Reuters - Deals Today

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Judge in AT&T, Time Warner merger trial to deny data protection order

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The judge overseeing the Justice Department's bid to stop AT&T from buying Time Warner said Thursday that he would deny a request to tighten protections on confidential data.

British gambling firm GVC seals deal to take over Ladbrokes

(Reuters) - Britain's online gambling firm GVC said on Friday it had agreed to buy British bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral for up to 4 billion pounds ($5.35 billion).

Walgreens to cut stake in Chinese pharma wholesaler JV

(Reuters) - Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said on Friday it would sell a 30 percent stake in a Chinese pharmaceutical wholesaling joint venture to partner Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co Ltd .

Niki administrators pick two bidders for final-stage talks

BERLIN (Reuters) - The administrators of Niki have picked two strategic bidders for final-stage talks over the insolvent Austrian airline's assets, one of the administrators said on Friday.

Roche to buy U.S. cancer drugmaker Ignyta for $1.7 billion

(Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche will buy U.S. cancer drug specialist Ignyta Inc for $1.7 billion in an agreed deal to broaden its oncology portfolio, the firms said on Friday.

Facebook, Universal Music strike multi-year licensing deal

(Reuters) - Facebook Inc and Universal Music Group on Thursday announced a global agreement that will enable users to upload videos featuring music from Universal's library across the social media network as well as Instagram and Oculus.

Deutsche Telekom buys Austrian cable unit from Liberty Global

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom is buying Austrian cable provider UPC from Liberty Global for 1.9 billion euros ($2.25 billion) including debt as it adds broadband services to countries where it only offers mobile operations.

HNA gains Austrian nod for C-Quadrat takeover in respite from setbacks

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - HNA Group's plan to take a majority stake in Vienna-based C-Quadrat Investment AG has gained approval from Austrian regulators, a rare recent win for the acquisitive Chinese conglomerate amid rising global pushback on its deals.

Toys 'R' Us plans new playdate with U.S. shoppers

WALLKILL, NEW YORK (Reuters) - Joshua and Amy Hightower drive 40 minutes to a Toys 'R' Us Inc store in a blue collar neighborhood in Wallkill, one of the farthest reaches of the New York City suburbs, so their children can try toys at an amusement area dubbed the "play lab."

U.S. tax plan overhaul will produce only 'short-term minor boost': Dalio

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. tax overhaul will provide a "short-term minor boost" to the economy but doesn't address investment and productivity, or economic, social and political issues, according to billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio.