VNU cancels IMS deal
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Dutch publishing company VNU has agreed to terminate the merger with IMS Health after nearly 50% of shareholders voiced opposition to the deal, the Haarlem, Netherlands-based firm announces Nov. 17. The deal would have needed approval from more than half of shareholders in order to go through, VNU explained. The company will pay a termination fee of $15 mil. to IMS due to the falling-through of the deal. VNU announced the $7 bil. merger plans in July, but vacillated on the acquisition during the week of Nov. 7 (1"The Tan Sheet" Nov. 14, 2005, In Brief)...