …read more

Sweden/Italy: $3.1B deal propels pharmaceutical consolidation (Competition Policy International)

The world’s pharmaceutical industry continued its trend of consolidation Thursday as Sweden-based drug company Meda announced plans to acquire Italy’s Rottapharm for $3.1 billion.

Reports say the takeover marks the largest merger ever struck in Media’s history.

The pharmaceutical giant had earlier said that it prefers “to eat and not be eaten” …read more

US: AMC, BBC discuss a deal (Competition Policy International)

AMC Networks is reported to be in merger discussions with BBC America, a tie-up that would join two already collaborative television groups.

According to reports, the owner of AMC, SundanceTV and IFC is seeking an acquisition of 50 percent in BBC-owned BBC America, unnamed sources say. The two companies have launched …read more

France: Numericable, SFR brings major competition concerns (Competition Policy International)

Competition authorities in France are reportedly planning an investigation into the proposed acquisition of telco SFR by cable operator Numericable.

Numericable won out in a bidding war to acquire SFR from current owner Vivendi. Vivendi reportedly chose Numericable to buy the assets over Bouygues Telecom, citing competition concerns that both SFR …read more